props to Chicago and Indiana Dunes

We decided last minute (surprise, surprise) to go to the RSL - Chicago Fire soccer game in Chicago to watch our favorite and currently first place soccer team!

Quick rundown for ya: we spent our first day and night at the Indiana Dunes with our rad friends the Bruncliks... this doesn't look like Indiana does it? It was the most dreamy trip (minus the rain in the evening and morning, and the too-hard-to-sleep-on ground... what grad students have money for sleeping pads? I swear, I won't go again until I have one to sleep on!) Anyways, our two mile hike in the sand took us two hours due to, well, sand and blueberries. We played on the beach, and grilled at our camping spot. We woke up to lots of rain - our pancake breakfast was cooked underneath the picnic table and had to be eaten in the tent. Then we headed out to Chicago!

I have so many things to say about Chicago... impressive, friendly, expensive (parking and toll booths for 1 day cost about $50), beautiful buildings, hustle bustle, clean, big. We spent most of the day at Navy Pier at the Children's Museum and walking around. I felt so out of style with all the beautiful people there. The skyline view from the ferris wheel was amazing with the mist, not to mention frightening. We had another hour to kill before the game, which we spent driving around downtown checking out the sights. We really wanted to go to Millenium Park, but didn't have enough time to park and really see it. I felt kind of overwhelmed being there - we didn't know beforehand that we would be able to spend the day there, so we went in a blind - six hours is definately not enough time to see Chicago without more of a plan. I hope I get to go back in the near future and stay a couple of days.

The game was so fun! We were hoping for a win, but were happy with a draw. We got close enough to the players to yell their names and wave - we got smiles and waves back from Kenny Cutler, Matias Mantilla (Ty yelled "Hola Matias" and he gave a smile and a wave back) and a nod and wave from Robbie "blazing fast" Findley. It was so exciting to be there. I must give the Chicago Fire and their fans props, there was so much energy there. Their stadium rocked, fireworks, huge crowd, tailgating, mascot. I'm sure in a couple of years RSL will be there as they're still such a new team. I loved watching Javi and Beckerman play. Such a fun event for the boys!