CHICAGO

David and I extended our travel time around the U2 concert to enjoy the sites of Chicago. I had not been to Chicago since high school so had a much different perspective of the city this go around. Plus, we had great tips from friends on places to see and eat that made our trip even better. This was our first trip away from both boys for a four day getaway...thanks to our parents!!

We enjoyed the beautiful view of the city from the Navy Pier.

You can't leave Chicago without some deep dish pizza (two times in our case)! We grabbed dinner one night with the family of one of David's friends. I am so sad that I didn't get a picture of all of us. I enjoyed finally meeting Pat and his wife, Holly and their three boys. David and he were friends the one year that David went to Butler. (They also went to the U2 concert!!)

Our first day in Chicago we strolled through Grant Park and also Millenium Park seen in the picture above.

A view of the beautiful architecture in Chicago during our architectural boat tour (thanks to all who gave us this tip!).

Another great view of the city from the boat.

We also toured the Art Institute and saw many famous paintings.

Our hotel was in the perfect spot for our stay. We were right on Michigan Avenue and had a beautiful view of the Navy Pier from our top floor window. We actually were able to watch the fourth of July fireworks from our room and didn't have to fight the crowds. It was also an easy walk back from the U2 concert which of course was key. :) Hoping to visit Chicago again...a little sooner than the last time.

U2 Chicago

The day after the U2 concert in Nashville, David and I headed to Chicago for the next leg of the tour. We are not groupies...I promise! For the two previous concerts, we had tickets for reserved seats. We decided to do General Admission for the Chicago show to try and get a closer experience. However, in order to get this closer experience, we had to give up an entire day of our lives to waiting in line. We arrived at Soldier Field at around 8:45 a.m. on the day of the concert. We were not the first to arrive...ha! We were #523 and #524. Thankfully, we were positioned in the shade so this was the first of many things we were grateful.

We quickly made friends with those around us who were from the varying states of Ohio, Wisconsin and Kentucky. Each group had a different experience with U2 and a different reason for being there. We came prepared to wait out the day with cards and books but found that the conversations with those around us moved the time more quickly and didn't even need these forms of entertainment. Due to the warm weather, the stadium and U2 were concerned for our well-being and wanted everyone in the shade. So, the first 700+ of us GA's were moved to the inside of the stadium. Here we are inside at our new spot in line.

Three different times we were given "markings" to determine our "place." We were given our "un"official Sharpie # that marked where we were upon arrival in line. We then were given green bracelets to mark that we were general admission ticket holders. The black stamp was given to us for entrance in/out of the inner circle once we made it inside.

We had to choose our spot quickly once we were let onto the field of the stadium. We decided on the back railing of the inside circle so that we could get a full view of the stage, screen and have a level view of the outside ring where all four band members at some point during the concert would walk past us. We also had the bonus of being able to lean against the back railing, which was a life-saver on our backs!!

Here are a few shots during the concert. I had hoped to get better shots but it's difficult when it's dark and they are moving quickly. But I was able to capture the proximity of ourselves to the band.





At then end of one of their songs, it began to sprinkle for just about a minute. However, it was long enough that they put up their umbrellas on stage. How cool are they?!!

The entire day was an incredible experience and worth every minute of the wait! I would do it again....no, I don't have tickets for another show...yet! ha!

U2 Nashville

David and I are pretty big fans of U2...okay they are my favorite band. We saw them in Atlanta in '09 on this same 360 tour. After that show, all we wanted to do was see them again. So, we bought tickets for their proposed show in Chicago in July '10. Bono hurt his back and all concerts were cancelled for the rest of the year. Our show was rescheduled for July '11. THEN, they announced they were adding a show in Nashville just three days prior to their Chicago show. We couldn't NOT see them in our hometown. :) So here we are at the Nashville show.

We caught dinner with friends before going to the show in Hillsboro Village. It was fun walking from dinner to the concert and seeing so many familiar faces along the way. It seems like almost everyone we knew from Nashville was going to the show.

What a fun night, especially when Bono referred to having dinner the night before with people like Jars of Clay, Amy (Grant), and Michael J. Smith (I will now also refer to Michael W. Smith as Michael J. Smith...if Bono says it, it's TRUTH. :))