Da Coach! (Chicago, IL) Nov.7-11, 2007

Man! Check this out....a photo with Mike Ditka! Dave and I were recently in Chicago for Dave's business conference for the GreenBuild International Conference and Expo http://www.greenbuildexpo.org/ We made a dinner reservation at Ditka's Restaurant. After a lovely meal we made our way upstairs for an after dinner drink and cigar. Yes, cigars! Dave smoked an Ashton and I smoked a Cojimar Chocolate. While in the cigar lounge who walks into his own restaurant but Ditka! He's very polite and cordial and doesn't mind signing autographs or posing for pictures.

We came to Chicago on Wednesday, November 7. We stayed downtown just blocks from the "Magnificent Mile". Although this particular trip was all business for Dave; we did manage to squeeze in time with friends, family and tourist opportunities.

On Wednesday evening we had a lovely dinner with my friend Claudette. If there ever was a consummate traveler and a blessing to know; it is Claudette. She and I go back to the days of when we each worked for Hyatt. Check out Claudette's travel blog! http: www.claudettetravelstheworld.blogspot.com Here we are at dinner on Wednesday evening at a great Italian restaurant in Little Tuscany, Il Vicinato; she frequents. Talk about authentic Italian! They're located just 15 minutes southwest of the Loop. Also; it's too funny how color-coordinated we all are! I guess we all got the memo about pink.....

On Thursday evening we had dinner at Ditkas. Friday afternoon Dave wrapped up his conference and we bought tickets for an architectural & historical river cruise. http://www.chicagoline.com/ The weather was sunny but cold; especially on the water. The tour guide was fantastic! He was an architectural graduate pursuing his Masters. He spoke rapidly to get it all in and spoke nonstop for 90 minutes. We'd love to do a river cruise again only this time we'll wait until it's warmer.

On Friday evening we were going to attend Claudette's Lion's Club Chili Supper but Dave had a surprise for me instead.

Wickedly entertaining...he bought tickets to Wicked at the Oriental Theatre! We have been wanting to see that show for some time and it's going to be years before it makes its way to San Antonio so on Friday evening we attended the show. It was fantastic; if you ever get the chance to see it; you must!

On Saturday we took the train to Oak Park. I've always been a huge Frank Lloyd Wright fan and wanted to see his home. We were sorely disappointed to find out that the tour was full and even the self-guided tours had allotted all of their ipods so we were left with a map and our own two feet. It was crisp and cold in Oak Park as well and after walking through it all afternoon we made our way into a Borders Bookstore for coffee. That evening we met Dave's cousin Len and his wife Natasha and three kids Faith, Rocky & Eddie for pizza.

So; our time in Chicago was business oriented but we managed to squeeze in a little bit of everything.

We're off to Las Vegas again (geesh; how many times this year?) this week to attend the Air Force Thunderbird Reunion; GO AIR FORCE!

Till next posting!

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