This past weekend I went to Chicago to visit my best friend from the University of Dallas, Deb Conn, along with her husband, Craig, and her two daughters, Allison and Colby. Of course, they don't live in Chicago as they are way out in St. Charles. . . . a much calmer, suburban (almost rural with creeping urban all around) area. But I always make Deb go into Chicago at least once during a visit. This time I specifically requested a trip to the Sears Tower because I was interested in the photo ops it presents (see my trip to the Cairo Tower in Egypt down in the July entries on this blog) and the panoramic view was better than the first time I went years ago when pollution was so bad. Then there is Millenium Park of which I'd seen a news program focus on it recently so I had to go there. And to round out my day, I went to a belly dance class taught by Jasmin Jahal at her new studio on Milwaukee Ave . . . wow, my feet were killing me after the long hike from the underground parking garage near Millenium Park to the Sears Tower and back . . . then I wanted to dance on them!! I had blisters on the ends of my toes and the balls of my feet from wearing my clogs without socks. What a day!! The whole trip was lots of fun . . . a good active touristy day and a couple of nice days just for visiting and running around with family activities. I hope I can go back soon before the girls graduate from high school!!!