back from the windy city and beyond!

tuesday
 i woke
 without the aid
 of
 either the alarm clock
 or 
the alarm i set on my iPhone

 arrived at jfk
 in plenty of time 
for
 my crack of dawn flight
 to 
chicago

 flight was uneventful
 we arrived on time
 i picked up the rental car
 and
 settled into the traffic
 that
 is the kennedy 'expressway'

 i believe the economy must be doing well
 as there 
is 
no end
 to the construction
 everywhere 
in 
chicago

 caught up with my friend mags
 who looks fantastic

the fog and drizzle
did not stop us


we headed out to explore the neighborhood
have lunch
and
 do
 a lot of wandering
in and out
 of the shops

 that evening
 we relaxed and ordered in
 we also were planned a leisurely wake up
wednesday morning
 followed
 by a 3 hour drive
 to 
galena 
it lies very west of chicago
 right across the mississippi river 
from iowa 

we had a lot of adventures
including
asking a state patrolman directions
a much needed bathroom break stop
 another stop for lunch

 we arrived
 in
 galena
 late in the afternoon
 but
 like all good shoppers
 we stopped in town
 to look around
 before heading to our hotel
 then
 back out for a late dinner
 of 
appetizers 
at
after 
a must-do if you ever get to galena

 thursday
 we hit the road
 looking for some recommended photo ops
 we got lost 
but 
ended up getting some amazing photos

 back to town for lots more shopping
 another visit to jamie's 
 dinner at
finally
 back to the hotel to collapse

 mags had a bad reaction to something
 and 
was truly sick
 on
 friday morning
 she slept in
i went to walmart for sickroom supplies
 and
 then to the spa
 for a massage
 afterward
 we packed up the car
took one small detour
 for another highly recommended photo op 
then
 back on the road
 to chicago 

when we got back
 mags went to bed 
and 
i amused myself with my iPad apps 

saturday
 she was feeling better 
so we did a little retail therapy in old town
 which is very near her apartment

me with Gio and there's Mags in the background

 i got my weekly hair wash/blowout at her salon
 lunch at
 more shopping
 then
 back for mags to nap 
later
we went to
 for dinner
 another really good inexpensive place to eat if you get to chicago

 i flew home sunday morning
 i get to go back to work today 
(monday)
 and
next week
 lucky me 
begins 
20 days of grand jury duty!!!!

oh yeah
photos
of 
galena
 will be shared 
over at