Wait! Wait! It's Chicago!

I've long believed Chicago is a terrific city. But if you really want to see it in its glory, pick an unseasonably warm autumn weekend, when the hint of holidays is in the air, the sky is blue and your walking shoes are ready to roll!

I was fortunate to be asked to accompany our station's bus tour to Chicago this past week to see a taping of "Wait, Wait! Don't Tell Me!"

I love this radio show and was eager to catch the taping and have some time for shopping. Even better, several of my friends had signed up for the trip, so I knew I was in good company!

We left early, met our fellow passengers at the bus, and took off very early on Thursday. We drove along Lake Shore Drive, past the Museum of Science and Industry, and close to the Aquarium and Planetariam.

Our driver dropped us off near Water Tower Place, where we had a few hours for lunch and shopping before checking into the Allerton Hotel, on Michigan Avenue, the "Miracle Mile."

It was unseasonably warm. We midwesterners know that Chicago in November can be an unpleasant place, weather-wise. But there were still signs of autumn -- the medians and planters around the trees were filled with mums and ornamental kale, and on the streets you could easily see a display like this one.

It's getting close to Christmas, and Chicago was getting ready, too! Up and down Michigan Avenue, stores were starting to get their seasonal windows in place.

I loved the Eddie Bauer "Paint by Number" look.


Snowflakes always get to me...

...and Fa La La and Ho Ho were words of the day!

Even the trees were getting decked with lights, soon to be bright, I'm sure!

Our hotel, The Allerton, was a boutique hotel on Michigan Avenue's Miracle Mile and it was simply lovely.

Contemporary in style, the rooms were simple and quite elegant (and they had good toiletries). A tad "cool" for my taste, but then as you know, I like being surrounded by stuff.

I'll tell you about one ofmy favorite stores in the next post when I talk about art and other Chicago things, but I have a great dinner recommendation -- The Purple Pig. This is my friend Kate, her husband Mike (you can see some of his Chicago photos here!) and me (photo courtesy of Mike and our waiter!).

This wonderful restaurant is on Michigan Avenue, tucked behind buildings and on the river. It's primarily tapas and every single thing we had was excellent. I would especially recommend the butternut squash with riccota salata and the artichokes with fingerling potatoes.

But really, everything was wonderful. Including the wine!

Then off to the show -- We arrived at the theatre, and were held in the lobby for a bit. (Here's Kate in another pic from Mike.)

They we were escorted to very good seats. (There really wasn't a bad one.) The set was simple -- a table for the panelists and podiums for host Peter Sagal and announcer Carl Kassell. (The top photo below is another by Mike.)


What can you say about host Peter Sagal (he's very funny; In the Q&A after, he told us much of what he has said is scripted, but he also gives the appearance of being very quick).

Carl Kassell -- a veteran newsman who has found a voice -- perhaps on the answering machine of someone you know, if they won the quiz.

The panelists we saw were Tom Bodett (who had attended Michigan State briefly and whose great sense of humor I had discovered in one of his books); Kyrie O'Connor, a blogger/editor with the Houston Chronicle; and Alonzo Bodden, one of the "Last Comic Standing" fellows.

It was a terrific show and the time flew. (Interesting to see what was edited out later -- probably for time.) After they invited the audience on the stage for autographs, photos and questions.

Here's Peter Sagal...

And Tom Bodett -- he'll leave a light on for you!

Kyrie O'Connor...

...and Alonzo Bodden.

Next post I'll take you shopping and to the Art Institute!