Chicago:  Part One

It's a long way to Chicago by car, but luckily the bibliophile, Evilducky, and I had lots to do to pass the time. Crocheting, for instance, or keeping an eye out for a ridiculously huge corrugated metal cross near Effingham, IL:

After a very, very long, stuffy drive, we arrived at J-Dog and Nick's new pad in Forest Park. There, we were greeted by the lovely family dogs, Maggie and Bodhi (alas, I didn't get any pictures of them) and the impossibly fluffy cats, Morgan and Keenan:

After dismantling a microwave cart and helping with the assembly of a compost bin, everyone went inside for dinner, followed by a few rounds of Mexican Train dominoes and the most hilarious cereal ever:




On Friday, we went to Giordano's for lunch, then headed to the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio. I didn't know much about FLW, and didn't even realize he did most of his early work in Chicago. The tour was really wonderful, even if they didn't let us take any photos inside. I'd never really been exposed to much of FLW's architecture before, and it was a very cool experience.





Since we weren't allowed to take pictures during the tour, here are some postcards of the interior instead:

studio reception room, drafting room fireplace, and dining room

the octagonal library and master bedroom

This is my favorite room in the house, the children's playroom.

After the official tour and a spree at the gift shop, we walked down Forest Avenue to see a few more of Wright's houses.

the Moore-Dugal house

the Heurtley house and the Frank W. Thomas house

After we'd finished acting like paparazzi, we met up with Nick and hit the yummy Corner Bakery for a slightly early dinner:

Pardon me.



Next time:  Lush and the Art Institute