November 5

Today was an adventure day. I got up, secured my coffee, and then headed northeast to visit a few famous film locations.

My first stop was 671 Lincoln Avenue in Winnetka, otherwise known as the "Home Alone" house. As I drove along the charming tree-lined streets, I was struck by a few truths: one, said-streets are so much narrower than I ever imagined, and two, the house is very close to Lake Michigan. I had no idea it was only a few blocks away from the water (and the houses that back up to the water absolutely blew my mind when I caught glimpses of them. Yowza). Anyway, when I arrived at the house, a cute young couple visiting the US from Poland were trying to jerry-rig a selfie stick to take photos, so I offered to take some for them, and they took a few for me in return. 

My next stop wasn't really a stop, per se, but more of a drive-by as I slowed down for a look at the Wilmette church featured in "Home Alone." (It's located on what felt like a fairly busy corner so I quickly snapped a pic as I rode by. But it's a beautiful building.)

And then I traveled on to 370 Beech Street in Highland Park, which is otherwise known as Cameron's mid-century modern home in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." It was almost impossible to get a decent photo because it's largely hidden by trees and other foliage, but it's definitely an intriguing structure (and it too is located along a road that is far narrower than I expected it to be).

With my movie tour completed, I took the roughly hour-long drove back to the hotel, where I chillaxed  until Abby texted me about dinner. After I gassed up the minivan, I picked her up and we headed to the Olive Garden.

It was a good day, all in all. I could do with less traffic and much less road work (because oh my goodness, Chicagoland! So much road work!), but it was fun to see those iconic places in real life. And it was, of course, a blessing to have more time with my girl.