I'm just beginning to absorb what was a whirlwind tour. I'll be adding to this section as I step back and think about what we've experienced.

Things we noticed: Chicago, and really everyone we met in the Midwest, were incredibly friendly. Customer service folks, be it at our accommodations, on the bus, or in the many attractions we stopped into, were very obliging and went out their way to make sure we had everything we needed, knew where we were going, and were comfortable. Everyone we spoke with had time for us! They love their sports as well... and especially the summertime focus we saw on baseball and the Cubs/Sox passions we encountered.

Planning: I wasn't even sure if a trip would be possible this summer due to work commitments. Taking some down time to plan for this trip "just in case" was fun -Having some structure to guide the actual impromptu decision to go, certainly made things easier. We selected what we might want to do and I arranged those items within day tours that would make the best use of our time and resources. The internet was essential, as we had accessed all travel arrangements, many attraction / entertainment tickets (any that were available) and at least an idea for accommodations all prior to arriving in Chicago. Chicago is a popular city for travelers, so tips gleaned from blogs aided the preparation process.

Citizenry: Big cities obviously have a big variety of people. One would think there should be as many cranky ones as friendly ones. We didn't find any of the former, save a woman worried Monica might take a tumble if she tried to ride on the L Train without holding on to a seat. If we weren't sure where we were going, we asked and were helped along. If we had any questions, we asked and were answered without exception. What a great destination for families.

Summer in Chicago: As for weather, it was sunny, but pretty darn warm for our Nova Scotian climatization. The summertime heat and humidity was something this city is used to making more tolerable with air conditioned trains and public spaces furnished with water and shade. At many of the attractions we visited, we dodged a number of groups of summer campers. It was nice to only have our own kids to worry about. Part of every trip seems to be the throngs of "student groups" - a wonderful opportunity for kids to access attractions, but that kind of trip for kids adds an element of 'Lord of the Flies' chaos. It feels important to give Peter and Monica exposure to a bigger world, and to do that together as a family.

Food: This city allowed us to stay well within our budget while indulging in hearty meals when and where we wished. There were so many good options, even for the fussy, the tired, or the rushed. The hearty 'breakfast included' is a must for our family. Everyone was enamored with the options laid before them each morning. Carrying a few apples, snack bars and water bottles was not an issue at any of our attractions. This helped get us past the mid-morning snacks and prompted a habit of finding a late lunch destination. The "Pot Bellies" chain was new to us and we enjoyed the friendly service as well as the delicious treats (We won't forget our complementary Smoothie there!! Yum!!) We packed sandwiches one day and enjoyed a great summer picnic lunch in the park. The practice of hotels having evening "Manager's Toasts" was something we had never experienced before, but those certainly served us well on two evenings. We don't go beyond breakfast for planning our trip priorities, but Chicago offered more reasonable options than any city we have visited.

Transportation: When in Chicago, use the L. It's safe, clean, cool, convenient, and accessible -but for the tourist, it is the ultimate Scottish Bus tour. Being able to see the city sites, people watch and it is the best bang for your transportation buck. The kiosk for the three day passes was found directly in front of the gates between the airport and the train terminus. The kids are well trained in how we choose to protect these passes-Dad is the keeper and distributor of the passes, just to ensure they remain safe and sound. We liked the L a lot. It was a big change when we left by car to travel to the Museum of Science and Innovation. But leaving early helped and it wasn't that hard with the help from the GPS.