Back in the USA: Jaguars at Bears

After spending the better of two weeks attending football matches in Europe, it was time to get back to the NFL. With a 15 degree forecast for the Chicago Bears game and some laziness setting in to prepare a tailgate, we decided to forgo tailgating before the game. Instead we ate in our neighborhood and drove to the game. As we were leaving for the game, our neighbor, who was smoking on her front porch in Bears gear, asked if we were driving to the game. We said yes and she handed us a parking pass for the Adler Planetarium lot.

In order to get to the Adler Planetarium parking lot on game day, you must exit from Lake Shore Drive at the 18th Street Exit, drive around the southern part of Soldier Field and continue North on the east side of the stadium. Finally, you will reach the road that leads you to the Adler Planetarium parking lot. I always knew the Adler lot allowed tailgating but did not know you could pay cash on game days for $45 (the Waldron Deck and South Lot cost $40 and that is only if you win the Chicago Bears parking lottery). I thought most of the parking lots near Soldier Field were parking coupons only.

The Game
The Bears defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-10, in what may have been the coldest football game I have ever attended (and maybe sporting event for that matter). The game time temperature was 18 degrees and seemed to continually drop throughout the game.

Two Bears franchise milestones were achieved during the game:
1) It was the Bears 700th win in franchise history.
2) Matt Forte passed Gale Sayers rookie record for the most yards from scrimmage in franchise history.

Post Game Dining
After the game, we walked 30 minutes to Miller’s Pub (established in 1935) located at 134 S. Wabash Ave. The Ultimate Sports Wife and I usually eat at Miller’s Pub after cold Bears games as the restaurant has many hearty winter meals in addition to some warm cocktails. Rather than walk back to the car in the cold, we took a cab back to the planetarium lot.