Bob and Demetra ib Chicago: 2008 Visit

The story of Bob and Demetra's 10-day vacation in Chicago, from July 15 to July 25, 2008.

	Leaving Eugene.	We left Eugene, Oregon on Tuesday, July 15 with the remains of a home-made blueberry-tapioca pie, headed for Alistar and Natalie's house in Portland. There we left the remaining pie and Bob's Mitsubishi with Alistar and caught our plane to Illinois from the Portland Airport. At the beginning of the flight we could see a large wildfire on Mt. Adams, in Washington State.
	Helen's Place.	We arrived at Midway Airport near Chicago, just about midnight. From there we took our Korean rental car to Helen Harpers's house in Western Springs. Helen is Demetra's cousin and was our wonderful host and map provider during most of our stay.
	The Mustard Seed.	On Thursday evening we attended an AA meeting at the well-known Mustard Seed, in north Chicago. We had been encouraged to attend a meeting there by our common friend, Will, who had started his sobriety in Chicago 27 years ago, and had attended meetings at the Mustard Seed during that time.
	The Bean.	During the first days of our trip we received an email from Jeff Gruen, Bob's friend in Corvallis, Oregon, who encouraged us to visit "The Bean" in downtown Chicago. After treating us to a great Italian lunch, Bob's younger brother, Jeff Adams, took us on a walking tour to The Bean. This famous sculpture actually has a much longer name, but most people call it the Bean.
	Chicago Art Museum.	After visitng the Bean, Jeff gave us tickets to the Jersey Boys play for that evening. Because the play did not start for several hours, we used the time to visit the Chicago Art Museum, which was featuring an historical art exhibit from Africa. Jersey Boys was a Broadway play and was sold out. Our tickets were front row balcony seats. Singing and acting were great, and the play was another highlight of our trip.
	The Wedding.	The wedding of Demetra's niece, Katrina Kalamatas, and Michael Bates took place on the evening of July 19, beginning at 7:00 PM at the Arlington Racetrack. Friends and family then gathered for dinner and a night of music and dancing to celebrate with the new married couple. Katrina's father Chris, Demetra's brother, gave the bride away, and her sister and brothers served as bridesmaid and best men. Michael's daughter was flower girl.
	Chicago Architecture.	On Sunday July 20, the morning after the wedding, we took a 90-minute boat trip up the Chicago River to view the City's fabled architecture. The tour guide was a knowledgable architect herself, and presented an informative, detailed history of the building of Chicago.
	Chris's Place.
	Wisconsin Visit.	On Tuesday we followed Jeff to the family's lake house in Wisconsin and toured all three Lauderdale Lakes in his new boat. The next day we went to "Old Wisconsin," an outdoor museum featuring actual historical homes, plants, and animals. Then to the 3500-acre Scuppernong River prairie restoration project, where we hiked through wildflowers and oak woodlands and were attacked by hordes of mosquitoes. That evening Jeff and Deme took Bob to school in a Scrabble game.
	Cub's Game.	On July 24 we left the lake house and drove to downtown Chicago, where we caught the El Train to Wrigley Field for the Cubs-Florida game. Jeff treated us to front row seats and we purchased "Chicago Dogs" for the game. Zambrano was the starting (and winning) pitcher, and Ramirez came out of his slump. Chicago won going away, the "Win" flag was raised above the scoreboard, and almost everyone stayed after the game to sing "Go Cubs, Go!"