Good morning everyone! You’re almost to the weekend – it’s just a day away, no frets 
Soooooo – my bags are packed…because I’m heading to Chicago! Yesiree it’s girls weekend and I, for one, could not be more excited I haven’t been back since Snuggie-gate and two of my friends have gotten new apartments in the city since then. Can’t wait to check them out and spend some quality time with the ladies!!
Since I’m heading to Chi-town – I thought maybe I’d give you a few fun facts about the city Did you know (images from Google):
1. Chicago is home to three of the world’s tallest buildings, including the 1450-foot Sears Tower.
2. The first Ferris wheel made its debut in Chicago at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Today, Navy Pier is home to a 15-story Ferris wheel, modeled after the original one.
3. Founded in 1868, the Lincoln Park Zoo is the oldest free public zoo in the country and is open 365 days a year!
4. Chicago-style pizza is a deep-dish pizza style also referred to as "stuffed" pizza. True Chicago-style pizza features a buttery crust which stands up to 3 inches tall at the edges, slightly higher than the generous amounts of cheese and chunky tomato sauce, acting almost as a large bowl. Edited to note that this.stuff.is.incredible.!!!!! Whenever Ben and I go to Chicago, we buy one to bring back and snack on for the next couple of days. Is that gross?!
5. Cloud Gate, a public sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor, is the centerpiece of the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park within the Loop community area of Chicago. Constructed between 2004 and 2006, the sculpture is nicknamed The Bean because of its legume-like shape and is made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together.
6. For over 40 years, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers turn the Chicago River green for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebration.
These are just a FEW of the things that make Chicago such a unique and amazing city. I just love that Bean, by the way. A lot of people get their engagement photos done there…that would have been really cool, eh? Also – a couple years ago I was in Chicago for St. Patrick’s Day and MISSED the green river!!! I don’t know WHAT I was doing…but I will definitely have to make a return visit in the coming years to make sure I check that out!!
In preparation for my travels, I had a small breakfast today. I wasn’t all that hungry to begin with (I know, weird) and I don’t like to travel on a full stomach anyways. So, I had a simple Fruit Bowl.
I sliced up my apple variety of choice – a Braeburn apple.
and snagged the last of the best cantaloupe ever!
This is a perfect traveling breakfast. It’s light, refreshing and it will also keep me hydrated. A lot of foods are actually good at keep hydration levels up – which is the key to comfortable traveling, in my opinion. Vegetables including:
- lettuce
- spinach
- corn
have very high liquid contents. Fruits including:
- watermelon
- strawberries
- oranges
are among the juiciest type of fruits. Obviously these foods shouldn’t replace drinking water – but hey, every little bit helps!
Ok, I’m ready freddie – here’s to safe travels and a great weekend!
~~~~~
What’s your preferred pizza type? Chicago deep dish? Thin New York style? Simple hand-tossed?
I don’t discriminate when it comes to pizza…I’ll eat it all!
Wave to me when you drive through the QC!
Just an FYI if you didn’t know….the eastbound lanes (At LeClaire) are closed due to roadwork. You will want to follow the signs and take the I-280 exit right before you hit the Quad Cities.
Have fun! I may be going to Chicago this weekend also. My fiance is flying in to O’Hare from Hong Kong and doesn’t want to wait for his flight to Moline
I’m ready freddie. I love that!
Have fun!
that’s crazy about the green river! I’ve never been to Chicago, but I would love to – especially for the pizza
After reading a couple of your posts about cantaloupe, I decided to take your advice. You couldn’t be more right. Juiciest cantaloupe EVER! Wowza!
Enjoy Chicago! Best pizza choices for deep dish are Pequods, which is hands-down the best deep dish in the city limits, Art of Pizza (although I prefer their thin) and Lou Malnati’s, who also have delicious salads.
Piece is my favorite pizza place in Chicago, but it’s actually a thin crust NY style place! I love the thinner wood fired pizzas. Have a great time–I love Chicago in the summer!
Ooh, that’s so exciting! Have fun in Chicago! I love homemade gourmet pizza–my favorite so far is a sundried tomato basil pesto spread with goat cheese crumbles, sundried tomatoes, and spinach
I too don’t discriminate my pizza!
Have fun in Chicago!
I really do like any kind of pizza, but you should check out Piece when you’re in Chicago. Great New Haven style pizza (very thin crispy crust) and lots of unusual toppings – my fave is tomato, basil and goat cheese – soooo good. It’s a brewery too – good stuff!
Can’t wait for you to get here! But drive safe!!
ohh I remember going to the Sears Tower! It was so much fun!
I always have a fruit bowl before I leave because its so hard to find fruit while traveling!
Oh I love Chicago! I’m obsessed with the bean! Have fun!
I love Grassano’s pizza in Chicago!
NY Thin is my favorite.
Have a fantastic time in Chi-town!!!
Chicago looks awesome, have fun! I love pizza of all kinds…I’m not picky.
Are you going to check out The Ledge while in Chicago? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/us_sears_tower_ledge I hope you have a great time!
I love pan pizza
I pretty much will devour whatever kind of pizza you lay in front of me but I am a big fan of the deep dish style on occasion. My go-to however is the Italian or New York thin crust – wood fired oven pizza is my hands down fave.
And…now I’m craving pizza and it’s 11.00am and there’s no way that’s happening! Thanks a lot!
JK. Have an AMAZING trip and a lovely time catching up with your girlies. Sounds just fabulous!
Enjoy your trip! Girls time is a must!
I’m sorry, you showed us so many gorgeous pictures of Chicago, but my mind can’t help being engrossed by that pic of the deep-dish pizza! I actually prefer thin-crust, but deep-dish sounds fab, too! never had it before though.
ENJOY YOUR TRIP! It’s gonna be SO much fun! (And please have a taste of that delish pizza for me! >.<)
HOLY MOLY that pizza looks incredible! Enjoy a slice for me!
I really do love New York style thin crust, but rarely get it. A local pizza place makes a normal crust that is AMAZING and garlicy. That is my fave!
Have a fun and safe trip!! I don’t discriminate with pizza either! I will eat any type of pizza you out in front of me!
Oooo how fun! Have a wonderful time in Chiacago at Girl’s Weekend!!!
Can’t wait to see the pics and read the recap.
Be safe and have a blast!
Take care lady!
I love thin crust pizza with a lot of herby tomato sauce and just enough melted cheese to not overpower anything–just like the pizza in Italy.
Chicago is one of my fave cities! I am headed there in August, so I’ll be taking notes as to what spots you visit/enjoy!
I really like doughy pizza–not sure what category that falls under, but I know I have never had deep dish. Sounds yummy though.
Thin NY style, but it would have to be Gluten free…lol!!!
Have fun,
Pam
http://www.alovefornewrecipes.blogspot.com
i LOVE chicago!! have fun
and i usually eat thin crust pizza but of course when in chicago, that is not the case!