Day 34 Visiting Chicago, IL

June 22

Visiting Chicago, IL 

Our campsite is about an hour from downtown Chicago.   All of the way in, road construction on the interstate and twice we had to go through toll booths at $1.50 each.  But once arrived, took a wrong turn and almost got lost but we made it thanks to Garmin and the transit map we had.  On the way to the pier, walking, the wind picked up and was blowing between the buildings, misting.  After arriving at the pier and looking back at the city, a mist was taking over the buildings.  Grey line bus tours leaving from here, trolley tours as well as a free trolley tour. Busy! Ships tied along the pier ready to go on harbour tours, dinner tours, weddings (which we must have seen at least 7), tall ship and a large jet boat all loading up with passengers.  The pier is long and has shopping, food, and entertainment!

 

Chicago’s skyscrapers are amazing.  The architecture, the height, and the detail on the buildings!  It’s too bad the fire of 1871 destroyed a huge portion of the downtown old wooden buildings.  We decided against paying $45 per person on the guided trolley and just walked from the pier to the John Hancock Observatory.  Up to the 94^th floor, to see an amazing view of the city sky line.  You can see across Lake Michigan plus four states on a clear day.  The mist had blown away and we had a great 360 degree view.

 

We followed the trolley route and walked to the Magnificent Mile, shopping Tiffany’s; Rolex; you know the stores with guards in them!  Walking over the Michigan Avenue Bridge into the Block Thirty Seven shopping area, there were Zombies walking along heading in our direction.  I think there were over a hundred.  They attracted a following walking all through the shopping district to a square for a gathering and then later we saw them at Millenium Park.  

 Michigan Ave Bridge

 Zombie gathering

Walking back toward the lake is Grant Park and Millenium Park which features Cloud Gate (The Bean).  Pritzker Pavilion has free concerts and they were getting ready to set one up and giving away free popcorn.  By this time we had been walking around since 11 am and now it was 5 pm.  Time to walk back to the truck and find our way out of the city back to our campsite.

Bean - we are in the centre back

After dinner we walked to the pub next door to watch the 3^rd period of the Chicago – Boston game 5.  A wedding was going on next door and a few of them were watching the third period with us.  Chicago won 3 – 0  Full moon tonight, right above the campsite! 

Stats: 

Today's distance: 140 miles return to KOA 

Weather:  Sunshine with clouds; High: 25 degrees; Lo: 20 degrees

Campsite:  Chicago Northwest KOA

Walking:  approx 70 blocks around the downtown of Chicago

Today's news event:  Calgary Saddledome flooded

Sports Event:  Chicago beat Boston in Game 5; Series now 3 – 2 for Chicago

Illinois Stats:

Flower:  Violet

Bird:  Cardinal