Welcome to Chicago! – U.S. Explorer

The U.S. Explorer checks in from Chicago

When we say X, you say R… When we say 1, you say 9…

We had an amazing time in the city with big shoulders… also known as Chicago! On our way into town, our first stop was at the famous bean in Millennium Park. So many of us took creative pictures in the reflection. Our group photo may have been the most awesome one we’ve taken yet!

Then we were off to a  White Sox game. We warmed up for the game with a Take Me Out to the Ballgame sing along! It was Abby’s first baseball game,and she said it was awesome! Lee, Tyler, Evan S. and Zach G. while exploring the park got right behind the Blue Jays dugout. Although Tyler was rooting for the Blue Jays , he was excited to watch the game and was excited for the fireworks after the Sox hit a home run.

We then checked into to the beautiful Omni hotel, located in the Chicago downtown area that is also known as the loop. For dinner, we devoured a Chicago delicacy -  deep dish pizza. At Gino’s you are also able to sign the walls. The XR19 legacy lives on… go to the 3rd floor and look at the sconce on the chandelier all the way in the back right corner.

The next day, we went to the Museum of Science & Industry, where everyone enjoyed checking out the exhibits. The favorite include the submarine, the airplane/trains and weather the exhibits. Mabil said she liked the exhibit where a machine takes a picture of yourself and you can see what you would look like at the age of 70 years old! Grant was amazed at the size, and said he looks forward to coming back see more on his next trip to Chicago.

After dinner at Sopranos, a delicious Italian restaurant, on our walk to Blue Man Group, we passed a park and spent a few minutes reliving our childhoods. Zach G. pushed Delilah on the swing. Kyle and Aaron got into a water fight. Sam E. swung on the monkey bars. Brandon and Noah went on the seesaw. Quite a bit of monkeying around!

The Blue Man Group was spectacular!  An incredible production! The highlight for many of us was the Rock Concert moves and having the chance to play with huge inflatable balls in a club-like atmosphere. Our front row seats also made us targets for banana  splatter and other concoctions. Zach R. made it onto the big screen when the group came into the audience. Alexa said she really liked the show and thought it was funny. Evan A. loved when the group played drums while paint splattered everywhere.

In the evening, Rickey said that his rose was the show. Zach G. said watching a baby chicken be born at the museum was unreal.

The following day, we went on a bike tour that offered  incredible views of Lake Michigan. We rode all along the water and even stopped at the Lincoln Zoo,. Emily and Seryna ran to look at the zebras. Matt said that he thought the gorillas were cool. For Jonah F. the highlight was the views, specifically of Navy Pier… which is where we stopped for lunch!

We then went to Willis Tower, the tallest highest building in the western hemisphere. Prior to our arrival, we watched Modern Marvels and  learned that the Willis Tower rises 1,450 feet high; that is the length of  five football fields. The Ledge on the 103rd floor is a pure glass outlook that jets out over the street below. Nikki took a picture of herself doing a hand stand on the ledge!

We stopped for dinner at Flat Top Grill, a make your own stir fry restaurant. We had many vegetables and sauces to choose from, and it was interesting to see the cool combinations everyone put together!

The next evening we went to the Second City Comedy club. It was a great show that included audience participation! We yelled out many suggestions for improvisation topics, they were so funny! Jonah F. said the show was hilarious. Zach G. said that his favorite part was when the actors pretended to play tennis and a song about when the world is going to end. Jamie enjoyed meeting one of the comedians after the show. Chase and Gary said they appreciated the comedy – and liked that the troop tried out material for thr new show they are debuting in the fall

Minneapolis here we come!

Team XR19

The Westcoast Blogger

The Windy City – U.S. Explorer

The U.S. Explorer checks in from Chicago

Welcome back U.S. Explorer Parents!

Chicago, Chi-town, The Windy City, a place home to legendary sports teams, actors and a famous architectural skyline. Who wouldn’t be excited to have the opportunity to spend three nights here, especially in a world-class hotel such as the Omni. We rolled into Chicago with big smiles, and after dining at a classic Italian restaurant, it was time to see the Blue Man Group! When we arrived at the theatre we knew it was going to be exciting just based on the wacky use of tubes and music in the lobby. The trip members were sitting in the front three rows, also known as the splash zone. Most of us turned down their offer of ponchos, because we all decided to dress in white and embrace the paint-filled mess! At the start of the show, Matt J was asked to sing the National Anthem. Throughout the abstract performance our man Matan was given a white canvas that one of the blue men spat paint all over. A masterpiece! Halfway through their performance, we all found out why it was called the splash zone when Shoshana and Melanie both got covered in banana. As the show came to a close, a huge dance party erupted and one of the Blue Men danced up a storm with Joey. We all stayed back and took pictures and even did “the move” with a Blue Man. Ray and Lindsay did a dance dare behind a group and we got it on film! For those who don’t know what a dance dare is, I suggest you check it out on youtube (search Ellen’s Dance Dares).

We woke up the next day to a beautifully sunny day.  It was great that on our first full day in Chicago we were able to see the city by the most environmentally/exercise friendly way by going on a bike tour. The bike leaders split our group into two, and we peddled past the pier, Lake Michigan, and wove in and out of parks. We stopped every so often to listen to brief historical facts about our surroundings and to rub Lincoln’s shoe for good luck! It was amazing seeing Jack’s determination and confidence only grow higher as the tour progressed. Many of the trip members were happy to be getting some exercise in and to see the sights in such a unique way. After biking, our stomachs were grumbling, and our stop at Navy Pier provided the trip members with a lot of selection of food and a replica of the once biggest Ferris wheel in the world to gaze at as they ate. Next on our busy schedule was a trip to the Willis Tower, formerly named the Sears Tower. This tower is not only famous for the work that went on inside, but also because it is one of the tallest buildings in the world, and the tallest in the Western Hemisphere towering 110 stories! Its elevator is also one of the fastest in the world. Once at the top, we got a rush of adrenaline as we stepped into the glass box that looked over the entire city. Everyone was a little nervous being so high up, and with positive encouragement Perry, Melissa, and Andrew challenged themselves and stepped onto the glass floor long enough for a few photos! For those baseball fans out there, we wrapped up day 2 attending a Chicago White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays game. We supported our Canadian trip members, and went all out cheering on the Jays. Everyone decked themselves out in blue paint, and thanks to the creativity of Hannah and Melanie we had cut out signs that spelled “go Canada go, eh!”, and “go Blue Jays!” Sam sported the slushy blue-tongue look and was cheering the entire time! Unfortunately for our Canadian fans, the Blue Jays lost 4-2. After the game, we decided to have a little dance party, and our wonderful bus driver Darrel joined in and showed off his moves!

Day 3 was our time to explore Chicago even more, and enjoy true city life! We started by getting our knowledge on at the Museum of Science and Industry, where the trip members had a couple of hours to explore all of the exhibits and spend some time in their unique gift shop. The highlights of the museum were the submarine, flight simulator, and aging booth exhibits. Matan and Perry had the opportunity to learn how to milk a cow and explore Space. Everyone thought the museum was extremely interesting. After the museum it was time for a little free time spent on Michigan Avenue, more commonly known as Magnificent Mile. As the sun went down, we headed to the Second City comedy club for some fun-filled laughter! This comedy club has seen many famous comedians pass through their doors, such as Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Bill Murray, and the cast we saw was incredibly funny! During one of their improvisations, the cast asked for certain scenarios for an improv skit. Alex and Joey shouted out the great idea of teens on a bus tour, which was great to see acted out by professional comedians.

Unfortunately we have said our goodbyes to Chicago and the Omni’s extraordinarily comfortable beds, but as we continue our voyage, we will hold these memories close to our hearts. We can’t wait to continue our cross-country journey, bring on Minneapolis and the Midwest!

FEELIN’ FINE ON TRIP 9!

 The Westcoat Blogger

 

3 Blue Men in Chicago – U.S. Explorer

Hello from the US Explorer! So much has happened since the last time we’ve written.  We left Ohio and went to Sam S.’s home state, Michigan.  We got a taste of college life, staying at the University of Michigan’s dorms and showed our school spirit by visiting the University store.  We also played the highly [...]