CHICAGO 2005: Brian & Cheryl's Walk-about

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This is our second trip to Chicago. The city had been experiencing a drought all summer until the day we landed in Toronto for our connnection to Chicago. There was a very large thunder and lightning storm that had our flight grounded at O'Hare Airport in Chicago. Ten hours later, we were back in the air; arriving at our hotel well after dark. Total travel time, 19 hours.

Cheryl had the Anti-Aging Conference to attend and I hit the streets to explore the sections that I missed from last year.

This is the Frank Geary designed, Millenium Bandstand ...which I had photos of from last year. These better represent the scale of its construction. There was an orchestra practicing an Aaron Copeland piece. I was back far enough that I couldn't see the stage or the musicians; for a moment, I felt as though I was in my own travelogue complete with sound score.

From Millenium Park you can head across a curving metal walk way to follow the miles of green space, trails and beaches along Lake Michigan.

These young cyclists had been stopped, warned and escorted by a mounted Policeman. I didn't see how it started; the result, they weren't happy bikers.

I like how the central entry areas of some buildings put the minimum of visual barrier between inside and out. Here the wall consists of steel cables, gaskets, glass and junctions to hold the three together.

The main core of Chicago is called the Loop because of the way the Elevated Train circles around the downtown buildings and streets. There are about a dozen publicly commissioned art pieces throughout the Loop.

This first one is in front of the newly built John Daley Center.

This is near the hotel where we stayed, the Chicago river and the beginning of the "famous" Magnificent Mile.

This is by Picasso.

The contrasting styles of architecture is Chicago.