It's the fourth of July in Chicago and that means celebrating Independence Day. Marguerite is all dolled up for the occasion. The hotel in Chicago was called the Amalfi and a cool wee spot it was too. From 5.30 pm to 7.00 pm every night the hotel held a cocktail reception and provided cocktails, beer, spirits and buffet food - all free. It was brill. It was like hotel heaven!!!! In fact it made sense to go there each evening to get a few liveners before heading out. However there are no pics because when Jude pulled out the camera Marguerite felt wick and made him put it away!!!
Jude chills out sitting on a wall along the beautiful Chicago river.
Millenium park is a cool place in the center of Chicago. It has this super huge bean sitting in the middle of it. Seriously you'd be surprised how attractive a big bean can be. There were loads of tourist geeks like Jude and Marguerite swarming around it like it.
The bean was huge and a great spot for a pic don't ya think.
It's funny but the buildings looked just as impressive at night as they did in daylight.
Later in the evening the lake front in Chicago was the scene of the annual 04th of July fireworks display. Tonight's dinner (topping up on the free stuff from the hotel) was a high quality hot dog. Spot the bag there folks, what's in there?
Jude relaxs on the lake front as the festivities begin.
The fireworks display was great.
Aye Jude dead on.
Marguerite was carrying the wee rucksack bag thingy filled with ice and a few drinks for the festivities. It seemed everyone had similar ideas but there bags were not leeking like this one. Wherever the bag went the trail followed!
'Why the long face?' Wha? Marguerite finds a new friend in Chicago.
Walking back from the park and the auld contents of the bag are taking over so everything becomes blurred, even the pics.
Aha, passing the bean on the way home meant another pic but this time a more artistic approach was taken. Check out the reflection there folks, wha?
Marguerite meets more friends, this time members of the Chicago Police Dept.
Margeurite relaxing in Millenium Park.
Ok folks, it's been said before that America is home to some class cities, well Chicago is certainly one of the best. The river that runs through it provided for some spectacular settings but just like some other cities like Atlanta, San Francisco and Toronto in Canada it had some great architecture.
Today's activity was a trip along the Chicago river and into Lake Michigan. Here Jude makes his way to the boat.
This cool pic was taken while sitting on the tour boat. The building to the left is the Trump Tower while the building to the right is adorned with the stars and stripes in honour of the 04th July holidays.
'Row, row, row yer boat, gently down the stream'.
'Oi, Marguerite look behind you, you're gonna get soaked there mate', yelled Jude.
'Aye, dead on Jude, is it going to rain or something?' 'Wind yer neck in', replied a disbelieving Marguerite. 
'Hehehehehe, told ye, see ye wouldn't listen and now you're soaked, Jude responded.
'Ah sure that was nice it helped cool me down'. Marguerite checks out the view of Navy Pier.
The boat made it's way into Lake Michigan from where the view of Chicago's skyline was very nice indeed.
These 2 apartment blocks were really cool as they stood above the Chicago river.
'Hey Jude, when we're finished on the tour I wanna go to thon pub, it's called Dick's last Resort'.
The tour is over and it's time for a dander around Chicago.
Marguerite stands beside the water fountain thingy that soaked her earlier on today.
A wee break!!
Jude and Marguerite try to stay away from junk like McDonalds food but today they let their guard slip and had one. Bad move. This rare visit only stood to confirm what they already knew - it ain't good gear. Poor Jude had wind for the best part of an hour afterwards - here he is in the park trying to roll about and move it along. He claims this is an old trick that works a treat. It took 30 mins or so but he got there, he finally got there, he moved it along just like he said he would. Try for yourself sometime, it works a treat.
Later in the day and Jude and Marguerite are on their way to that wee open air spot Marguerite spied while on the boat.
The day's activities had taken their toll on poor Marguerite as she cools off with a beer at Dick's Last Resort.
Here is a bird's eye view of the boat we were on earlier, taken from Dick's Last Resort.
The trip to Chicago ended with a visit to Harry Caray's restaurant for a nice dinner (no free hotel food tonight). 'Ehhh, what way's that taxi going there mucker?'
Dinner at Harry Caray's - yum, yum.
And finally there was a quick trip down Chicago's magnificent mile. Chicago - nice!
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