Chicago...Downtown
Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 11:19AM 
"It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses"..."Hit it." Ellswood...The Blues Brothers...
"Chicago seems a big city instead of merely a large place"..A.J. Liebling...
And so begins our trip to Chicago...for the 5th time. This summer I've taken you to several different places in Maine and in the early summer I took you on a trip to New York City and Central Park. Today, you get to see Chicago with me, another city that doesn't really sleep. Another very easy walking city. Well not so much for me this time with my bad knee, but even with that knee, that doesn't want to go anywhere anymore, we were able to see the city we love, meet with friends and once again fill ourself up with great culture, window shopping and fantastic food.
For us Chicago is an easy trip..2 hour plane ride, then the train into the city. This time we did Uber on the way back to the airport and that seems to work much better and it was really quite reasonable... Oh, that Magnificent Mile...do you see Burberry above. I love that plaid scarf but only for looking at. So let's get started on our tour of downtown...and maybe later I'll share my food and friends post. I do have to say here though, that we stayed with really good friends. One of my very first Flicker friends. Such gracious and sweet young people, who have become part of our family...so many gifts they bring to our lives...If you want, you can read more about them here.
Whenever we come to the city, this is our first stop. It is right where the train lets us off, up one flight of stairs and you're there. Jim love this place. They referred to it all the time on Saturday night live..it's limited, only burgers and hot dogs. No fries, just chips, no pepsi, just coke..and Schlitz on tap. You probably figured out we grew up in the 60's..
The beginning of the Magnificent Mile...tall buildings and lots of people, although on this day it wasn't so crowded. September is such a good travel month...
We sat for tea in the afternoon. The weather was perfect. Sidewalk seating and always the best people watching. This lovely was enjoying her joint and dancing and doing yoga poses and talking up a storm to herself, for all who cared to watch..like me. I love people watching. Her dancing was abruptly cut short as three of Chicago's finest came by and smelled the weed..she quickly packed up and vacated the property, with her escorts trailing behind her...
I'm not promoting him by any means but I had to include his building in the architecture of the city...of course, he's the tallest of them all...such a show off. Trump Tower. LOL
Late afternoon..looking down toward Lake Michigan with the sun going down over the city
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Crown fountain as you walk along Grant Park...the kids have so much fun here. It was the perfect day for running through the spray.
Another little park connected to Grant Park along Michigan Ave...everyone was out enjoying the day..
Just another of the many beautiful statue's in the city...
Everytime I go, I end up at the Bean...it is just so much fun to take photo's here...I'd love to come really early some morning before any people arrive...can you find me.
On our way to the Field Museum, we had to walk over a bridge..this shot was taken on the bridge, looking back into the city..I think it is really the view that tells the story of downtown Chicago the best. The tracks give the feeling of another era, while the modern buildings tell of today. Chicago is a fascinating, fun, cultural, food loving city. No car necessary, just good walking shoes. I would also recommend the book, The Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson. Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America in 1893.
Home now for awhile but so many great memories of our little summer trips this year. Although we do love seeing the bigger world, lately we have felt the pull to stay home and visit our own country. There is a lot to offer in these United States and we've got some more milage to add on. See you on the next trip...much closer to home...
"You are an aperture through which the world is looking at and exploring itself." Allen Wilson Watts.
Reader Comments (10)
Oh I've been waiting for this post! Yes, I want that plaid scarf! I adore plaid...all kinds and ways to wear it, or cover up with it...coats, throws, skirts, scarves. We'll I'm part Scottish so that is why I love it. Now, on to your Chicago tour. I've been there many times, but always arrive either on the train and walk straight to Michigan Avenue to shop, or zip right on by downtown on I-90 and head to the burbs where family used to live.. And my oh my, since I first went there at the age of 12 things have changed, a lot. You have shown me new and exciting places, except for the train yard. I actually love taking the train there...from that seat you get a real tour of the city life. Oh Cheryl, I wonder? Did you see our old Pentax film camera any place up there? Ha ha....it got left in the back seat (by hubby) of a cab....never did we see that camera again! We rode the grandest rides at Riverside Park when I was 12, and wooden framed roller coasters. That gal with the joint...that is something else! Well, I loved your tour and photos. Such a grand shot of Trump Tower, and downtown. I need to ask my son if he ate at the burger place. He loves the Blues Brothers.
Oh Beverly...you have quite a Chicago story yourself...it must have been exciting to a 12 year old and yes, probably some new thing but I'm betting lots of it might feel the same to you if you were to go back...I think that train station for one is original...I also love plaid..I think it's because my family comes from Nova Scotia and we all had tarten clothing growing up... Burberry is a lovely company and one time Jenna gave me a scarf from there for a Christmas present...someone stole it off the back of my chair in a restaurant..I was heartbroken..Jim gave me another one a few years later but it is not the Burberry signature pattern..I wanted it to be unknown so no one would take it again..I still have it. So glad you enjoyed Chicago with me...thanks for your lovely visit...and for sharing.
I have never been to Chicago. It looks
like another wonderful city we'll have to visit sometime!
Liz you would love it here.. so easy to navigate. No car necessary and much slower paced than New York city...and easy trip from Boston to...we just love it...the food is great...
Well, my Dear Cheryl, you may be talking me into finally going here! I can't tell you how much I'm dying to go to the Art Institute! Our kids have taken a train there from Michigan, so we have talked about meeting up some time . . . thanks for the reminder! I so admire your spirit of adventure and all you've overcome to travel like you do. You definitely are my SHEro, girl! Traveling just stresses me to the max, and I don't acclimate well, so those are serious considerations. I thoroughly enjoy following your journeys here behind my screen! Seriously! You have such a gift for storytelling and making us feel as if we're right along with you! I'm still catching up on my sleep from GRB! Isn't that crazy? Sending you oodles of love and hoping your knee will get a nice new replacement some day! Modern medicine is truly miraculous now-a-days! Hugs to you and Jim. We thought about you every time we drove down to Cape Porpoise or Bradbury's Country Market . . . LOVE that place! We got lobsters from the lady just up the street who steamed them for us! xox
You've been five times to Chicago and I haven't been once! Hmmm. I guess my default is New York. But you have inspired me to check it out. You draw me in with your stories and then I get really interested in the images. Quite a talent you have my friend. Love the Bean a lot but all your images shine.
Hi Cheryl, I found your blog through Liz Thomas' blog. What a wonderful post of Chicago! My daughter is attending college there and I visited the City for the first time a few years ago. Love your pictures, you really captured the feel of downtown. We did not see that sculpture (pic # 9) on any of our visits so far, but I just messaged my daughter to check out this post and find that sculpture as I want to see it next time I visit. :)
Great description of Chicago! I've never been there but would love to go. I adore that scarf, as well as the way it's displayed flying out like that! Such a fun post! thank you Cheryl!
Oh yes, that scarf is fabulous (although I'm sure the price is not :) )! Thank you for this marvelous tour of Chicago, Cheryl, everyone I know who has been there has absolutely loved it and judging by your wonderful images, I can see why! I'm adding it to my bucket list.
Are you trying to citify me? I'm telling Oprah! Oprah turned totally country, she has cows, horses, big garden and 5 dogs. I wish I could work for her. LOL