I’ve just returned from a week-long trip to my beloved Chicago. My friend Sara joined me and, as it was her first trip, we decided to do something touristy that I’d always wanted to do, but never had. We took an architectural boat tour down the Chicago River. We were both really impressed with the tour; I especially could not believe things I’d walked by a hundred times without noticing.
Chicago is a beautiful city and holds a place in my heart that no other city in the world will ever begin to touch.
Marina Towers
Had no idea there were water taxis in Chicago.
I thought it was cool the way the other buildings were reflected in the glass of this one.
I find this one strangely gorgeous.
To paraphrase Sharon Olds, “The el still slides by with that ease that made me bitter when I wanted all things hard as your death was hard.” Amazing, the heady mix of memories that can be conjured up when witnessing something you find incredibly beautiful.
River City condominiums. Super weird, but interesting homes.
Good luck trying to get people to call it Willis Tower, jackasses.
Trump Tower. Not as heinous as I thought it would be. In fact, I kind of like it.
Trump Tower juxtaposed with its architectural anti-twin, the Wrigley Building. It works somehow, right?
I was pretty damned cold for much of this tour.
I love you, Chicago, for all you have to offer and for every single ghost of my life I’ve left you to care for until I return.
That looks like great trip. What great pictures. That one with the cable crossing is very cool looking. I cannot wait to get to Chicago. AH, some day.
By: Mindy on May 10, 2009
at 5:45 pm
The tattoo is amazing!!!!
By: Mindy on May 10, 2009
at 5:50 pm
Beautiful Heather. I have always wanted to visit Chicago.
By: Michele in Playa on May 11, 2009
at 7:26 am
Glad to see you back. Was getting worried (not that you know me from Adam, but still…).
Going to Chi next weekend to meet a girlfriend. She’s from LA, I’m from country-Michigan=City mouse + County mouse = Chicago = WIN!
By: MrsBug on May 11, 2009
at 9:03 am
Hey Heather – Even though I haven’t lived in the city for some 30+ years after having grown up there and living in the Logan Square neighborhood for the first 25 years of my life, it is still home to me. You have some nice shots of the city. I was surprised you didn’t know of the taxis, though. Next time in you’ll have to do some more touristy stuff like going to the top of the Hancock, checking out “the Bubble,” shopping on Michigan Avenue, visiting the Water Tower Place, going to the Lincoln Park Zoo, etc. And giving me a call!!!
Take good care. H
By: Herb on May 11, 2009
at 10:51 am
Herb: I’ve definitely done all of the other things you recommend (except I don’t know what the Bubble is!), but didn’t have much time on this trip, so we went with something neither of us had done before. I love and miss Chicago more every day, which says something to me about my future.
By: heatherinparadise on May 11, 2009
at 12:39 pm
I love, love, love your photos! My husband and I would really like to visit Chicago, but first we have to visit San Fran and take the Bullet tour.
By: Darla on May 11, 2009
at 3:28 pm
Heather,
It’s great to have you back. Your new tattoo is great and you look great, even when cold.
La Dulce and I both love Chicago. I think it may be my favorite U.S. city. The parks and lakefront are so nice along with the ethnic neighborhoods and super restaurants. Before we were married, Susan lived there so I visited often.
By: hammockmanpaul on May 12, 2009
at 6:02 pm
James and I did this same boat tour, and I loved it. I remember being cold and windblown for a lot of it, but it was really fascinating. I’d love to get back there – we had a great time.
By: thisbumpyjourney on May 13, 2009
at 1:04 pm
Greetings to Mexico, Heather.
And gosh — how I love Chicago. The architecture is simply amazing, and the atmosphere so much more laid back than New York (which I love, too, in a much more frenetic way).
I ran the Chicago Marathon once — it was an unusual way to arrange a tour … but I saw all of the city, and all in one day!
Kind regards from London.
By: Roads on May 20, 2009
at 12:39 pm
We just went on the river tour earlier this week, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve been to Chicago several times, all brief, and this was my husband’s first visit. The architectural tour was a great introduction to the city, and I’m sure we’ll be back.
By: tragicsandwich on June 27, 2009
at 7:11 pm