It is Sunday morning while I write this, and we have slept past our usual early rising before 7. Coffee has been summoned by the usual process in a Chicago in-the-loop hotel room, and now I have started to retell my Saturday, starting from the end to the start, and shortening the middle.
Starting with the end, the Majestic Hotel, now the Hampton, has been updated with modern generic hotel rooms that were once offices; it was the tallest building in Chicago when it was built in 1905. The Majestic Theater is also in the building, explaining why the hotel lobby is on the 4th floor. The original (and very dirty) windows are still in place, and the street noise they let pass drove Deborah to put in earplugs. Still, it is a nice room and very well placed.
It was about ten, we were both tired, as we headed to bed, and had just watched Suffs at the Majestic Theater, a musical we saw in Detroit, as we did not even go outside to get in, got rush tickets for $49. The show is magical and transports you into the early-1900s Vote for Women movement. The songs are modern, and while most folks represented in history existed, there is the usual rewriting and dramatization, but it is still brilliant and bright and brings tears to my eyes multiple times. There were cheers from the audience at various parts, and the person playing Wilson, while not stealing the show, was an excellent foe-ally. If Suffs is in your area, dear reader, I would recommend marching to the show.
Jeanne passed on the show and enjoyed a quiet night reading.
Before this, we had a slightly rushed dinner at the local German place I enjoyed the last time I was here. The place was solidly booked, but with some advice from the server, Susan, who would serve us, we found a table for four near a window. I never find German food to be great, but the presentation and taste of the food at The Berghoff’s Adam Street Bar were excellent. I had the Game Sausage Platter with Deborah going for Salmon and Jeanne going for a schnitzel. Everyone was pleased.
Before this, we checked into our rooms, as the trip to Chicago took us multiple hours because the stop-and-go at the toll booths was at least 30 minutes each, and there were two stops. The Hampton Inn rooms are the best we have had and, while not cheap, are cheaper than our recent accommodations. Hmmm. Hilton might move up on my list. Breakfast is complimentary.
We missed the hotel the first time as we just saw the Theater and missed the two-story sign and the one over the door. But a quick circle to align with one-way streets and me not hitting or scaring any pedestrians, we got the Air Chevy in front of the hotel. The non-complimentary valet took the car after we filled two small airport-like carts with stuff.
Going further back on Saturday, I drove the gas car, refilling it for $42, in St. Joseph, from Michigan to Indiana to Illinois and Chicago, paying the usual $10+ in tolls. Navigation mostly worked, and we were on highways most of the trip. I had only one “you-don’t-know-where-you-are” stunt driving, as I skipped four lanes and part of a margin to follow unnecessary instructions.
Sliding the story back more, we stopped at a lighthouse that was open for tours. At first, we thought it was Silver Beach, but the person collecting $15 for a non-local car returned our money, directed us to the next beach, and provided a map. This was a $10 parking fee (collected by an app I have), with us first trying for an hour for $3 (I later updated the time and paid the daily rate, another $7). We then walked out on the cement, slightly damp pier to the lighthouse. The lake had three- to six-foot waves. That often broke on one side of the pier.
We enjoyed walking and talking, but taking care with a sign of the kids who lost their lives jumping off the pier. Lake Michigan has currents, tides, and cold water that can quickly overwhelm anyone. Best not to fall into the water!
Deborah and I climbed the two spiral staircases and one ladder to reach the top of the lighthouse. There, we could see a storm coming in. It was an amazing experience. There could only be about five people at a time, so you waited your turn at each level, and we were glad it wasn’t hotter!
Jeanne joined us to walk to the end of the pier, only to be soaked by a heavy downpour and thunder and lightning. We were getting nautical! We stood in the open lighthouse; the other one was not open until the rain slowed and then abated. We then headed to Clementine’s Too for lunch, a recommendation from our server, Eric, a few days ago. Eric wrote all these out for us.
We were damp (Deborah went out to the car to get dryer clothing), and we enjoyed some pasta and salmon for Deborah, who wanted something simple and not fried.
I am time-boxed. We got up and had the usual industrial breakfast, packed up, and headed out to the beach and lighthouse.
Thanks for reading!
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