Chicago/Michigan

September 22nd found Blake and I boarding a plane in Salt Lake City heading for Chicago.  We stayed the night in the historic Congress Plaza Hotel in downtown Chicago.

The next morning, we toured downtown Chicago from an open double decker bus.

We saw lots of cool tall buildings.

When we were done visiting the sites in Chicago, we got in the rental car and headed for the Stevensville, Michigan....our real destination!  We were excited to see Cindy, Ken and Sydney.  We arrived at their home before they got home from work and let ourselves in.  Blake immediately began making friends of the animals.

Stormy wasn't so sure at first, but it didn't take her long to figure out that Blake was a great friend!

Pretty soon 3 of the 4 cats came to see who was invading their house.

When Cindy, Ken and Syd got home we left for Silver Beach Pizza.  Blake loves the pizza there, he must have said a dozen times that it was the best pizza he's ever had.  I do have to admit that it is good pizza.

When we finished eating we went down to a new fountain by the beach.  Syd loved it and ended up getting soaked.  They were pretty interesting fountains.

On Friday we went to Grand Rapids to a Botanical Garden that also had art and sculptures.  It rained on us for a little while, so we looked at the flowers and displays inside and after lunch in the cafe we were able to go outside and see the entire place.  There were some very interesting flowers and exhibits.

After leaving the gardens, we planned to eat at "The Melting Pot", but it wasn't opened yet, so we saw the movie "Marmaduke", it was a pretty cute show.  "The Melting Pot" is a fondue restaurant, it was pretty fun, and pretty tasty too!

On Saturday, we went to an apple orchard.  We went on a hay ride to get to the apples, we stopped and picked some raspberries and some apples.  Blake, Ken and Syd went to a haunted house, Cindy and I didn't want to go there!  After we picked all the stuff we wanted Cindy, Blake, Syd and I rode on a ferris wheel.  Then we left to go home.  We made apple pie and Cindy made a raspberry pie/dessert that was wonderful.   I didn't get very many pictures of the apple orchard, so you'll have to check out Cindy's blog for more.

Here we are picking raspberries.

We had a great time, Syd and I played some games, Cindy and I played one game, we watched some TV, Blake took Stormy for many walks, we ate good food.  Thanks Ken and Cindy for the fun, food and the great bed!  Sunday morning found us getting ready to head home.  

Stormy telling Blake goodbye!