Life Goals: The Field Museum

So, since college (or: as long as I can now remember, because college was a long time ago) I've wanted to visit Chicago's Field Museum. Namely, because of the lions on view there, known as the Man-Eaters of Tsavo:

Did you ever see the movie in the 1990's starring Val Kilmer, called "The Ghost in the Darkness?" It was based on this true story. In the late 1890's, two mane-less lions (a kind of species found in some parts of the African bush) killed around 140 local tribesmen who were helping put down lines for a rail road (in a small village in Kenya). The circumstances were so extraordinary that they sparked (reinforced?) all kinds of demonic lore, and many workers refused to take part in the efforts until the lions were killed.

Another intriguing aspect of this true story is that the lions were actively hunting men, who are usually not on their menu. The story, including the very dangerous challenge of finding and killing them, is fascinating. The guy (I want to say a General?) who eventually hunted them down displayed their furs as rugs in his home until he grew old and sold them - along with the lion's skulls - to the Field Museum for the then-whopping sum of $5,000.

This picture includes the actual lion skulls (showing damage from gun shots) and furs, although these lions are smaller than the actual ones.

Anyhoo, for G and me, going to the Field Museum and seeing this exhibit = one of life's goals achieved. It was spectacular.

I would highly recommend any exhibit here, but we focused on the dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, their special China exhibit, and their special ancient Greek exhibit.

A few pics from our day:

Ancient cell phones. (JK - tools)

3D film about the Galapagos

Am currently sitting in the airport working on a paper due tomorrow. Crossing our fingers and hoping we beat the snow storm to Denver. Oh, the fun of flying.

More Chicago adventures to come soon! We heart Chicago!