Part 1: From Chicago to Niagara Falls.

Part 2: From Niagara Falls to Chicago.

Remember to watch the video of this trip: From Chicago to Niagara 2018

Ohio, May 2018

It was time to leave Niagara Falls and start heading back to Chicago.

Click each photo to enlarge

Here we are on interstate 90 with our rented car - a Ford Focus.

Ohio, May 2018

The US interstate system is great and there are many places along the motorway where one can stop to eat, to rest or go to the restrooms...

After a long drive we reached the Best Western near Sandusky.
"Best Western PLUS!" Roger noticed.
Again, our humans were busy unloading and they went inside.
Phew, it was hard to unload our own luggage...

Sandusky, May 2018

By now, our spending budget had reached a critically low level. We had to put all the coins we had found on the road into a pool to buy some coffee.
"We have enough coins for a human sized cup of coffee." Roger said and continued: "Then each of us can dip our cup in the big one..."

Keyna, our seal, wanted to have a bath - actually he wanted to go for a swim.

"How about the sink in the bathroom?" McBear proposed.
"It's kinda small, isn't it?" Keyna felt.

Sandusky, May 2018

Roger discovered we were standing at the large bathroom mirror and that instantly inspired him.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest bear of all? Well, ME, of course."
He could hear McBear yawning behind.

Then Roger proposed that Keyna could use the bath tub.
"Now, that's a swimming pool!" Keyna said delighted.

Sandusky, May 2018

From Sandusky we cruised along the Interstate 90 west towards Chicago. On the way we overtook lots of huge 18 wheeler lorries.

"Wow!" said McBear everytime.

We arrived Chicago and found our hotel: The Marriott right in the down town of Chicago.

Chicago, May 2018

We got a suite and Roger was content!

"Things could be worse, you know" he said as we enjoyed the couch.

The view was fantastic and we could see the skyscrabers in the north and even Lake Michigan.

We enjoyed the days at the Marriott and Roger in particular liked the lobby.

"It's good to be seen," he pointed out.

Chicago, May 2018

The Marriott was located on Michigan Avenue - also known as "The Magnificent Mile".

We went out for a walk and to enjoy the city.

Lake Michigan is connected to the Mississippi River via a canal that runs through Chicago. Normally, a river runs downstream, however, the North River in Chicago actually is an upstream river in that the water flows from Lake Michigan towards the Mississippi.

Chicago, May 2018

The Marina City were completed in 1967 and the two corn-on-the-cob buildings have become iconic in Chicago.

We went along the Magnificent Mile to the Millennium Park. Here, we saw the Crown Faountain, a very popular piece of art and kids love to splash in the water on hot days.

Chicago, May 2018

We also went for a revisit to the "Bean", another popular attraction with hundreds of people taking selfies every day.

The first time we saw the Bean was when we visited Chicago in 2009.

Chicago, May 2018

We also went to the shore of the vast Lake Michigan - it is as large as entire Irish isle - more than 85,000 square kilometers. Many Chicago citizens enjoy the area and exercise in the park.

The last night we stayed at a Best Western not far from the Marriott. We got an entire suite and Roger believed it was appropriate considering it was us...

Chicago, May 2018

The next morning it was time to pack our luggage for the last time.
Roger tried to find room for our business cards.
"There seems to be a good few business cards left..." McBear noticed. "How many cards did you manage to hand out?" McBear asked.
"Well, I... eh... I've been very busy... I may have forgotten..."

We went to the airport and queued up at the business class, however, no staff was there.
"Well... we're actually an hour early, so maybe that's why" McBear said.
"Oh, good," said Tom. "I was afraid the reason was that people just don't take bears serious..."
Shortly after we were able to check in. Now, Roger of course was the only one to have experienced business class. That was years ago when he and one of our humans flew between Dublin and Manchester.

Chicago, May 2018

Here we are in the lounge waiting to board. We enjoyed tea, water and ... wine.

Chicago, May 2018

Finally, we could board the aircraft - an Aer Lingus Airbus A330 as per usual.

Chicago, May 2018

The air hostess asked if we wanted anything to drink. McBear wanted tea with honey, Roger wanted water and Tom wanted champagne.
"Oh, and please leave the bottle here..." he said.