Chicago

To any golfer reading this, The first hole Don lost his club on, he landed on the green, The ball, not the club.

Alright, where is my Thesaurus? I need some new words. We didn't want to drive into Chicago again, so we took the train from  small town. Met  a wonderful lady at the station. Marguerite, if you are reading this, thank you again for your hospitality. She was going to meet 9 friends at the next stop and they were going into Chicago for the day. They invited us to join them. We quickly accepted. For all you worldly travelers, you probably know all this, but Don and I Drive everywhere. We don't take trains. We didn't have any real plans for the city, so our new friends were a big help. I was so interested in the ticket clips on each seat and the narrow double decker seats. Again, I am easily amused. The trains were really quiet, nothing like Bart.  When we arrived in Chicago, we were introduced to the Pedway system. We walked a few blocks and then our guides whisked us underground. We were surprised to discover a whole new world. Shops, restaurants, businesses. Everything was wide open, with lots of light. What a great system for the Windy City. Two of the ladies acted as guides for the group. We kept stopping and they would tell us about the place we were. We went to City Hall and saw the beautiful interior. Saw a few more places and then on to the Chicago Cultural Center for  piano concert.  It was in the former city library. New word needed. The concert was held beneath a huge dome made  by Tiffany and the walls were all tiny mosaic tiles, also by Tiffany as were the lights. We left the ladies with hugs and a bit of sadness and ventured out on our own. While putting Jr. on one of the famous fiberglass cow, he made a new friend. The lady wanted to get on the cow with Jr. because so many people were taking pictures of him. She said take a picture of a big monkey and a little monkey. Fortunately she couldn't get on.
We went to the Jay Pritzker Pavillion and saw our first view of the Great Lakes. Windy, but we were finally taking off our gloves. There were great colorful sculptures that I know the kids will love. Then to the Cloud Gate sculpture. It is made of highly polished stainless steel. The locals call it the bean. From underneath you can see yourself reflected over and over. There was a group of teenagers with laundry baskets on their heads. I don't know what that was about because they were being filmed and I didn't want to  bother them.  The Crown fountains were wonderful. Tall columns covered with glass tiles with water flowing down them. Faces are projected on them and are cosnstantly changing. A stream of water comes from the mouths at different times. Great place for the kids in the summer.
We then went to the Sears Tower AKA Willis tower. Went through security and then a 1 minute elevator ride to the Skydeck. On the screen in the elevator they showed you the height and buildings you were passing height wise. 1,353 feet, 103 floors, 412 meters. Tallest bldg in the Western Hemisphere. Glass floor to ceiling windows all around.  I was overwhelmed by the tall buildings. They make SF look like a small town. Then we went to THE LEDGE. 4 1/2 foot deep glass boxes hanging outside the bldg. First we sent jr. out to check it and then i went out with him. Then my brave husband who is afraid of heights went out. Again I was very proud of him. We went next to Union Station. It also was very impressive but my favorite things were the stairs. They were Marble and had been worn down by the millions of feet that had climbed them. We walked around some more just acting like tourist. The most amazing bldgs were now just being used for ordinary stores. We found our way back to Olgivie Station and actually found the right train. We joked about being on the wrong train, but the poor young man in the seat behind us, couldn't get off at the stop he wanted and had to go 6 stops further. Not all trains stopped at all stations. I felt so bad for him. We made it home safely and I loved the signs in the depot parking lots. They made me remember when Ricky and Lucy moved to the country and she would take him to the train.  We are in Lincoln Country now. Springfield. More tomorrow.  Thanks to those who are sending us Emails. We are having a great adventure but enjoy thee news from home.