Chicago-Old & New

---

Hello, everyone,

We've had two wonderful days exploring Chicago! Since we're staying in Joliet, 30+ miles from Chicago (reason being free room @ Harrah's), we debated driving into the city, or taking the train. Ended up driving, and were pretty proud of ourselves that we got where we wanted to go, thanks to good directions from the front desk staff. Yesterday we parked at Navy Pier, and first of all took a boat tour that took us on the Chicago River for a 1 1/2 hr. architectural/historical tour. We had read about this particular company, and the docent was excellent. Learned so much about the various buildings that make up downtown, and some of the history behind them. Sure was fun going under the bridges! Did you know that the direction of the Chicago River was reversed? We didn't until we took this tour. Then we took took a hop on/hop off tour on a double-decker bus. It covered many areas of the city, including the downtown Loop, the museum area where Shedd Aquarium is located, the Millenium Park area and the Miracle Mile. We then took a spur tour which went to Chinatown, Little Italy, and Greektown. It also took us by the studio where Oprah films her show and through the medical district. One of the advantages of an open top bus is that you can experience the aromas of the different areas of the city.....going through Chincatown and Little Italy definitely made our mouths water! Since we were so busy trying to see as much of the city as possible, we missed lunch, so after completing all the stops on the tour, ended up eating dinner at Bubba Gump's at Navy Pier. One advantage to that is that we missed most of the commuter traffic going back to the hotel. By the time we got there it was 8:30, a very full day. We felt as if we got a good overview of the city, especially the downtown area. Today we got to explore some sections of the city in more depth, thanks to a program called "Chicago Greeter". We registered for it before we even left home, and they matched us with a volunteer guide, a wonderful native Chicagoan named Sheri. We corresponded a bit by email in order for her to determine what areas/aspects of the city we were interested in. Told here that we were particularly interested in the old Polish section of the city because both my paternal grandparents spent a significant amount of time in Chicago after they emigrated. Sheri did considerable research in order to guide us to the right section of the city. She then took us to Old Town, where were some wooden buildings, which are notable because they were constructed after the Great Fire but before the city mandated using brick or stone rather than wood. Again, it was interesting to explore a residential neighborhood. As part of the Greeter program, we were given a one day pass on the Chicago Transit system, and with Sheri leading the way, we took the subway, a bus, and the "El" elevated train. At the end of our time together, she even took us to a place where we could get a good Chicago hot dog. With her as our guide, we were able to experience parts of the city that we would have never ventured into. The Visitor Center is located in the former public library building, and before we set off, she showed us some amazing mosaics and a Tiffany domed ceiling in the building that we never would have known were there. Again, a very full day, but a fun and interesting one as well. My overall impression of Chicago is that it has all the advantages of a big city, but with the friendliness and openness of the Midwest, a great combination. Headed off to Indiana tomorrow to spend the weekend with Tom's sister & family.....a welcome change of pace. As Forrest would say, "that's all I have to say about that!" Tom & Nancy

---