Day Two

Woke up at 6am. Not too bad all things considered. Tried to sleep for longer, didn't really work. Got up at about 8.30am. There was a knock on the door, it was housekeeping. Told them to come back in about an hour and we would be gone. Put on some 60s/70s American rock music and got ready.

As good as our word, we went out at 9.30am. Headed a short distance to this place  http://eggsperiencecafe.com/. Had breakfast -  pancakes with syrup, Ann had scrambled eggs or something. First three pancakes were fine, last one was a struggle.

Headed back to the hotel to get ready to head off across downtown Chicago. Room had not been serviced. Went out again. Bought a two day pass for the Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Bus Co. tour. Caught said bus to our first port of call, The Willis Tower. It used to be the Sears Tower, but now it isn't. Used to be the tallest building in the western hemisphere. Now it isn't. The new WTC 1 in New York has beaten it. Chicagoans seemed annoyed by this.

Walked into the entrance to find that the approximate waiting time to get to the viewing deck was an hour. Seasoned pros like us had already foreseen this and had bought fast track passes in advance. We made it to the 103rd floor in no time. Took photos of the various views across Chicago.

What you talking about, Willis?

The tower has a new feature which we decided to queue for. There are now four glass boxes sticking out from the edge of the tower that you can go and stand in. Whilst queuing, came to the conclusion that people these days don't want to experience anything anymore, they just want a picture of themselves at the experience. Couldn't believe how long we had to wait whilst people took a million photos of themselves and each other doing various crap poses. Of all the people who went and stood out in the box we queued for, only one, a boy of about five, actually looked down. He was utterly transfixed by it and I don't blame him.

When we finally got our turn, we spent most of the time staring down at the gaping drop. We did take a couple of photos, but mainly so we could show you good folk what it was like.

We're Walking in the Air!

As I stepped out onto the glass I was hoping they had built the thing properly. Mum would have loved it!!

After we had had our fill, we headed back down to earth and caught the bus again. Went just one stop before getting off and walking back to the hotel. Nipped to the Subway opposite and bought lunch, then went back to our room to eat it. Room still had not been serviced. Skyped Paul. Knock on the door, it was housekeeping. Said we're going out in a minute, come back in about five and we'll be gone.

Headed out to the Navy Pier. It's a pier. Quite hot in the sun, so sat inside and ate huge ice cream cones. I had chocolate, Ann had something.

Then we made our way to the second major activity of our day, a Segway tour of the waterfront with http://www.chicagosegwaytour.com/. Had to be there for 5.10pm, so we got there just before 5pm. Sat and waited. Filled in a form that basically said if we died or whatever the company were not to blame. Waited for ever. It was meant to start at 5.30pm, hence why you had to be there early to fill in forms and get a bright yellow helmet. People were still arriving at 5.35pm. Man was not happy. Another man who worked there came riding in on a bike quite fast, before turning a corner and falling off. We laughed a lot. Eventually they started the safety stuff and then we got to have a go. Ann was chosen first.

I finally got my own Segway, and when everybody else was up and running we headed on out. Tour lasted nearly two hours. There was the odd bit of trivia but basically it was an excuse to drive a Segway around. Shame we had to follow the bloke really. Our group had one or two incompetent people in it, who seemed to travel very slowly. We stopped for a photo op.

Niles Crane and Daphne.

On the way back, I heard a scream from behind and saw a French girl that was in our group speeding out of control. Luckily she was heading straight at me. She seemed to have forgotten how to stop, so panicked and jumped off. The Segway ploughed into mine. I had seen it coming so was prepared for impact. It was very funny. Man got annoyed with the girl and from then on she had to go at the front with him, the Segway equivalent of the naughty step.

It was great fun and would thoroughly recommend it. Told Ann I want to get my own Segway. She asked why, I said so I could spin around on it.

We eventually finished the tour at 8.10pm, which scuppered our final plan for the evening. We were hoping to head to Lincoln Park to watch a free outdoor screening of Wayne's World, but as we finished late, we couldn't get there in time.

Instead we wandered back home, picking up some cheese and biscuits for tea. When we got back the room had been serviced. Hurrah.

It is now quite late as the computer decided to do some updating so had to wait an age for it to do so.

As ever, Ann is asleep. She has just missed out on this though.

Eventually, they all got back in the trucks and buggered off. Time for bed now.

Bears seen - 0

Moose watch - Low

States Visited - 1