I don’t really think I could have done much more today, and still I didn’t get up the Willis Tower!
My second full day in the Windy City started at around 11.30, after a small breakfast and finished around 10.15 this evening.
I walked to Bus Stop 1 where a hop on/off bus was just about to leave. The intention was to go around the circuit, and then choose where I would like to see again, and stay awhile. This enabled me to see much of the city. At the end of the “circuit” I decided to embark on the River Walk first of all, having a very pleasant light lunch at a riverside restaurant. I decided to walk, ending up eventually at the highly developed resort of Navy Pier. I took many photographs as I went along; some are not bad, but none are like those in various brochures, no matter how hard I try and creative I think I am.
I may not have scaled the Willis Tower, but I did get to try out the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier. This provided a decent aerial view of Chicago.
I could have walked back, but may have missed the start of a concert I had seen advertised yesterday. It was a brilliant symphony concert given by the Grant Park Orchestra, every bit as good as any I have heard. The problem with open air concerts are the distractions of hovering helicopters, aeroplanes flying over, the wail of emergency vehicles and other background disturbances. Having said that, I would readily return for more of the three month programme and pay (as I intended doing this time) to sit nearer the stage. The rendition of Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy Overture to Romeo and Juliet was as poignant and powerful as any I have heard. Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony was the main work, the concert opening with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture. The programme was altered because the conductor had tested positive for covid-19 and had to book sick. In between these familiar works, there was a piano sonata for two pianists who interpreted the ultra modern work in such a spectacular way as to earn a standing ovation.
The weather today was not quite so hot as yesterday when even the locals commented on how unusually hot it was. However, the skies were blue and clear.
By the end of the day, I had walked 16,655 steps bringing my total since January 14th to well over the 1.3 million mark.
As with all the places I have travelled to, I shall be sad to leave Chicago tomorrow. The Fairmont Millennium Park looked after me well, and I was able to eat healthily in their restaurant. I suspect I shall spend much time packing tomorrow morning. Hopefully I can get pictures of the elevated railway. I travelled extensively on this in 1969/71.
Many thanks for reading, David 00 01hrs Room 2803 at the Fairmont Millennium Park. 1
David's Cruise 