2012 RR Road Trip -MargaWrigleyville Open Invite

I wanted to issue an open invite to Reds fans to attend 2012's MargaWrigleyville -A tHantastic Voyage. A small group of RR'ers have already committed to attending this event. Lodging has been reserved, transportation has been purchased. Wrigley rooftop building management has been contacted. Tickets for Cubs games go in sale in February, and they aint cheap.

I have, however, found pretty damn inexpensive lodging 2 miles from downtown and 2 miles from Wrigley. It just opened Jan 1st and i think its price point puts a weekend at Wrigley within the grasp of even the most budget challenged Red Reporters. Especially if you can cop a ride to CHI on the Megabus or Greyhound Express buses.

Its the IHSP Hostel at Damen CTA stop. its new. its clean. the management is incredibly nice, in fact i'm taking a dry run trip there myself with the family in April...mainly to grab some Chicago slice and do some touristy things. Most hotel's run $200+/night downtown, double occupancy. IHSP can book a room for 4 males for $25/person per night. Here is their website:IHSP Chicago If you book directly through their site it drops their rack rates on the search engines by 33%. There is free offstreet, garaged parking for those that might want to drive their own vehicles there.

Generally, I stay in The Loop at a hotel one block from Pizano's, The Tilted Kilt, Miller's Pub, and the El. But its not inexpensive. But it is worth it. Some of your RR'ers will be staying here for the Reds/Cubs series. Details below:

Dates: August 9, 10, 11, 12

Games: Thurs night, Fri day, Sat day, Sun day

Promos: Friday Foam Finger, Sunday Build a Bear!

Rooftop Game: Prob Sun, which is the cheapest game of series for rooftops. Leaning towards a LF vendor.

Bleacher Game: gotta be a day game, right? so that's Fri or Sat

The CHI weekend will be much like the Mexico trip. Everyone is free to do their own thing anytime, but also is free to join in whatever things the group(s) are doing. No pressure. Several of us are going as couples but several are going "stag" also. I expect the womenfolk to attend one game (rooftop) and make other plans throughout the weekend. Personally, i will be splintering off one evening to hit Margaritaville Chicago with some Chicago Parrothead Club Members. My wife would like to see at least one Broadway show. I know i have to get some of the RR fools to get on The Ledge at Sears (sic) Tower...even though I prefer the view from the John Hancock Observatory. i expect there might be an evening fireworks cruise on the Lake. Live Blues is an option. As is a Second City comedy show. And I do love me some architectural river tour rides! Chicago has plenty to offer folks with all ranges of xFlip!

Personally, I cant wait to see the look on tHan's face when he confronts the trough pisser in the bleachers. it should be high comedy.

I know there is some dissenting opinion but, to me, Wrigley Field is the best place to see a ballgame, especially a summer day game. If you havent been there yet this might be the year. The lodging is affordable and the Cubs should suck this season, which will increase ticket availability and keep prices moderate. Theo is going to improve the Cubbies and tix will be harder to come across and much pricier moving forward. Wrigley has that tiered pricing system and a weekend in August vs the Reds is an upper tier level game. i'm hoping some of our friends at BCB might be able to accomodate some of us by dumping tix they don't need that weekend. there's little chance the group will sit together so small groups will be unavoidable, but they offer the most flexibility.