FYI:

There are even Original Pancake Houses in California. The Original Pancake House

Someone told us that we absolutely had to go there when we were in Chicago. I hated to disappoint them as we'd already been to several out here in Oregon; they are headquartered in Portland.

Heh, learn something new every day. Didn't know Walker Bros. was started as an Original Pancake House franchise. It has a nicer atmosphere, but like I said I'm not the best person to judge breakfast fare :p

The_Jazz: Sounds like Friday afternoon will just be you, smeth, and I. Still interested in getting together? We're free if you are. :) I'm partial to Pegasus since I can use my member card there :p, but willing to go to Athena if you prefer! We'd need to be there by 5:00 in order to get to our other event by 7:00.

How about some beers around 3:30 or 4? I'm taking the train, so out by 5 works well for me. Smeth has my contact info (if he's been paying attention), so give me a call if that works.

Speaking of beer...any good places worth specifically checking out? I'd like to make it out to Goose Island's brewpub, but don't really have any other plans than that.

For West Coast style beers, and really all styles of beers, Goose Island is good. We also went to the Hopleaf in Andersonville, which if you like Belgians is a good place to go (we don't like Belgians). The Berghoff's beer is good but mild (to my West Coast palate) and the bar is beautiful--plus, Jazz has lots of cool stories to tell if you can persuade him to join you.

We both like Belgians, but we can get all the same beers here in SoCal. Goose Island doesn't make it out to SoCal much...

Go to the Goose Island Brewery in Wrigleyville, then go a few blocks south and west to Cody's at Barry and Paulina. They specialize in microbrews and have a beer garden. And you can get cabs easily or walk to the El.

Jazz: While I have your number, I didn't want to call since it's late and the spawn might be sleeping, so I'm responding here instead ;)

Tomorrow afternoon is fine. Neither ono nor I like beer, but so long as wherever we go has other options it will be fine. If we're meeting around 3:30 or 4, we can pretty much go wherever works best. We don't need to be in the west loop until 6:30/6:45. So, do you want to meet at Athena or Pegasus, or would someplace else in a different area work better?

Let's make it a gametime decision. If the weather's as bad as today, indoors may be better. Let's try to connect around lunchtime, but figure that we're headed somewhere between the river and Halsted, Jackson to Lake, although there may be other options I'm not remembering.

See everyone soon!

I knew Transformers was currently filming in Chicago, but I thought it was on a pretty small scale. Turns out they're using a large part of the city, and it's gonna definitely have an impact this weekend. So depending on if you want to check out a movie set, or if you want to avoid crowds of people and shut down roads, here's some good info to have: 'Transformers 3' filming to transform Michigan Avenue - Chicago Tribune

It's too bad the giant transformers are all CGI and will be nowhere to be seen :p

We have arrived and are checked in at our hotel! We have an excellent view of a brick wall! LOL!

Who cares about the view?! It is a very nice room and the only times we will be in it are to sleep and have hot hotel sex, neither of which require looking out the window. :thumbsup:

We hit the street closures as they were starting on Thurs night.. definitely fun to walk Michigan Ave with no cars though!

keep us posted..visited chicago 2 years ago...great town

HOME!

Done and done. It was a good trip :)

Agreed! It was awesome! Back to work for today and then I can start going through the 1000+ pictures I took! :lol:

Okay, the first round of pics have been processed:

Chicago 2010 pictures by srroos - Photobucket

looks like you had a grrreeeaatt time~

Awesome... I love #72 :D

Not the best one photographically, but I love the expression on her face! LOL!