Labor Day Weekend in Chicago

September 4th:

Hans and I had a very early direct flight from Baltimore to Chicago.  We arrived at our hotel in the Theater District by around 10:30 am and thankfully the staff allowed us to check in early.  After a little rest and map studying Hans and I walked south on Clark Street until I arrived at the Chicago outpost of my job.  Hans took off to wander the lakefront area and I met up with some folks for lunch.  We ate at Saucy Porka, a fusion restaurant, where I had their carnitas and kimchi sandwich.  I nabbed some chorizo egg rolls for takeout. 

Volunteering at Arlington National Cemetery

This year I'm not volunteering at the White House.  Instead I decided to help with the annual wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery.  Hans and I arrived by metro with over 5,500 other volunteers. 

Thanksgiving in Ithaca

My sister and her husband flew down to be with my nephew and his girlfriend in Ithaca, NY for Thanksgiving this year.  I hadn't seen any of them for the holidays for rather a long time, so Hans and I drove some quiet lesser highways in Pennsylvania and New York to meet up with them on Thanksgiving morning.