Weekend in Chicago: Wildcats, Wolverines and Runners, Oh My!

You've heard the tune, now for those (Michigan fans) on the game bus, here are the words:

Go U Northwestern!

Break right through that line.

With our colors flying,

We will cheer you all the time,

U Rah! Rah!

Go! U Northwestern!

Fight for victory,

Spread far the fame of our fair name,

Go! Northwestern win that game.

Or Not.
Pat headed west to San Diego to see Craig and to check out the big Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, so I had an extra ticket to Northwestern - Michigan game. Kevin (of Cambier Park fame) and I met at o' dark thirty for the flight to ATL and ORD. ATL portion worked fine but as we watched ORD and MDW flights leave without us we changed course and headed to Milwaukee on a wide open flight. Weather could not have been nicer in Chicagoland over the Columbus Day weekend. Arriving on the NU campus, we found a parking spot amongst the enthusiastic NU and Michigan tailgaters and walked the campus along the shoreline admiring the beautiful Lake Michigan views. We met up with Jim, Meredith, Lauren and Dana at Tommy Nevins, a local Evanston eatery that was packed to the gills with fans. NU played a good first half but was shut down completely in the 2nd half as the Michigan fans went home happy with a 42-24 win.

"That's alright, that's ok, they're gonna work for us someday!"

Or Not.

After an obligatory stop for some Italian Beef at Mustard's Last Stand and short visit to Phi Delt tailgate party, we called it a night.

Sunday was another beautiful day but a little too warm for the Marathon. Met up with M & J in Chinatown to see Lauren come cruising through at Mile 21 looking pretty darn good but feeling a little overheated. We then took the El up to Grant Park for the finish line and some nice refreshments that Lauren's employer lavishly laid out for friends and family in the hospitality tent. Afterward, we ambled over to the post race party and met up with our Naples friends, Dave & Kathy, who were on scene to cheer for John Fred who was completing his first marathon.

All in all it was a classic fall foliage weekend that I topped off with a long Columbus Day bike ride with Gulfstream Johnny on the North County Trailway in Somers, NY.

Thanks to Lauren for making it all possible with tickets to the game and to the post race feast. And congratulations on completing another marathon.

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