We left the Badlands and made the long drive through farmlands to Chicago. We stayed in the Wicker Park neighborhood for a week, and became quite smitten with the city. The first time we were in Chicago was almost a decade ago, and then it was only for a long weekend. The city has only gotten prettier as far as I can tell. And the food scene has elevated into the stratosphere. We did some typical Chicago things: hot dog, Italian beef, deep dish pizza, (seeing a theme?), craft cocktails, an architecture boat tour, the Willis Tower Sky Ledge, Lake Michigan beach. Neighborhoods: We poked in Wicker Park, Logan Square, Gold Coast, the Magnificent Mile, Viagra Triangle, Humbolt Park, Bucktown, Ukrainian Village. Foods: we ate Japanese, Indian, Latin Fusion, American upscale influenced by India and Mexico, Italian, Chicago street food, hamburgers, Chicago deep dish pizza, Detroit-style pizza. Friends: got to see an old friend and got to make new friends. Gym: we enjoyed being able to go to the YMCA almost every day for a swim and/or cardio work out. Over all: two thumbs up for this fair city.