You know how a touristy spot or landmark sometimes gets hyped so much that when you actually get to see it in person it falls so short of your expectations because there was never any chance that it would meet them? That is not the case for the Bean in Chicago.

It’s so shinytastic and we were blessed with seeing it on a gorgeous blue day with just enough white fluffy clouds to make me wonder if the perfect weather came with the Bean as part of its exhibit.

In other Chicago touristy news I …

saw Navy Pier for the first time. Definitely a tourist trap, but it was such a pretty day that the stroll was perfect.

Saw the Budweiser clydesdales who were in town for a visit.

Sat for a therapy session with Bob Newhart.

Ate at the Billy Goat Tavern. I did not offend the chef because I, in fact, wanted a Cheeseburger and (diet) Coke.

Caught a White Sox game at U.S. Cellular Field (but you knew that already). I skipped Wrigley this go around as I’ve been to a couple games there already.

And left enough of my money on Michigan Avenue to extend the national economy’s lifespan by a whole day. Yeah, that’s a lot of money.

That was enough to fill a trip alone, but oh Modern Friends, there is so much more. Stay tuned for the BlogHer recaps.