On Friday morning while waiting for Claire and Miguel to swing by we hung out in the cheerful day room of our hostel, the IHSP Chicago.
As for Tom, Tommy and I, we already had some great plans laid out for our last day in Chicago.
We were planning on starting off the day with brunch with Miguel and Claire at a hip little Bucktown breakfast /brunch/lunch place called Toast that would be out-the-door crowded at brunch time on the weekend, but wouldn't be too bad on a Friday late-morning. After brunch we figured we'd then walk back to Miguel and Claire's house in Logan Square and spend the rest of the day helping them with several around-the-house projects, fixing a closet door, hanging some pictures, etc.
Then when all the chores were done we planned to take the Metro downtown to look at the Christmas lights along Michigan Avenue, walk around the Christkindls Market and have dinner at Pizano's, everybody's - not just ours, but everybody's - favorite pizzaria in Chicago. Maybe in the whole world.
When Claire and Miguel arrived to pick us up we stopped by the hostel reception desk to say good-bye and wish a nice day to the busy, helpful hostel hosts on duty.
After brunch we moved on to the next phase of our day-plan, working on Claire and Miguel's house. But first we had to walk the couple of miles from Bucktown back to Logan Square via the 606, the old elevated train line recently rehabbed into an elevated walking/bike path.
Ascending and walking the the 606.
Another hour later,
We all agreed enthusiastically.
Oh well, old happens, right?
Anyway, we arrived at Pizano's, which was beautifully lit up and gave the place a warm, happy holiday feel,
My slice of cheese and tomato sauce pizza.
And Tommy snapped one last great shot.