Chicago (2015) (Alone)

We were both home together for a couple of days before I needed to go to Chicago for a work conference. I headed North on Sunday morning which was tough since Jackson and MacKenzie were snuggled in on the couch looking adorable! 

How could I leave these two cuties?!

The drive was boring, but I suppose that is better than being eventful. I hate Lake Shore Drive but could not avoid it due to my hotel's location. It was a pretty day to be stuck in traffic at least. :)

I stayed at the old Drake Hotel in the famous Gold Coast area of the city. The parking was $48 a night down the street from the hotel. It was $68 to park at the hotel. INSANE. 

Lake view from my room

Tiny beds?!

Since this was a work conference I didn't get to select my room. I guess our travel department didn't want me to have a nice, large bed so I was in a room with two TWIN beds. I seriously woke up the first night afraid I was going to roll off!!

Cityscape

The conference was pretty good, but I skipped one session to go for a walk while it was still daylight. The view from the lake shore was pretty incredible.

A stroll along the shore

I love panoramic shots :)

Me leaving a space where Jackson should be.
Fun fact: I also dined at the top of the Hancock Tower that evening!

A few of my other tax friends were at the conference so we went to the ultimate tourist dinner at the top of the Hancock tower. The food was pretty good, but quite expensive. I did pretty well with my fear of heights. It was not until the bathroom where you had to walk up against the windows to get to a stall that I thought my heart might give out. Progress!

Dinner with a view

I had just read a book about a character who was fond of the bar at my hotel. I decided to hop in with an accountant friend from Texas to check it out. She convinced me to have a couple of drinks with her. We had a good time and I eventually stumbled up to my room a lot poorer (they are proud of everything in this city $$) and a little less steady! HA! 

Deep Sea margarita? Yes, please.

Historic bar

I was in town from Sunday until Wednesday afternoon so I also got the honor of catching up with my roommate from IU, Jenna. She lives in Chicago and works at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business (super fancy!). It was SO good to see her and catch up. She's got to be one of the best things that came out of my short time at IU,

Dinner and dessert with the camera-shy JBH!

The conference wrapped up and I headed home to Jackson and MacKenzie. It was nice to be in the city for a few days, but home with my two loves is always the best place to be!