...So, after everyone left the reception, we picked up our belongings, and were taken back to my place.
There, while our friends waited downstairs, I wearily changed out of my dress, into something more comfortable. We grabbed our overnight bags, and were shuttled off to our bridal suite, at the downtown Chicago hotel!
I was so, so hungry and tired by this time that D was worried about me. I was very quiet, finding it hard to smile, and had a THUNDERING head ache. I was feeling weak and light headed.
We were dropped off by Fe and M, checked in to the Swissotel Chicago, in which I had sprung for the most expensive room ($400 a night), with the architecture tour, and breakfast the next morning, included.
Up to the 14th floor.
The hotel is triangular in shape, and the corner that looks out over the Chicago River, Navy Pier, and Lake Michigan has the rooms with the best view, and thus, the highest price.
Our room was a bit spartan, if you ask me. Very contemporary, but the view was spectacular. The ferris wheel was lit up, and the city lights were sparkling on the water.
We did notice, however, that a new building was going up a bit to the south, blocking about half of our view of the lake itself.
In Chicago, in the summer, there are fireworks at that area of the lake front every Saturday night. This was why I sprung for the pricey room. So we could enjoy our room-service dinner, and watch the fireworks, on our wedding night.
I took a hot bath while D ordered dinner.
We ate with relish, and D said it was probably the best steak he had ever had, in his entire life. It was an incredibly delicious meal.
I felt somewhat restored. D took a shower, and I spun the champagne in it's bucket of ice.
The fireworks started.
That new building, the one blocking our view to the south, completely blocked our view of the fireworks. So we opened our envelopes, instead, and took account of the cash and gift card haul!
The reservations specialist I had spoken to HAD, after all, said "There's no guarantee that you will be able to see the fireworks, even in that corner of the building, because, depending on wind and weather conditions, they set the fireworks off from slightly different spots along the lake."
Dammit.
I could have sprung for a FAR less expensive room, and had the same view of the river and the pier....but oh well.
We cracked open the champagne.
In the morning, we enjoyed a really wonderful breakfast buffet, dropped our bags off with the consierge, and walked over to the pick-up point on the river for the architecture tour.
I had taken the tour before, and loved it, but so much has changed in the skyline over the ensuing years, that it was just as interesting as the first time.
We had THE most perfect day for it. In every sense of the word!
The sky was crystal clear, the temperature was moderate, the humidity had moved out. It was post card weather.
D loved the tour, and has fallen in love with Chicago, even though it scared him at first. It's a much bigger city than he is used to.
After the tour, we walked over to "the bean," and wandered the park.
I actually guided D on a little tour! For me, this was the FIRST TIME I had EVER been down town without someone else along who acted as "guide."
This time, I was the "expert," and I realized that I know a lot more about my city than I thought I did!
From the park, where we got Chicago style hot dogs and a Coke for lunch, we wandered to the outdoor garden by the Art Institute, and sat there for a while in the shade. Then, we walked back up Michigan to Wacker, and walked up that way, past the markers for Fort Dearborn. We strolled along the river.
Ultimately, we were back at our hotel bar for a cocktail at 1 (it was our honeymoon, come on!!), and we waited for my sister and brother in law to come and get us.
When they arrived, they took us up to Wrigleyville, where we hopped a few bars during the game. D now LOVES Wrigleyville, and has become, somewhat regretfully, a Cub fan!
Then, we took a driving tour of Oak Park, where my brother in law pointed out places from his youth, as well as several Frank Lloyd Write buildings. D is a FLLW fan, as is my entire family.
THEN, we went to Russell's barbecue in River Forest (I think) for dinner. I had, miraculously, never been there. It had been a popular hang out when my dad was a kid, and generations have considered it one of the best places for pulled pork!
Then, back to my sister and brother in law's house, to pick up the gifts people were not supposed to give us, and finally, back home.
So, stage one of the honeymoon was a wonderful, spectacular, bright lights, big city time!!
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