The Field Museum, which I had visited earlier that week, was eerily quiet. We continued past the large ornate building and through the Museum Campus in our Subaru. It was 6 pm on a Wednesday, The Shedd and Field Museum had been closed for about an hour now. Yet here we were, my boyfriend and I, ready to embark upon a mission to space, through the galleries and exhibits of The Adler Planetarium.
We did a once-over searching for street parking and ended up in the lot right outside the museum for only $15! A night parking deal I suppose.
The Adler, mildly shaped like Patrick’s house in SpongeBob, stood tall before us and dazzled with its bronze coloring and 1920s vibe detailing.
Before we stepped into space, Lake Michigan beckoned us over a few feet to the left to one of my favorite photo ops in the city. Woosh! Swish! The wind did all the work as I posed, outnumbered by the beautiful skyscrapers that beamed in the backdrop. I’m okay though with sharing the spotlight with my favorite city. We also took photos outside of the museum, posing with the art pieces that were ‘landed’ throughout the Adler’s yard.
Into The Adler Planetarium
Stunning tall glass doors invited us out from the cold and into the warm museum. After showing off our pre-purchased tickets on our phone at the desk we went through quite the entrance.
White cloth tarps hung around us displaying colors and designs as we funneled into the museum. Ironically it made the hall feel dark and small.
We wandered through a more open-concept gallery about the planets and meteorites before heading through a hallway on our journey to see more. We stopped off at an exhibit that had screens featuring missions with the dates that they would/had reached their destinations.
Hello Sloth!
The next stop was the space store. I knew it was too early in our trip but here we were, entering before I could even suggest looping back later. We picked up and checked out a new friend for my boyfriend’s sister.
Immediately I was put in charge of the fastest sloth I have ever seen. They absolutely killed it in a NASA t-shirt! Really, the Sloth’s outfit put my cozy but un-themed grey-blue sweater to shame.
The sloth of course emerged in our photos as I awkwardly clung to their Velcro-covered hand. I knew no matter what I did they would be right next to me, even as I posed for the iPhone camera. What a clingy friend!
Instead of being an awful friend, and camera hog, I decided to invite them to join me for our many mini photo shoots around the museum. Together, we see lots of telescopes, sundials, and paintings. Believe me, we have photos with several of them!
As my boyfriend and the “Sloth” and I chit-chat, I am reminded of another friend from a long time ago that I spent a fun-filled day with. In one of those days, you tried to turn it into a story like “The Breakfast Club” or “The Adventures in Babysitting.” A single day that you make the most of.
Panda and Me
It was 3rd grade, and it was finally my day! I had watched our well-traveled panda bear go home with most of my classmates and my turn had finally come. It was a mundane weekday, but I knew I had to create the best day ever! After all we, me and this panda bear had to journal about our time together. I needed a story, and I was going to create one.
I sadly don’t remember that day mostly because it was really ordinary. We most likely had a snack together at home after school, knowing me, we probably made up some show and persuaded my family into watching some grand performance.
But I’m sure our journal entry was long and creative. My teacher may have struggled to read it, between not great handwriting and atrocious spelling. Yet it was one of my favorite projects and perhaps an assignment that made me fall in love with writing.
Back at the Museum
The three of us wandered through the halls of the Adler for a while, learning about light pollution, the creation of the Universe and overall having a great time.
Our last photo is back where we started, on the steps of the Adler, only this time with a new friend!
The Sloth’s next adventure is Louisville Kentucky for a weekend getaway. Then off to their new home, an apartment in Brooklyn, New York!
What a fun little story to read! I do remember the panda coming home too 😉 I love how you include pictures Betsy!
I had a lot of fun tracking down the panda photo!