Chicago: Part One

 This trip made me realize that the number of photos I take is outrageous and inappropriate.  I even edit and delete photos each night  of a trip and still end up with hundreds.  Our trip to Chicago made me realize that taking a million pics of tall buildings is over the top.  Will give a bit of narrative with the pics since I print this once in a while and use it as a family history book.  D traveled to Chicago on Tuesday for a conference.  The boys and I traveled up Thursday early AM to join him.  We had the day on Thursday to get started on sightseeing and we certainly took advantage.  We walked right over to Navy Pier with its famous ferris wheel and beautiful water and skyline views.

 This is Harry Carray: famous announcer for the Chicago Cubs baseball team.  We ate at his restaurant for lunch and G enjoyed the Cubs memorabilia all over.

 After lunch we checked out the hop on/ hop off tour and trolley bus.  Let me go ahead and say that we are not scared to be tourists when we go to see a new place.  This tour offered a 3 day pass that opened up opportunities to go all over Chicago.   We used this pass all day every day and went on every tour they had.  We used it as a shuttle to get closer to our hotel and never had to take a taxi (except for the trip from and to the airport).  The guides were interesting and we learned things we never would have known without the tour narrative. So while there is only one pic of us on the  bus below, we were on the bus a lot.

 Chicago River.....creepy, unnatural color.

 Wrigley Building--- love the clock tower.  

 Millennium Park is the newest in the Chicago riverfront park system.  It has this fantastic concert area with amazing acoustics.

 Also in Millennium Park is the Cloud Gate sculpture also known as "the bean".  Loved taking pics of it, pics of the skyline reflected in it, and pics of ourselves reflected in it.

 After touring around all day Thursday we went back to Navy Pier and rode the BIG ferris wheel.  E and I are not fond of heights and knew this would be conquering a fear.  M and G had no problem and enjoyed it.  D had never been on a ferris wheel of any size before and didn't know he was quite so scared of heights.  Really.  Like didn't want to talk during the ride or about the experience afterward.  I don't think he will be riding a ferris wheel anytime ever again.

 Friday morning we got up at regular time (6AM-- why can't the munchkins ever sleep in?). After stalling in the hotel room as long as possible we went to breakfast and then for a walk before our first bus tour.   So happy we were in the parks so early so I could take photos of a few things without lots of people around.  Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park.....

 The Millennium Park band shell and skyline seen in the distance from a garden.

 First tour of the day took us to north Chicago, specifically Wrigley Field home of the Chicago Cubs-- G's favorite baseball team.

 Second tour around lunchtime took us to west Chicago into the different neighborhoods.  Chinatown gate.

 We stepped off to get a closer look at the Joe Dimaggio statue in Little Italy and ended up having a terrific lunch.

 After all our tours we walked past the Chicago Tribune building on the way back to the hotel.  It is a beautiful building, but what makes it more interesting is that it has around 130 pieces of significant buildings or landmarks from around the world built into it.  Here are a few we liked...

 Friday was our longest day of running around and we ended the day with a city lights tour after dinner.  It wasn't very dark, but it was good enough for the kids.  Navy Pier.

 Night skyline as reflected in "the bean" sculpture peeking through the trees.

Thus ends the first two days in Chicago.  Will post the second piece tomorrow that will not be as long as this nor will it have so many pictures.   love and hugs, B