Advertisement
Published: October 13th 2009
Gino's Deep Dish
Dubbed by Spence "Chicago Corruption" I don't know what's windier, the city of Chicago or the politician's hot air. At any rate, this is our starting point for our journey down the mother road- Route 66.
Upon arrival we immediately checked into the Hyatt (thanks to Priceline and for my Wife taking William Shatner at his word) and headed to the original Gino's East for some Chicago deep dish pizza. These Chicagoans aren't bored with redundancies such as cholesterol and blood pressure. I call it, "the heart of Chicago corruption".
The next day we had to try Lou Mitchell's restaurant and bakery for the finest breakfast in Illinois since 1923. This is a must for fellow Route 66 travelers, as it was the original starting point for "the Mother Road". An order of pancakes, eggs, sausage, and hashbrowns are divvied up into much larger potions than most diners we've been to. I feared the couple next to us were upset that my meal was taking up too much real estate, so we stuffed ourselves and hit the road.
Trekking northeast from the diner afoot, we encountered the grandeur of Union Station and Sears Tower (now called Willis Tower). I was intrigued by
Lou Mitchell
Only the owner could get parking that good! Union Station, mainly because of the marble steps leading down to the great hall. Those steps have carried so much traffic over the years since 1925 that they have worn down to the point where you get the "fun house effect" when you walk down them. It's the little things that make me pause and take a second look.
Our next stop was Navy Pier. Opened to the public in 1916, the Navy Pier was designed to accommodate shipping, and entertainment. In the 1930's the shipping business began to decline due to its new competition with trucks and cars and the pier was eventually named an underutilized eyesore. Over a century, Navy Pier encountered many changes, but now it's sole use is entertainment. With cruises, fast-food kiosks, shops, a ballroom, a concert stage, and convention exhibition halls, Navy Pier is an important piece of Chicago history.
Chicago Theater was a definite point of interest on our stay. It still looks like every picture you've ever seen of it, regardless of the decade. And though it's semi-retirement schedule means less activity in the old theater, you can still catch a show occasionally.
Buckingham Fountain is gorgeous, but go
Lou Mitchell
The original starting point of Route 66 at night. With music and lights and dancing water, it almost has a hypnotic effect with the Chicago skyline in the background. This is one of the easier stops since you can park on the street.
As much as Chicago has to offer, we want to get away from the hustle of modern city living to simpler way of life. Tomorrow Misti, Craig, Dottie and myself will begin the journey down Route 66 to St. Louis, MO.
For audio of Spence's correspondence with the "Maule in the Morning" radio show, copy the address below and paste it in your address bar http://kiwi6.com/upload/hotlink?id=le2m8i15
Advertisement
Tot: 0.071s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 8; qc: 45; dbt: 0.0334s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
KBug
non-member comment
Wow!!!!!
Spence, this is utterly amazing. With your narraration and Misti's pictures I feel like I'm walking where you walked and smelling the smells of Chicago!! You really need to consider getting this blog published. You have a WONDERFUL writing talent and the world would love to know it!