In early August I'm heading from Baltimore to Chicago to attend the International Symposium on Freshwater Stingray Biology.

No, I'm not kidding. Yes, I'm sure it will be awesome. :D

We have about a day and a half to make it to Chicago, but we're not on a rigidly set schedule for a return date back to Albany, NY. This means utter chaos as I am unleashed onto the Midwest. Just kidding, this actually means that I need suggestions from locals as to the best things to do in the general area that we'll be traveling. I love museums and plan to visit the Shedd Aquarium again, so Chicago should be a blast. Do you have a favorite location or activity? I'd love to hear about it.

Stop in Cincinnati! Or I'll meet you in Indy with Kelly or Chicago with Quinnn.

 Let's meet in Bmore for crabs!

::: joking- would love too but I am trying to pay off debt so no crab feasting for me this summer::::::

 Oh hell, I better lock my doors.   I'm on your path.   ; ) 

That would be ridiculous! I'd love to but I don't want to force anyone into mandatory fun. :) 

 

Audrey just sent me a link to the Jelly Belly factory in WI. I have a mild urge to ride the BEAN TRAIN:

I'm only going there if they let me dive into piles of sugary goodness.

Take me to a place where you can just keep talking about awesome biological facts. I'm down.

 The Shedd Aquarium is awesome. There are a lot of other great museums in chicago, too. Make sure to check museum's websites- some of them have discount or free days. The art institute used to be free on either tuesdays or thursdays, I think. Navy Pier is overrated, but I guess some people dig it.

There's a great renaissance fair going on right now in Bristol, WI (just over IL's border). 

 edit: mmm, biology nerdiness. There's a museum of surgical science in chicago that no one will go with me too. I think it's small, but it sounds creepily awesome. 

Axon:

That would be ridiculous! I'd love to but I don't want to force anyone into mandatory fun. :) 

 

Audrey just sent me a link to the Jelly Belly factory in WI. I have a mild urge to ride the BEAN TRAIN:

I'm only going there if they let me dive into piles of sugary goodness.

 

Do itttt!!!! I've been there, it's awesome, and I want to live with Mr. Jelly Belly in sugary bliss for the rest of my days.

Adwoa- We have actually been considering hanging out in Baltimore for the night and just driving straight to Chicago the next day. You're closer to the DC area, no? I'm more of a lobster gal myself, crabs require too much effort for too little meat. :)

Brian- We all know that you're planning on leaving the door wide open, don't try to kid yourself. 

Lindsey - Haha, I'm definitely down for a meet up. I spew useless trivia like I get paid for it. 

Raete- Thanks for the tips about admission, saving money is always a good thing. I just googled the surgical museum, that's seriously right up my alley. Medical maladies make my heart go pitter patter. You should take the day off and come with, but OH NOES who would run baf_trade?!

Audrey- Does Jeremy know that you plan on leaving him for your confectionery lover?

 

I don't plan on going to all of the lectures at the symposium, my partner in crime Corey is the one that's in love with the rays. As I understand it, they're giving away an exotic specimen during the conference. I really hope he doesn't win this year because that means we'll have to buy another (much more enormous) tank. :P

So I think I'll have a considerable amount of downtime during the trip, I think I want to be a total tourist and snap a photo of the old Chess Records building. ;)

Because of summer classes, I am available Friday afternoons until Sunday evening. Chicago is about a 5 hour drive for me.

Sounds like it'll work out fine. Let me talk it over with Corey and see if I can do a little more planning. Would you rather we meet halfway-ish or do you want to hang out in Chicago?

I'm not sure if I'll have a travel buddy or not, so meeting anywhere interesting that not too far from me would be great. I have friends in Columbus and the rock and roll hall of fame is in Cleveland.

Hahahahahaha, we could totally see Metro Station in Cincinnati on August 9. I will punch everyone with a girls haircut in the side of the head.

Off the top of my head, I could give you a small tour of my favorite restaurant, a couple of bars, and the Newport Aquarium or Cincinnati Zoo. We're not swimming in events here. Also, my friend Nick the apprentice might be doing free tattoos by then. There is a venue right across the street from the Newport Aquarium and We Are Scientists plays there Sunday.

With Metro Station, I bet we'd see enough sick gauges to last us a lifetime. lulz

Those all sound like pretty neat options. I'll drop you a line soon when I figure out which day we're officially leaving and we'll go from there.

 Make sure you go to The Alley and drool over all of Scott's stone jewelry.

 I can offer tours of my bedroom.   

bwaahhhaa