Earlier this month, I was diligently working at my desk when my husband of 12 years phoned. “How about we go to Navy Pier this weekend?” David suggested. “It’s Chicago Navy Week and the USS Constitution is going to be there!” he announced excitedly.
The USS Constitution — a/k/a Old Ironsides — is a U.S. Navy ship built in the late 1700s. As the oldest commissioned warship afloat, its current home is in Boston Harbor.
This ship has special meaning for both of us, since it’s where my husband proposed to me… right there on the deck of the huge vessel. So, naturally, his suggestion sounded sweet and romantic.
Still, I was a wee bit skeptical. “Is the USS Constitution still seaworthy?” I asked him. After all, Old Ironsides was built in the late 18th century!
“Yeah, it’s all good!” he promised.
How could I say No, when he was so full of enthusiasm?
Unfortunately, I felt a bit lazy about going downtown…
What kind of wife am I? To be honest, I didn’t relish going back downtown on a Saturday after a full week of commuting to Chicago from our suburban home. The drudgery of the train, the traffic, the people, the motorized scooters, etc., etc. You get my drift.
Still, I said YES to him. Just like I did when he proposed back in 2011.
“Let’s take the Metra train downtown,” I suggested. Since my husband adores trains, I thought it would be nice for him to finally ride the Metra — it would be a first for him and let him experience the hustle and bustle of commuting on the train.
We decided to take the BNSF Metra line, which has a train leaving each hour toward downtown. Since neither of us were familiar with BNSF’s Cicero Avenue train station, we looked for a pedestrian cross in order to wait on the south end (city-bound) platform. Strangely, we found no signs pointing us in the right direction and there was no way for us to cross over.
“Sometimes they come in on the opposite track, especially on the weekends,” I explained. “Let’s just wait here since there’s no where else to go.”
And so we waited, donned in sunhats and doused with plenty of sunscreen. My husband was fired up about taking the commute, and we eagerly waited on the lone bench at the station.
We heard the train’s whistle as it approached the station. Once it passed the blind curve, however, we were in shock to see the train was using the opposite tracks. As there was absolutely no pathway in sight, we couldn’t figure out how we had made this incredible mistake!
And so we stayed glued to that bench, watching as the train heading east into the city approached on the southern track.
I felt so stupid! And embarrassed. “What the heck do we do now?” I cried.
“We’ll simply wait for the next train,” David said good naturedly. “It’s only another hour. Hey, what else were we going to do today?”
“Uggghhh!” was my only response.
After the train went on its merry way, we walked the perimeter, once more searching for a way to the south platform. Eventually, we found a small ramp, leading toward Cicero Avenue. From there, we walked about 1/4 of a block and came upon a pedestrian tunnel. It was this very tunnel that led to the other side of the station. Well, there you go!
Fast forward to the city…
Eventually, we found ourselves downtown at Union Station. By this time, it was close to 11AM. From there, we couldn’t decide whether to take the CTA shuttle to Navy Pier, or simply walk along the River Walk. It was a lovely day, so we decided on the latter, since we were both up for a walk.
Except my knees weren’t happy with my decision. It’s been a rough year for them, having endured my second knee replacement last winter. Recovery has been sluggish and painful.
Still, we walked over a mile and made it to Columbus Drive, just west of Navy Pier. By now, my mood had gone downhill and I had enough. “Let’s take a taxi from here,” Dave suggested.
“I’m not moving from this corner!” I cried. “Anyway, there’s no taxis to be found.”
Luckily, we spotted the CTA bus stop for the shuttle to Navy Pier. You know the one I’m speaking of… the one we could have easily grabbed 45 minutes earlier just across the street from Union Station. We decided to wait for the bus.
My knees weren’t budging and neither was I. We waited another 20 minutes for that crowded bus and gladly got on, each hanging onto the overhead straps since it was standing room only.
It’s now 1:00 PM and we’re finally at Navy Pier
Except we’re really not there yet. The traffic into the pier was horrendous. It took another 12 minutes for our bus driver to maneuver her way through the throngs of vehicles, all headed in the same direction. After all, it was the same day as Chicago’s Air and Water Show, which always brings thousands of people to the city for this astonishing event.
Once we were off the CTA bus, we walked (I limped) the length of Navy Pier, all the way to its eastern most tip. That’s where the ships were alleged to be on this bright sunny day. Except for one important thing…
There were no ships to be found.
“Where’s the U.S. Constitution?” my husband wondered out loud.
I wondered some things myself, except this is a PG-rated post and I aim to keep it that way.
By this time, the sweat beads were rolling down our faces due to high humidity, causing the sunscreen to burn our eyes.
“I’m sitting right here on this stoop,” I announced to him. Both my knees were shouting out in pain. On top of that, my big toe hurt. I sat on my shawl, not wanting to burn my bottom, crossed my arms and plainly showed my disappointment. Oy veh, what a day for me!
“Well, we can at least stay for the air show,” proclaimed my patient husband.
And to that, we did. We watched a stupendous show from the U.S. Navy pilots, as they swooped across the city, showcasing its skyline.
They roared directly over our heads, dangerously close to the brick tower of Navy Pier. The pilots made breathtaking moves across the water, supplying their audience with exceptional prowess and tremendous courage.
Now you see ’em… now you don’t!!
After the show ended, we found a kiosk selling — of all things — Lobster Rolls! I regret to say that day’s sandwich was nothing like the tasty and oh-so-wonderful fresh lobster roll we shared back in 2011 near Old Ironsides in Boston.
I won’t bore you with the rest of our commute home, but I can say we were much more successful on the way back. We took the CTA shuttle back to Union Station and unexpectedly ran into David’s brother and his galpal. From there, we shared a four-seater on the train and shared details from our excursions into the city.
“I’m sorry we didn’t get to see the U.S.S. Constitution,” my dear husband apologized later.
“Don’t worry,” I reassured him. “The best part of the day was that you wanted us to tour the ship where we got engaged. It’s a very romantic gesture on your part. And that’s what I appreciate the most.”
By the way, I also appreciated a cold draught at the end of the day.
So, really, who’s complaining?
Certainly not I!
Update: We eventually learned the “crew” of the USS Constitution was in town that week… not the actual ship… LOL
Thank you for reading – PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST
PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST 