Boats in the Montrose Harbor in Chicago, Illinois. I had never been to Chicago and was quite surprised to find out what a unique and beautiful city it was! I stayed with my friends Rick and Ellen Coffin for a week and had such a wonderful time. One day we walked down to the Montrose harbor and checked out all the colorful boats.
Being a lover of old signs, this one grabbed my attention. When I showed it to my son David, he was all impressed with the theater's sold out Lord Huron concert not the authentic Chicago sign! Both me and Ellen did not have a clue who Lord Huron was. Old people's disease.
Along the Chicago River they have created a gorgeous walkway complete with stellar views of the tall buildings, boats and coffee and ice-cream stores. I was in heaven.
The bridge over the river took us into more of the city. Some of its Uptown and some of its Downtown, but I never quite got the gist of that one.
My friends Rick and Ellen, who I have known for over 20 some years. Terrific hosts and beautiful friends. Thank you!
Since the summer season in Chicago is so short, everybody and his brother plants flowers, vegetable gardens and trees. Quite the place.
Community gardens in a multi family complex. Each family gets their own plot of land and uses it to grow herbs, veggies, fruit and flowers.
Colorful yellow and orange daisies, or sunflowers. Whatever. They were pretty.
A collage of life. So pretty.
One afternoon Rick met me and Ellen for lunch at one of Chicago's original pizza joints. Our table overlooked this fountain, which did its thing at the bottom of this very tall building!
Two houses, both very different, bot very old, in terms of my neighborhood!
Lots of old brick buildings have lasted for over 100 years. It is so amazing!
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church was dedicated on May 21, 1916. When the city wanted to widen the street in 1929, the 10,000 ton building was lifted from its foundation and pulled across the street by a gang of 50 men, steel jacks, rollers, chains, pulleys and two teams of horses! Quite an accomplishment to say the least.
I almost forgot to look up and see the ceiling! So amazingly gorgeous.
Ellen and I walked, drove, or rode the train to all her favorite places, Wrigley Field being just one of them! Heres to all you baseball fans!
Another old sign I spotted while out walking with my friend.
Ellen and I got lost trying to find Millennium Park, so after Rick met us for lunch, he found it for us! (I can't even say Millennium and had to look it up to find out how to spell it!)
Inside the park, we found the famous stainless steel sculpturec by Sir Anish Kapoor. It is formally titled Cloud Gate, but all the locals know it as "The Bean".
That would be me standing in the fountain cooling off after a long day of walking and riding the train. Such a treat!
On my last day in Chicago, Rick and Ellen taught a video class, so I boldly stepped out into the wild city and walked on my own. They live within walking distance of the beach at Lake Michigan, and that is where I found the geese!
Back at the Montrose Harbor, right before it rained. I safely made it back to their condo without a drop of water on me!
Indiana Dunes is the 60th National Park that I have visited, not my favorite one by any means. Out of our 61 National Parks, I only have one left to visit, the National Park of American Samoa! Yay! My son and his wife and kids, David, Lindsay, Eva and Leven, will be joining me in a week to fly out and spend the week snorkeling, swimming, hiking and sight seeing on several islands in Samoa. Yay again!
Good night to one and all. May the good Lord protect you and keep you safe. I stand with those who honor our God, our country and our families. Peace be with you. Susan Little