A few weekends ago, the Mrs. and I took a trip to Chicago for the weekend. As much as it was a vacation, there is never a lost opportunity when it comes to taking pictures or my company OLE MASON JAR! To sum things up... Chicago has great food, great history and is a great American city. Saturday, May 3rdDepart Charlotte NC | Arrive in Chicago IL | 50 degrees and windy = tip to myself for next time to only come to Chicago in June, July or August | Starbucks warms me up | Check in to our hotel | Grab my camera, and we hit the streets | The Magnificent Mile is pretty magnificent (so is the amount of my wife's shopping bags I will eventually be carrying around later) | Dinner at the Tortoise Club (two thumbs up)Sunday, May 4thBreaking out the Tahoe Grey Flannel for today (cold weather approved) | Sunny Side Up for breakfast | Trolley Tour of Chicago (I very much recommend) | Soldier Field looks like the Coliseum + a UFO | Gino's East Pizza for lunch | More Shopping | More Starbucks | More pictures | Nap | Take the "L" to Wrigley Field for Cubs vs. Cardinals game (Very surreal and an incredible vibe and so much history to take in, a true example that keeping things simple is sometimes better | Chicago loses but that's ok, I am a Braves fan anyways | Back to the hotel and lights outMonday, May 5thIt's a Mulberry Plaid kinda day | Breakfast | Oak Street for only window shopping (Michigan Ave. has some great shopping, but Oak St. is where the real shopping is... Jimmy Choo, Tom Ford, Christian Louboutin , Hermes etc... like I said, only window shopping) | Good conversation in Barney's with a sales associate about OLE MASON JAR (she like my shirt, I liked the idea of being in Barney's) | head over to a great local Chicago shop, Haberdash (OLE MASON JAR approved) | Lots of pictures | Chicago Dog's for lunch | More pictures | Patron Hacienda for dinner | John Hancock Signature Lounge to celebrate Cinco de MayoTuesday, May 6th5:30 a.m. wake up call (early bird get's the good pictures) | My camera, the Charleston Brick Oxford a Venti Starbucks and myself head to the bean (taking pictures at sunrise will guarantee no peeps being in your shots) | Adler planetarium for some skyline shots | Navy Pier | Farris wheel ride for good measure | Garrett's Popcorn for lunch | Airport | Back in CharlotteI have got to give it to Chicago, being my first time ever visiting, I was thoroughly impressed. I am a big fan of New York, so Chicago had some pretty hefty shoes to fill, yet did so in its own way. Chicago will never be as big as New York, have the same history as New York or have the same overall vibe as New York, but it doesn't have to. Chicago is unique and great in it's own way, and that's all that matters. Best,BR
