Back From the Windy City

I must admit that the trip to Chicago for the Navy Pier Meet was much better this year. We got there at about 9 p.m. EST. We were spoiled the whole week-end. We had suites at the Four Points Sheraton. Megan spent Thursday night with two other gymnasts in the suite next to mine. We had breakfast in the hotel....the only meal they serve. Then we were off to the American Girl Place. After that we took a taxi to the Shedd Aquarium. What an awesome place. My grandson fell in love with the stingrays. He was pretty amazed by yellow, blue, and purple frogs too.

We had dinner at a Giordano's Pizzaria. It left much to be desired. While the appetizers were good, my girls did not like the pizza at all. Jamie even scraped off the pizza sauce. My sandwich was cold. But, it was overpriced food at it's best. They had eaten at a Mexican restaurant the night before. Food was authentic and good, but they were dumbfounded that it cost $70 for three people.

Then on Saturday there was the meet. Food at Navy Pier just isn't. Had breakfast in a bar...go figure. Loud music so you couldn't carry on a conversation, and sports channels blaring to compete. Not great for the digestion.

The most amazing thing happened just before Megan went to warm-up. Her missing kitty from Texas appeared in the bottom of her travel bag. She had an out-standing meet. Vault was 9.150 and a Silver medal; Uneven Bars were a 9.250 and a 4th place medal; Beam was an 8.925 and 9th place (we will not discuss this as she did not fall on the routine); Floor (by the time we got here I think the judges had been drugged) was 9.25 for a 7th place medal, and all-around was a 36.575 for a Bronze medal.

We managed to escape Chicago with no trouble either. We were home to Lansing by 11p.m. and I managed to make my way to my home by 5p.m.

Next year I think we take the train.