2026 - Chicago and a Graduation!! . . . and then . . . Las Vegas

jcapurro1
Apr 28
4 min read

Can you believe in all of my many long years, not only of age but of travel, that I've never been to Chicago, unless in a plane waiting on the tarmac counts . . . don't think so!

Next week we (Joe's Mom and Dad, Aunt and Uncle and Nonna) are off to witness my Grandson Joe's graduation from Kelley School of Business at University of Indiana. Hard to believe that this young man who was just a little one "yesterday" is now going to experience this wonderful lifetime milestone. As his Nonna, who didn't go to college, I see this as a tremendous accomplishment. . . and am just a touch envious. Must mention that three other grandchildren (and their parents!) have also climbed this mountain of academia. Kudos to all of them. This graduation is getting blog time, because we are beginning with three days in Chicago. So stay tuned . . .

Tuesday, May 5 - SFO to Chicago

Didn't sleep last night - tried but even though I set three different alarms, knew that 1:30 a.m. would come around too soon. So, I got up at 1:00 a.m., did last minute chores, and waited for the ride to come at 3:00 a.m. Then on to pick up John and Sandi, and Steve and Rose. It's so fortunate that we live in a convenient proximity!

This is a great time to drive to the airport. There were hardly any cars on the road. American Airlines flight on time, and we were soon in Chicago (after I had the benefit of a three-hour nap en-flight!)

Omni Chicago Hotel

Only the kids' rooms were ready, so I hung out for a while with Steve and Rose, and then it was time for us walk toward the river for our architectural boat tour, and on the way find a place for a quick snack. Found an Irish Pub that was very good, had wonderful drinks, and since it was Cinco de Mayo, enjoyed a margherita, sliders, french fries (both regular and crispy sweet potato) and the best nachos ever made - with slow cooked short ribs, a minimum of cheese sauce, jalapenos, etc. I didn't eat all of this - we shared!! Was truly the best ever nachos!!

Architectural Boat Tour

Down to the Chicago River for a wonderful hour and a half float among towering skyscrapers, and a tour guide who must have been an architecture major - she was very knowledgable. Only downside was her use of body, particularly the arms - found myself watching her more than listening to her. We were certain that she must have been a dancer at one time, or perhaps maybe still is!

Rebar in Trump Tower

More walking over to the Trump Tower. So many stairs!!! We had a reservation at Rebar for drinks and sushi. Enjoyed a few hours there where we were joined by granddaughter, Sofia, who had just flown in from Austin, Texas. So good to see her.

Then I begged off anything further and went back to the hotel. Slept without waking for an unprecedented twelve hours, and now feel almost human again.

Wednesday, May 6 - Chicago

. . . but because I did sleep so long, even right through an alarm, wasn't going to make the meet up place for the Art Institute of Chicago. That was really okay. I got ready for the day at my leisure as everyone else went to the museum, and while waiting for them to advise where to meet for lunch, visited the museum's website. Was not overwhelmed with what was offered. Looks to be pretty heavy toward modern art and though I can appreciate some of it, most I don't (or want to!) enjoy. And, while I searched for certain artists that I love and appreciate, realized that the museum didn't have one piece of early California art - such a shame.

For lunch we visited Le Colonial that offered a beautiful menu of French / Asian cuisine. Enjoyed a delicious cabbage and shredded salad, complemented by a very good shared bottle of Sancerre.

After lunch the guys left us and the gals wandered a bit from shop to shop until I saw a Lafayette 148 New York store. Love Lafayette clothing, but had only previously bought on sale, on line, or from the Lafayette website. Had to go into the store. They opened champagne for us, and I bought a blouse and sweater which will go to Italy with me next month.

All of us piled into an Uber van at 5:30 p.m. for a jaunt over to Little Italy, and Rosebud on Taylor Street. Little Italy in Chicago seems to be suffering the same ethnic losses as our North Beach in San Francisco. Lots of businesses gone, and an influx of Asian population. Nothing stays the same, though Steve did say that Little Italy in Boston is still quite wonderful - must put that on my bucket list.

Dinner at Rosebud was wonderful, from their Caesar salads, to their home made pasta, Nonna's "gravy", and their eggplant parmigano is excellent, but way too much for one person to eat! This is what was left after I ate more than my fill, and even shared some.

Charles and Marni also joined us for dinner and they treated us to some wonderful Italian wines!

After dinner we Uber'ed over to the The Gatsby Speak Easy for a cocktail. Don't know if it's a modern day contrivance of a speak easy, or if it was originally one, but given all of the old books and furniture, perhaps it is original!!

Thursday, May 7 - Chicago to Nashville, Indiana