Chicago's Willis Tower Skydeck

I've never been so happy to get back to the hotel room in my life. What a huge day, and we have one just as big tomorrow! After breakfast we took the bus down-town and got on the trolley with a riding tour guide. We jumped off on State St and walked 11 blocks all the way to the Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower, where we went all the way up to the 103rd floor. Once there, we stepped out onto a box with glass 3cm thick, that protrudes outside of the building. I've never done anything like it before, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

That is a long way down

Even Gena braved it out onto the glass

Once we were done with that, it took 45 minutes of walking in circles - or squares - until we got a bus down to Navy Pier. We booked our tickets on  the Tall Ship 'Windy', where we would be taken out on a cruise of Lake Michigan (a lake bigger than New Hampshire & Vermont put together). While we were waiting for 4:00pm to come around we went and played a round of Mini-Golf. Guess who won? Still giving Bluey sh*t about it (;

The time had come for our voyage out on the Tall Ship. Bluey & I were recruited to assist in hoisting the sails once out of the dock (it seemed like a good idea at the time - but in truth, was very hard work. There were 'pirates' on board that put on a re-enactment of the 1812 US-British war, which was very entertaining. Bailey, being Bailey, approached the Captain and asked if he could steer the ship for a while and what do you know - the captain said yes. We have never seen Bailey concentrate so hard or listen to instructions like he did today. Overall, we all thought it was a great experience, the fact that it had a bar was the clincher for Bluey.

Bluey hoisting the Main Sail

Chicago from Lake Michigan

Captain Bailey at the Helm

We had some tickets left for the rides so we went and played another round of mini-golf (apparently the first game was a warm up). And accordingly I won again, didn't celebrate way over the top either.. They had a ride call the 'Wave Swinger', a ride that basically spun you in a circle for 5 minutes. Bailey went on it first, then I went on it with him on the second time. Once we got off the second Bailey was gone - couldn't find him. I went back to where Gena & Bluey were to find them laughing, I followed their eye-sight to see Bailey, head over a rubbish bin, draining the contents of his stomach out his mouth. Problem is the little bugger came back brand new, wasn't sick or anything.

Not sure this was supposed to be happening in mid-flight?

Bailey just before he tossed the cookies........

We were going to finish the day with a trip to the Aquarium but we were all wrecked. As we were walking out of Navy Pier, a waiter got talked to us and next thing you know, we are dining at his Italian Restaurant. I'm really glad we did, it was delicious and we didn't have to walk any further - perfect meal if you ask me.

Got an early morning tomorrow, trying to fit in all the museums, art galleries, aquariums etc. Gonna be another huge day for our last full day in Chicago before we leave for Detroit!

~Riley.