We found something that matched each of us....
Linda had shared a hysterical story about her and her visiting duck.  Check out the detail of this painting in the next frame.
Kathye's favorite artist, Mary Cassatt	Mimi is as pretty as a picture herself
Fellow hat lovers attract.  It didn't take long to discover this lady had been to Charleston a few years ago and SAW OUR PROMENADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and, of course, loved it)	We head back to Millennium Park, but have to stop and smell (and be photographed with) the flowers!
Written in stone....	It is impossible to capture the glory of Millennium Park with our camera.  So please log onto www.millenniumpark.org for a better look and explanation. This photo shows the new band shell where free concerts are given throughout the summer
Also at Millennium Park is the famous "Bean" sculpture. Look in a straight line from the middle hat, and you will see three splotches of pink	Here is a close up: It's us, holding our Hat Ladies' t-shirts
We return to our Hotel for a quick rest...only to find my college sorority is holding a National Convention downstairs.  I get invited to the Reception and have a chance to address the chapter presidents	A short walk gets us to Navy Pier...once a military storage facility, then the Chicago branch of The University of Illinois, now a fantastic amusement park, complete with rides, restaurants, and fire works
	Kathye on the Ferris wheel
Archie on the Ferris wheel	Kathye and Mimi off the Ferris wheel
	Kathye enjoying the fireworks
As we slowly walk back to our Hotel, we spot the CAROLINA Skiff.  Guess it's time to go home	SUNDAY. We give each other a hand gesture symbolic of the unbelievable time we shared and say our Good byes.  Kathye heads back to Charleston; Mimi goes on to New Jersey; Archie stays one more day with her Mother
We do what we did every third Sunday of the month: We go out for Chinese food	I have plenty of time MONDAY to get some deep dish Chicago pizza because I have given up my seat on my flight to get $400.00 worth of travel credits, a $15.00 dinner voucher, and a first class seat on a later flight.  This trip continues to be the best EVER!
And there's even time for another Chicago hot dog

NOW FOR SOME COMMENTS FROM THE OTHER 4 OF THE CHICAGO 5

For months before our trip, I wondered what it would be like... Would we have fun, would the weather be nice, would we all get along, would four of us fit in a room together (which ended up being five), would I have enough hats, would I pack the right clothes, would I, would I, would I??? The answer to all the WOULD It's was YES!!!!! Upon landing in Chicago, my fellow Hat Ladies met me with hugs, kisses, and of course pictures!!! I knew our adventure would be wonderful!!

I feel so honored that Archie shared with me her mothers 90th birthday!!!  Her mother is such a warm and wonderful women, I fell in love with her immediately!!!  We had a lovely birthday Tea at the Drake Hotel where Archie's Chicago Friends were introduced to her Crazy Hat Lady friends... Her friends were so sweet and we had such a nice day, but the evening proved to be even more special... We did our famous "song and dance" at the assisted living home where her mother lives, and we were a hit!!! Archie showed us Chicago through her eyes and for that I will always be grateful!!! 

I know Archie, Linda, Kathye, Jackie and I will always share a special bond that we formed during our time together in Chicago. Not just five ladies in a room!!! The laughter, the sharing, the encouragement, the compliments we constantly received because of our hats, the delicious food, the site seeing, each day being better than the day before!!!  We made memories that I shall cherish forever!!  Thank you my dear hat Ladies, I love you all!!!

 In beauty contest they give a Miss Congeniality award.  Everyone of the Chicago Hat Ladies has a trophy in this department. Five to a room with one bath and a few additional mirrors and we were like peas in an albeit 'tight' pod. The amount of wine and snoring falls into the category of 'what happens in Chicago stays in Chicago'.

Planning gave us a go button that precluded anyone plodding to the beat of a different drum. Knowing where to be, what to wear and how to get there made tripping sooo uncomplicated. The checklist was checked and the mishaps minimal (broken zipper and no swimsuits the night we would have used them. Each meal, event, and party was a story and an easy shift in activity. Appreciation of architecture, parks, streets and people and their reaction to us was the real deal. We looked up, down and sideways by car,
boat, taxi, bus and elevated train.

Stain glass, see-through acrylic, chrome bean, Ferris Wheel, dinning terrace, fountains, shop windows, churches,
temples and stores added to the visual excitement. Add in the culinary adventures and live music of harp to Broadway to equal a vacation for the ages. And of course the appreciation of others. We accepted their compliments with style and grace and did right back to all the gracious people of Chicago. Archie you plan and execute like a champion. Special thanks to all of
your friends and especially to your Mother.

Chicago, Chicago...A Wonderful Town: If they asked me, I could write a book about our Chicago trip, but they didn't.  So I'll just say that the stars lined-up to give us the most fantastic, funderful and unforgettable time in Chicago, and I will be forever hatpy that I was a part of it.

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