“Mother”, I said to her, a very long time ago, “Mother, I think I’ll go and see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra….” “That’s nice, dear, where are they performing?” she asked, showing a rare interest in what I might be getting up to. “Why – er – Chicago….” Mother grimaced her disapproval at this far-fetched silly idea! Even in those days, one could hop on a plane, fly to the “Windy City” stay around three nights, and fly home again. However, boring common sense prevailed until post-retirement.
Now, here I am, in a vastly changed Chicago. All cities around the world are very different now to how they were when I was a young adult.
I took a river trip after a rather late breakfast, and enlightening natter with the Hotel Concierge. This boat trip is run regularly, several times each day, by the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center, with the excellent tour guide describing as many notable buildings as possible, complete with details of when built, who for, and the designer and architect etc. So many facts and figures in such a short time are, for me anyway, almost impossible to remember. I’m sure there’s a book on the subject, and there’s also Google. However, if I’m not mistaken, we went under 25 bridges, 4 of which were of two decks. The intense heat of the day didn’t detract, and taking a river cruise is a good way of seeing as much as possible, even if rather briefly.
Chicago retains the exciting ambience of my first trip there 53 years ago. Marina City is still fabulous, but I will never find that questionable back street cinema where travelling companion Alf Pilbeam (how are you Alf?) and I located the only cinema we could afford…showing a dodgy movie called The Office Party. We stayed for two showings!
Today, it is sunny with clear skies, and temperatures reaching an overwhelming 36°C while on the boat. For some reason, 37° is forecast for 4 o’clock. That is a heady 98.6° Fahrenheit, or recognised body temperature. I needed to return to my room for a break from the heat; it was so hot that I was advised not to use my camera phone. A little sign pops up on my screen with this advice. Nevertheless, I still managed enough images on both this and the Lumix. Returning to the Hotel provided also an opportunity to recharge the batteries which seem to deplete much faster than usual, and also partially reorganise the packing. Suitably refreshed, I decided to walk to what I would learn later is the Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain. Going in the late afternoon or early evening is a good idea. There is a good chance that the setting sun can create a rich rainbow in the fountain’s spray. I over-did the photographs!
In 1971, Mr and Mrs Franzen, and daughter Linda showed me around Chicago, and I was their guest for lunch in the revolving restaurant at the Holiday Inn. I had met them on my first trip to the U.S. in 1969. Seeing the Buckingham Fountain from my Hotel room 51 years later revived memories for which I have my parents to thank; and although not here any longer, I still do. At the time, I assured them that those early railtours in Canada and America would be remembered for all (my) time, and not eclipsed by what may happen later. I also appreciated the generosity of the Franzens even ‘though sadly, we lost touch some time later.
“Well Mother, it may not be the Chicago Symphony in Millennium Park tomorrow night, but there appears to be a free open air concert at which Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony will be performed, as part of the Grant Park Music Festival.”
Local wildlife reminiscent of Pavilion Gardens, except that just beyond, are the shores of Lake Michigan.
While I felt completely safe walking around and taking photographs, I felt aware of slight foolhardiness on my part, and breathed a bit of a sigh of relief once in the confines of my Hotel. I ought to have something to eat. The breakfast stood me in good stead all day.
I don’t consider that I wasted my day. It was hot and I just took things fairly easily. I have more planned for tomorrow, including revisiting the former John Hancock tower, and possibly the Willis Tower as well. The plan is to be up and out in time for the first hop on – hop off bus at 10.00hrs and also to travel over the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad. But my train to Flagstaff leaves at 14.40 hrs on Thursday and I can see myself running out of time.
I had a light one course chicken pesto salad for dinner tonight. Although the night seems young, I’m about to call it a day.
Many thanks for reading. David, in the Hotel’s Columbus Tap, a kind of gastro-pub, that does the job.
David's Cruise 