6/29/09

Chicago Tuesday - My World

Continuing with the recap of last weeks Chicago holiday.

We headed down the Magnificent Mile past the Water Tower, one of the few old buildings to survive the Great Chicago Fire.

This is the old Pumping Station facing it across the street.

Past another unidentified old building, once again highlighting the contrasts between old and the new here.

Our final destination was the Hancock Tower, to see Chicago from a 1000 ft above.

And it was quite a sight, although a little hazy due to the heat.

Across the bay towards Navy Pier stretching into the lake.

It's easy to spot the hotel pools and swimmers at 1000 ft up!

Navy Pier close-up, even from here the Ferris Wheel looks big!

Looking out across the city, our hotel was somewhere down there. That tall building with 2 antenna is the Sears Tower.

And the stunning view down the shoreline and beach area. A trip up the Hancock Tower is a must, as it's shoreline position is wonderful and we just loved it up there.

Then onto one of the undoubted highlights of our whole visit!

When you come across a joyous scene like this in the midst of a huge busy city, you can't help but smile.

A hi-tech bustling water park, with a distinctly modern art edge!

This adorable little girl was having a ball splashing in the water.

And what a perfect photo opportunity she gave me.

These glass block waterfalls are the reason for all the happiness and joy in this area. Water pours off the top of them, creating actual and visual waterfalls!

They face each other and show the faces of Chicago residents.

Everyone just sits, stands or plays whilst watching the expressions change, as they smile at each other across the space.

And then this happens and everybody laughs, or runs into the plume of water shrieking.

They are just wonderful pieces of interactive art. I have rarely seen any piece of art be the cause of this much happiness and fun, we both just adored them.

'Cloud Gate' is an amazingly stunning and fabulously positioned sculpture, by British artist Annish Kapoor.

It has rapidly become the iconic symbol for Chicago and is lovingly referred to as 'The Bean' by the locals, much to the chagrin of the artist.

It lends itself perfectly to the wacky photo opportunity of course!

On the underside it acts like a kaleidoscope and stays cooler.

Part of the fun is spotting yourself within it, but it also reflects the surrounding skyscrapers beautifully and is just stunning.

The Bean is gorgeous from all angles, but I have to admit this one reminds me a little of a seated butt!!

We strolled back down the Magnificent Mile, crossing the river with it's many tours and enjoying the cooling breeze off the lake.

Past the famous 1940's Farmer and his Daughter statue that pays tribute to the original painting. The Hubster remembers these characters from his youth and so we had to have a picture.

After a quick freshen up, we headed out to meet Expat Mum and her family, the Hubster by now is an old hand at meeting my blog buddies! She very bravely invited us to her home, much to the chagrin of her daughter, who worried we might be homicidal murderers! Do pop over to read her version. But we soon seemed to reassure her and had a delightful time with Toni, her husband and her highly entertaining children.

Us grown-ups then headed over the road to a pub, where we enjoyed a lovely dinner and alot of chatter. It was great to meet up with a fellow expat blogger and once again find much in common. I do however have one bone to pick with them....

Knowing the Hubster is a big Chicago Cubs fan, they presented him with this pair of Harry Carrey spectacles, much to his glee. Needless to say they have been making a few appearances and he keeps threatening to wear them out in public. Toni my friend, you have no idea what you started, as he would just to embarress me!

Tomorrow our tour will continue with the Field Museum, Planetarium, Pizza and fireworks over Navy Pier viewed from the top of the Hancock Tower.

To join in the fun go to My World Tuesday

30 comments:

Sandra said...

Amazing pictures!!! Thank you for this interesting tour and greetings from Croatia.

Sylvia K said...

What fabulous shots of a really fun time in Chicago! Feel as though I made the trip myself! Thanks for sharing the fun!

karen said...

How absolutely fabulous! I just love the views, and the glass waterfalls,and the Cloud Gate! Great that you managed to meet another blog friend, too! :)

Jane Hards Photography said...

Woah! Slow down gal. These are terrific. A city I have always wanted to go too. I forget what tall building look like here.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

You guys had some major fun! I loved the bean and the waterfalls especially. Thanks for taking us along.

VictorianCobweb said...

Love the mini vacation I took thru your pics and commentary! The old buildings like the pump station and such are favs, the sites from atop the Hancock and the bean are wonderful. But the best is the looks on the childrens faces playing in the water park.

Pat said...

I've never been to Chicago, but now I'm thinking we must go, after reading this post. Great photos! I loved the Cloud Gate and the glass block waterfalls.

Girl Tornado said...

Another lovely day had by you and the hubster! I just adore the first few photos of the old buildings - I am so glad they survived the fires. At first the water tower appeared to be a church! I had to enlarge it to get a closer look - and that building with the vines all over it is just gorgeous! I'm a sucker for any building that looks like a cottage. :)

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

These pictures made my day! The scale of the public art and the way art and public interact is something else. Thank you for sharing.

I'M FEELING VERY...small....RIGHT NOW!

Sherri said...

Sarah, I love all the photos! Glad you are having so much fun!

Expat mum said...

Ha ha ha! He looks better in them than I did.
Great photos once again. On the photo up the beach taken from the Hancock tower, you can almost see my house. Just a bit inleand from the beach that juts out to the right (east) and up a bit.
You're doing a great job for the Chicago tourist business.

Arija said...

What a fabulous post on Chicago that wonderful town! Glorious photos of delightful scenes.
No stone unturned, just a great visual experience!!!

smitten by britain said...

Don't you just love the art work? The with the faces is my favorite. What fun!

Daryl said...

Love these .. but I am wondering, are you sure the building with the swimming pool on top is a hotel? I ask because a friend's apartment/condo building has a rooftop pool that looks just like that ...

Carver said...

You took some great shots in Chicago. I enjoy the city's architecture and other shots but my favorite has to be the children playing in the water.

Unknown said...

I'd love to see the bean and those glasses are a hoot. I saw them on his facebook page and was trying to figure out what he was up to, so now I know!!!

Nancy said...

Chicago is fantastic - I have never been so going on this little photo tour has been fun and enlightening. Loved the glasses! So glad you had such a wonderful time.

Gaelyn said...

Sarah these are incredible images of the city. I recognize some of the places that have been around for over 30 years. Yet so many new places. Love the Milenium Park. That little girl is so happily absorbed in the water fun. And the Sky Cloud does make for some great visuals. You do have a great eye for composition. Thanks for sharing these and I so look forward to more. Now I don't have to back there myself. LOL!

LadyFi said...

That water park is so creative, unique and joyous! I just love it - especially when the faces spurt out water!

Erin said...

what an amazing post sarah...loved all your photos and commentary. it made me feel like i was in the middle of it all with you. love that water feature and of course cloud gate is awesome...just awesome. loved it all!
have a fab day.

The Factory said...

Stunning, I need to go there.

Louise said...

I love this post! I have never spent any amount of time in Chicago--mostly just passing through. Looks like a perfect vacation destination. Love your photos,and your husband looks like Liam Neeson (sp?) in the one at the top of the tower. (NOT with the glasses on!)

Fred said...

Great photos! Looks like you had a great time.

I went to Chicago a few years ago to attend a Cubs and White Sox game. We took in the sights in downtown Chicago and I took very similar photos. It really is a hospitable town.

Reader Wil said...

Fabulous photos! I didn't know there are so many places in a big city to enjoy oneself. The "bean" is gorgeous and the pool is great! Thanks for showing this all.

Peggy said...

Sarah;

You have wonderful pictures, I am entranced, truly!
Can't wait til tomorrow!
I even love my city more thanks to your pics.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Sarah: What great photos from the trip. I sure am glad you turned out to be a normal person.

Kay said...

Really, really incredible photos, Sarah. I'm having such a good time! I've never seen that Farmer and his daughter statue.

My son was really nervous about us going to a blogger's house. I think it's funny that our kids are more cautious than us.

Anonymous said...

I like all your pics - but I like the Navy Pier view, Cloud Gate, and The Farmer the best I think. You should be a tour guide.. this is great!

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time in Chicago. Millenium Park is a favorite, especially when the weather is nice.

Anonymous said...

Hello, as you can see this is my first post here.
Hope to get some help from you if I will have any quesitons.
Thanks in advance and good luck! :)