A weekend in Chicago.

Surely you know "The Bean"? Blue sky but no leaves on the trees.

This was early spring. It's been years since I lived there. There was no "Bean" last time I was there.

Looks like a wonderful trip. I've always wanted to spend some time in Chicago.

I lived and worked there a couple times many years ago. I would love to visit again.

They are some nice pics. I spent four hours in Chicago years ago during a layover on a trip to Texas. It is truely an awesome sight with all those buildings being so big.

I hope you can go back someday Tom. It's a wonderful city to visit.

I would like to but money has been tight for sometime now. Maybee if we get the chance to go to my nephews graduation in Iowa next year we can visit Chicago again.

The first picture is of course the Water Tower. It was one of two structures to survive the Great Fire of 1871. (The other building was St. Patrick's church).

The "bean" has only been around for a few years. It became the crowning jewel of "Millenium Park" this decade. I know one of the iron workers who was part of the team that installed and prepared it for exhibition. It is a great sculpture.

And, I love our street performers. They bring so much fun and joy to unsuspecting tourists.

Chicago is my city. I was born and raised in Chicago. It is always a pleasure to read an article like yours, Nancy. The photos are great.

Thanks Joe. I loved it the few months I lived there. I've always wanted to take the kids & now the grandkids but so expensive to do that. The school trips are nice.

Looks like a great visit. I've never been to Chicago, just know what some things look like from tv shows. We were supposed to stop in Chicago on our road trip and decided to go a different direction. I wanted to go but hubby didn't. It looks like a great place!

I hope you can go someday Risa. It's a great city with so very many places to see.

I want the frog! Did she bring him home for me?

Sorry Renee. You'll have to go get him yourself. Lol.

awww man and I think I love him lol

Looks like a fun place to visit

Go if you ever get the chance Rebecca.

pretty pictures..

Thanks Larry.

I was born and raised in Chicago and still work inside of the city and go through downtown Chicago everyday. Thanks for the photos.

I envy you Brian, except for the traffic. Lol.

I just drove through Chicago today on my way home to Minnesota!

Last time I went to Michigan I tried to bypass the busiest roads around Chicago. I still got penned in on 4 sides by semi's. Scary!!

she got some GREAT pictures!

She got a few more I would have liked to show but they all had her friends with tongues out or lips pooched. Why do girls do that? Lol.

I don't know Sis, I haven't been a "girl" for several years LOL

Chicago is a fun city. Wouldn't it be fun to hop-scotch across America, hitting the good ones? NY, Washington, Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, Portland (;-)), San Francisco, LA, San Diego, Phoenix. Did I miss any hot spots?

LV!

That would be great Ellie. Especially with a bunch of close friends.

Yes, you missed at least one and I'd love to be your guide Ellie! Surprisingly, at least to you, I am certain that Detroit will knock your socks off having a lot to offer folks that don't expect it and there's so much to see and do. You'd have a great time, the only thing is it is best (in my opinion anyway) to go when there isn't any snow and ice of course, it can be quite beautiful downtown on the river!

The first is the Old Water Tower on Pearson and Michigan Avenue, I used to hang out in the square every day between classes, there is a bookstore there that I practically lived in.

The second is the Bean, or Cloud Gate, in Millennium Park-- its a crowd pleaser and I had it as my icon for a while.

Street performers on Michigan Avenue are tons of fun, and it looks like someone went to see the new Hershey Store-- thats also on LUC campus.

Then you have a new sculpture in Millennium park and of course the Crown Fountains. Every few minutes jets of water spray from the mouths of the people pictured on there.

Oh, and then Rainforest Cafe, on Ohio I believe. I never went to that one as I don't like that restaurant, but one of my fave clubs is right across the street.

Thanks Sophie for the commentary.

Thanks Sophie. So many new things for me. I was hoping they would go to the Museum of Science & Industry but they didn't.

Oh, I do, too, need to get back to Chicago. I remember being a sophmore in college visiting a classmate in Angola, Indiana and her Dad paid for us to go up to the windy city for 4 days. Need to go back....my Will was there last Spring and he told me there is much to do.

Sophie did a good job of naming the sites. The Museum of Science & Industry is a considerable ways south from where these photos were taken.

Obviously it's been too long since I have done the town myself, wasn't able to help with much either! I do remember that the Chicago Institute of Arts has always been a favorite must do of mine there. Such a wonderful town, so much art and amibience, that 'monolith' very impressive, and the characters on the street are great! Thanks for sharing the pics Nancy!

It's a great town Ruth. I was just 5 or 6 the only time I've been to Detroit. All I remember is asking my dad if that was the Flint river and he laughed. Hurt my feelings cause I thought the Flint river went on forever. Lol.

lol on the river Nancy! I can imagine if that was where you had grown up, things just seem so Large as a child and on going back our memory insists it had to be much bigger! I've known a great number of folks quite impressed with the Detroit River, as river's go it is amazing, the view of Canada and the Ambassador Bridge add to the wonder. I know that people here, and most that have not seen it, certainly have no idea of it and just don't get it at all, when they see it generally all they can say is, "I see what you mean about the river!" We do have rivers in Arizona that evidently fit the definition enough for the name but to me they are large streams or cricks at best! I do keep my laughter to myself but can't help tell them about 'my' river, that has always been my place, no matter what age I was or what was happening in my life, where total peace and serenity could be found when it seemingly didn't exist anywhere else, I could sit there forever and be happy. The river truly calls, it still calls to me and I'll always return to it, is irresistable

I have always wanted to go but never made it. It looked like you passed as much in as you could in a weekend. I've always heard that walking down 5th avenue, there's a good chance you'll run into Orpha...is that a possibility?

Actually, Amanda, you would have to walk up Randolph Street west of the downtown area (known as the Loop) to get a glimpse of Oprah. Her studio is in the midst of a factory and market district. She won't spend much time chatting, but she will acknowledge you and thank you for your loyalty. Of course, you have to be here during the months of June and August to see her. She spends the other months in her California home and only flies to Chicago once or twice a month.

Great photos!