Chicago Bound!
9:40 a.m.

View From the Sears Tower

Two of my collegues -- and random strangers in the background

Students check out various important sites in Chicago

Looking North toward the Adler Planetarium (on the finger point of the penninsula)

Whew! I found the base of an unoccupied telescope to rest a spell!

Ten adults, ninety 13/14 year olds walked the first mile to the train, rode the train for an hour, walked another two blocks, and toured the Sears Tower. For most of the students it was their first train ride AND the first time in the Sears Tower Observatory. It was a wonderful day with some hilarious moments. Picture 90 young teens making it through an automatic revolving door for the first time in their lives. The kids were great...several adults were rude to them at various points during the day, but they handled themselves well.

On the return trip, all 100 of us grabbed fast food at the train station and managed to board the train with minutes to spare. I think the conductor was worried. He assured us that the train waited for NO ONE! We surprised him and all made it on in time!

And we even had the energy for the mile-long walk UPHILL back to school. We arrived back at school 5 minutes before the dismissal bell. A SUCCESSFUL Day. I think we'll all sleep soundly tonight. I'm going to bed NOW!