Chicago-Indiana-Michigan, episode 8. In which we finally arrive in the Windy City.

There were three separate and completely different points that aligned leading to a recent extended visit to Chicago.  The first was that episode of Market Warriors on PBS (NYC Markets, episode 3) in which the experts fleamarketed the Randolph Street Antique Market in search of bargains to later sell at auction.  It looked temptingly amazing and was immediately added to our travel list without any prodding from my copilot.  Second was my upcoming attendance at the American Library Association Annual Conference at McCormick Place at the end of June 2013 (the market regularly occurs the final Saturday and Sunday of each month).

Third, and what put the final flavorful flourish on that star-crossed alignment, was an episode of another beloved-to-me PBS series, Cook's Country.  When I saw Christopher Kimball digging heartily into a creamy slice of chocolate eclair cake whose recipe had been dissected and perfected as only chefs from America's Test Kitchen can (to the extreme), I knew I had to have me a slice (or two).  When I learned that Portillo's of Chicago was noted for its own version of this dessert, that's when my list making for the upcoming week in the Windy City (no one really calls it that, but it is poetically accurate) reached its sugary peak.

Here I am at one of my (now) favorite restaurants.  We've been to one other chain location (with free on-site parking), but our favorite is still our first--on Ontario across from the Hard Rock (with no on-site parking).  My phone photo of the chocolate eclair cake doesn't do it justice (neither do the styrofoam plate or plasticware it's served with at the casual dining establishment), but be assured that it fulfilled its creamy chocolatey destiny.  Mari is pointing (inexplicably to me at least) to the fudge sundae she enjoyed while I lavishly satisfied my tortuously-teased-with, long-awaited-anticipation taste buds.

So good!

Great appetizing website, too.  portillos.com

Always game for a new fleamarketing experience, Mari and I were thrilled that my ALA conference coincided with the final weekend of the month.  The more-than-just-antiques market is held regularly on the last weekend of each month throughout the year with a few exceptions during the holiday season.

The official site has a calendar of upcoming sale dates.
You will also find lots of useful visitor info and enticing photos and videos.

randolphstreetmarket.com

Having carved out some time in my convention schedule when I wouldn't be having "a moment" over a cherished author or missing an awards ceremony, I did look forward longingly to the moment when I could begin a new fleamarket adventure.  I've reflected previously on the awesomeness that comes with a new-to-you fleamarket and that overwhelming excitement was no different when it came to Randolph Street.  First, I must note that Randolph Street Market even provides a free hourly trolley between the market and Water Tower Place (be sure to check the site for specifics).  We were more than happy to be greeted by the clang-clang-clang as we stepped aboard that fine sunny Sunday to venture out as first-timers.

Much like New York's GreenFlea and the Brooklyn Flea at Fort Greene, the Randolph Street Market is located on the spacious grounds of a public school, with shopping indoors as well.  As we began our first and only (so far) visit, we were thrilled with the variety of goods displayed by the outdoor vendors.  We found ourselves immediately immersed in vintage clothing, furniture, and you-name-it (my favorite thing to collect, as you know).  Still waiting for the perfect moment to snap up a great (bargain) piece of vintage furniture, but once again we were just too far from home for that perfect moment to propitiously present itself.

Among my favorite outdoor vendors on this particular Midwest-humid Sunday were a pair of female friends who had gathered a wide mix of collections including vintage clothing, books, and cameras.  Yup.  Cameras. Expectantly and excitedly I stepped up to the temporary tiered display for a close browse.  I don't touch when I browse.  I like to get as close as I comfortably can, squatting if I must (getting tougher as I round the other side of the hill), but never touch.  To me, touching is almost a contract and I'm not ready for negotiation until I lock looks with the collectible that's been giving me the eye.  I'm getting to the point in my collecting, unfortunately, where I sometimes don't remember if I've already collected something.  Know the feeling?  (I'm told by a cynical friend with questionable humor that this feeling is called old age.)  I did clearly recognize several small cameras that I knew were currently waiting for me at home in a lighted display where my collected cameras are kept along with a vintage typewriter and my newish collection of typewriter-ribbon tins (more on those when I flash back to my first sighting & purchase at the South Florida Fairgrounds in a future adventure).

Not having my attention captured by the neat rows of cameras on the top two shelves, I focused my browse on a third shelf which held a stack of 8mm film reels (hopefully not once-cherished family memories) and several old movie cameras.  There were three old movie cameras in my lighted display, too, and I added a new-old fourth to the collection that day, thankful that the friendly vendors had held onto the original storage case with instruction booklet should I ever decide to go completely retro during one of our travel adventures.

Footnote.  After unpacking my goodies at home a few days later, I placed the new-old 8mm camera on the glass shelf right next to the identical Kodak Brownie II I had previously purchased at an already forgotten (okay, it is age) market.  

A second footnote involving my tussle with TSA next time.