A note concerning tangents: (V)

Current Location: Arlington Heights, IL (pop. ~ 73,000)
(N42°08.301', W088°00.007', elev: 804 feet)
Distance traveled on leg 5: 165.8 miles
Total distance traveled: 1,545.9 miles
Expedition Outlook: Damp
Most Sadistic Arthropod: Harlequin Shrimp (hymenocera picta)


Greetings from the Windy City (or the near region at any rate)! Today we had our first taste of metropolitan exploration on the expedition. Because of our bad habits, the expedition once again got off to a late start, although while en route it occurred that we would be crossing into the central time zone and gaining an hour, so there was much rejoicing! This lasted for a bout a minute, and before Hannibal could bust out the champagne from the "Break in case of celebration" locker, I had realized that perhaps Eloise was taking time zone shifts into account on her ETA. Sure enough, this was the case, and was in fact the case on the preceding night, so when we thought we had gotten to within an hour of Chicago, we were in fact still close to two hours away. No matter, that bridge was already quite aflame and no amount of water passing under it would extinguish it.

Indiana went by without so much as a sign warning us it was coming, (before we knew it we were in Gary) and then without seeming to pass from Indiana to Illinois we ended up in Chicago. The only note of excitement occurred during a fuel stop, when, while attempting to extricate ourselves from the region, the local law enforcement swooped in, blockaded the vehicle behind us with cruisers, and lunged at it with guns drawn. Eloise is getting craftier in her insubordination.

Chicago as seen from Buckingham Fountain.

Shedd Aquarium, seen from the lake side. 

Chicago will be a two part melody. We sampled its goods today, and liked it enough that we shall remain for another. We briefly explored Grant Park, but our main objective was the Shedd Aquarium. The Aquarium is located on a spear of land jutting out into the lake, along with the Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum. The layout was simple and elegant, the fauna diverse and engaging, and the architecture pleasing. Of note was the facility's apparent focus on education and the way in which many of the exhibits were targeted at younger patrons. Despite that, all expeditions members who were present had an enjoyable time.

Edison dubbed this the "pompadour fish."

Most major aquatic habitats were covered, and the facilities were large enough to accommodate a living coral reef, sea lions, beluga whales, and pacific white sided dolphins. We spent the better part of three and a half hours within. I got to see both river and sea otters and was so ecstatic to see them that I probably squeaked. Hannibal managed to get his paws on one of the staff, as well as dominate a penguin and a turtle (We didn't have the hear to tell him they were fake. Fortunately he can't be bothered to actually read this so we're in the clear.) And Edison, well Edison found another Big Person, this one masquerading as a fountain. I dread that he's beginning to commune with them. His behavior has been flagged.

Beyond the Shedd, we met with Lake Michigan at the 12th Street Beach, touched its waters and collected samples. We planned the next day's excursion at a local sandwich shop, and then made our way to our lodgings with the intent of getting and early start on the morrow. I of course, am still up, but did you expect any less? Edison is much more finicky, and it would be best to let him get his beauty sleep (I shudder at the thought of what he might look like without it), so I will turn the broadcast over to him at this juncture:

[Notes from Edison:
Oh, how the cruel barbs of your wit jab me.... but true, sir. On the other hand, your jest about the fountain was in poor taste. Many faults I have, but if I say something about sleeping with the fishes I assure you I am talking about death, not some crazed icthylogical fantasy. For shame.

As for the rest of you, you missed a day replete with wonder and adventure. From our aquarial expedition to the torrents which even now hammer our windows, our day was dominated by water. Even incipient dehydration played a role, causing many side trips to the abundant 'bubblers' scattered about Shedd's place. We touched our hands to the waters of Lake Michigan, for a near-complete survey of the Great Lakes, we watched as sharks swam below, next to, and over us in various habitats, and we hid in a tasty sandwich shop as mother nature attempted to chastise us for having too good a time.
On that matter, a quick hello to Linda for suggesting the Potbelly Sandwich Works as our afternoon meal-place. We approved!
As always, our options have evolved by the day, being prompted or denied by circumstance, mood, and the suggestions of our friends, families, and occasionally a chance-met stranger. (Although along THOSE lines; Lauren, that guy is an idiot... Drop him like a hot rock, and then change your locks and your number. Move back to Oregon, you'll be better off.) Working without a set schedule is sometimes a little more nerve-wracking, the freedom is amazing. We would have missed a lot of stuff already if we felt we had to be in certain places at certain times. Just sayin'.
And in closing let me give you a few words I heard our friend Hannibal humming under his breath as he watched the lasses play along the seashore: "Zwei drei vier one two three, it's easy to see, but it's not that I don't care so. 'Cause I hear it all the time, but they never let you know on the TV and the radio. She was young her heart was pure but every night night is bright she got, she said sugar is sweet, she come rappin' to the beat; Then I knew that she was hot."
Until tomorrow, farvael and ikus arte.]

The great deluge of yesterday does seem to be loitering in the region. Not a terrible matter, as most of our planned activities for Saturday are indoors, but we will get damp moving from place to place. Please excuse me as a I slip into a slightly more meta vibe, lovely readers. The 'Log as the expedition has come to refer to our nightly broadcast, is often a topic of conversation during the course of the day. We are constantly striving to provide a better piece of entertainment, so please let us know what it is you would like to see or hear more of (or less of) and we will do our best to accommodate you. Until next time friends. Thank you, America, and good night. This is the Nickness, signing off;

Thank you for tuning in! On our next episode: Chicago, Chicago, That Toddling Town; Water Water Everywhere!; Sometimes It's A Faulty Plexiglass Floor And Not Pride That Cometh Before The Fall;   In And Out Smooth as a Scalpel, Yet Leaving Our Mark Like A Jackhammer.