TravelingFive: When public transportation, a large city and simple people don't mix--Day 9 Part 2

After a whirlwind and plenty of walking down the pier we set off for the next experience, except we weren't sure where and how.

TIP#9 TAKE THE EXTRA EFFORT TO GET MAPS OF THE CITY, NOT JUST THE STATE. BUY IF NECESSARY BUS MAPS AND NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK FIRST BEFORE WANDERING.

About 30 minutes later, we ended up taking the free trolley back to Navy Pier and asking directions to the bus stop (which was just left of where we originally started:)

Then human error stepped in...Our next stop was the Sears Tower, but there happens to be a similar tall tower on the way. Dave urged us out early and we ended up walking the rest of the way (almost two miles). We definitely saw more of Chicago and by the time we reached Giordano's Pizza we were super starving. Along the way we walked along the Chicago River, saw a photo shoot with models (earlier that morning we watched a car commercial be filmed on a closed off street. FUN!

At the Chicago Tribune, the exterior has	pieces from Europe's buildings like this Royal Castle in Sweden	Doors of the Trubune
Inside were two radio DJ's taping a show

TIP#10 MAPS NEVER LEAD YOU ASTRY...PEOPLE DO!

Dinner...We've consumed the famous Chicago dogs, today it was the deep dish pizza. It was amazing and a regular filled up our family with extras.

Our tummies full and skies clear, we headed to the Sears Tower. The lines were crazy (probably from the morning/early afternoon being covered). Finally we saw Chicago from the highest tower in the country (only recently surpassed in the world). An amazing view. It emphasized the length of our walk and the huge area that Chicago encompasses.

In the tradition of every tourist we waited our turn to step into the secure window box and stand 103 floors above the ground. Now, I'm leery of the kids falling...those daredevils, but standing on this ledge was a piece of cake. Dave topped it off with a headstand and an applause from the crowd.