CHICAGO, CHICAGO!!!!

We are in Chicago. Well, the suburb of Joliet, which is a train ride away! We are staying in an "urban park". That can be read as yucky... although this park has a large lake, two swimming pools, paddle boats, etc., etc.  And it is crowded and dusty.  A big change from the beautiful open spaces we have gotten so used to.

Lake at our campground

Here is the dusty and crowded part...

Also, I should tell you that Joliet is home to the original Dairy Queen (now the site of a church)...and the old Joliet Prison, which is where the scene of Jake leaving jail in "The Blues Brothers" was filmed.

We hope you all appreciate these tidbits. We want this to be an educational experience for everyone.

So... Chicago.  We took the train in yesterday. It was a pleasant hour-long trip, even given the number of rabid Cubs fans who were on their way to a game. The weather was perfect. in the 80's and not sticky at all. We were amazed at the downtown area, the incredibly  diverse architecture, the parks, and the artwork spaced here and there. We took an "architectural boat cruise" along the river, which was very interesting and educational.

Architectural boat tour

Sears Tower (now called Willis Tower)

New architecture reflecting old...

We strolled through Millenium Park. Everywhere you turn, you find interesting art work. Like "the bean" (real name: Cloud Gate)

Inside the bean

And Crown Fountain, which had digital faces on huge water-covered monoliths...which periodically spit water at the crowds of eagerly waiting children.

Like Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park out by the Lake...

We walked out to Lake Michigan. The water was sparkling and blue, and we watched the sail boats, and motor yachts. Across the bay was the Museum of Science and Industry. We are going to go there today.

We also succumbed to the lure of the deep dish Italian pizza for which Chicago is famous. To be "healthy" we ordered a vegetarian pizza (mushrooms, spinach, roma tomatoes) which came with about FOURTEEN pounds of cheese.  It was very good. One per lifetime, though, is probably enough. (We might have another today!)