It was amazing the effect just the presence of a few Bootribers could have — thanks to the The Great Midwest Meetup of 2006, Chicago had spectacularly beautiful weekend weather and the Bears slammed the Bills.
Five of us went on a Chicago Architecture Foundation cruise down the Chicago River where we were introduced to a century of fascinating buildings. The weather was glorious as were the views. And we were treated to a very unusual occurrence of having several drawbridges raised along our route.
We then segued to our picnic at Millennium Park.
blueneck joined up with us at the park easily winning the prize as the most southern “Midwesterner”.
Millennium Park is a charming place with charming green spaces, fanciful sculptures, a striking concert venue, and a beautifully designed garden.
After the park we relaxed over drinks until we headed off for a great dinner at the re-opened Berghoff, now called 17 West (but the creamed spinach was just as great as it always was).
And even though I was told that pictures of the participants were forbidden, I gave into the demands of the folks the Froggy Bottom Cafe (and my own evil nature) and took a group portrait.
(left to right: Kidspeak, MaryB, AndiF, Blueneck, Teach313, JimF
not pictured: poemless)
Special thanks to Mary who did all the hard work of figuring out what, when, and where.
