TOURING CHICAGO

Millennium Park

After a good night's sleep, we spent the day exploring Chicago. We started by taking the "L" and a short walk to Millennium Park. From there we got on a double decker bus with an open top to tour a large part of the city. Luckily for us, the weather was mild so we didn't bake as we rode atop the tour bus. There were intermittent clouds and sunshine with an occasional sprinkle. Later in the day after we finished our bus tour some heavy rain came down. Our timing was nearly flawless.

This jersey must be size 500XL

Right now just about everyone we encounter in Chicago is talking about the Blackhawks, their NHL team currently playing the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals. Hockey isn't just a fringe sport here as it is back home. In the photos that follow, you'll see the statues in front of the Art Institute of Chicago wearing Blackhawks helmets and a dinosaur skeleton statue at the Field Museum of Natural History wearing a Blackhawks jersey. The Blackhawks hold a 3-2 lead and a win tonight will bring the Stanley Cup back to Chicago. I hope they win it so ice hockey, which has no business being played in the summer, can be put to rest for a few months.

Looking down on the Chicago River from our 22nd floor hotel room

The view south across the river

A river taxi heads down river

The river splits here with the taxi going to the left

The "L" travels over the river on The Loop

 

An early morning tour on the Chicago River

Our hotel sits above the Chicago Sun Times building

Shannon looks over the river from Wacker Street on the south bank of the river.

Shannon with the L crossing the Wells Street Bridge behind her.

The view up river from the Franklin-Orleans Street Bridge.

Shannon in the Merchandise Mart L Station

On the streets of Chicago

What city is it we're visiting?

At the entrance to Millennium Park on Randolph Street

Did I mention we're at Millennium Park?

Someone will have to explain this to me

If you have Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album, you've seen
the 65-story towers of Marina City on the north bank of the river

The landmark Chicago Theater

So many tall buildings...

Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears

It looks like a flying saucer landed on an old football stadium

The recent remodeling cost Soldier Field its landmark status.

It may not look like much but Bears fans seem to love the improvements

Where else can you see such an odd stadium design with old and new together?

Approching the Field Museum of Natural History

More photos to be added soon...