A Lockdown Virtual Journey (North America) Day 7
Day Seven
Started with Bible reading and prayer followed by a long tepid shower. The phone call to my good lady went well despite having missed calling yesterday. About seven Pete and Chris arrived and we again listened to ‘Pray as you Go’. Prayer for those we knew were ill or recovering from illness and our Fathers blessing and safety an all we would do that day.
We went down in the lift to the breakfast room. Pete and I again went for a bowl of mixed cereals each. We noticed Chris couldn’t make up his mind what to have and seemed to be struggling to move away from the ‘grits and cornbread’. ‘It will not be long now.’ Pete said. I laughed agreement. Eventually Chris opted for the small sausages, thin strips of bacon and rather solid looking scrambled eggs. Chris assured us that although they don’t look that great to us they were really tasty. After grace we ate up, drunk up and then went up to our rooms to get our cases. The cases were loaded into the boot of the Charger and we made our way back to the reception area.
A small coach in the Holiday Inn livery was parked outside. The driver welcomed us and I cannot remember if we had to pay or not but after another three people boarded we set off for O’Hare. The roads were incredibly busy but the driver navigated through it with great aplomb and only a few expletives that I didn’t manage to catch. As he dropped us off he told us that if we went into the terminal we would see signs for the rapid transit system. We firstly followed his directions and then the signage to the station. It was as we were trying to work out how to get day tickets that a kind older lady approached us. ‘You boys look a mite confused.’ She said. Chris looked at Pete and me and between us without a word being spoked we agreed that we were. She proceeded to demonstrate to us how to obtain the tickets. We were given the three tickets we required. We thanked her and she smiled told us to have a good day and disappeared into the crowd. She might have been an angel or just someone willing to follow Gods guiding knowingly or unknowingly. Whatever we were pleased and thankful to have the tickets. I also think we were pleased to have been called ’boys’.
We found our way to the platform for the ‘Blue’ line which should take us into Chicago. After boarding we were soon out of the airport and in the middle of the motorway. It felt quite strange to be able to see cars out of both windows. Then the view changed and we were occasionally below and sometimes above the roads and houses. As we went from the suburbs into Chicago proper the line was raised above the level of the road. About forty five minutes after boarding we pulled into Clark/Lake station. The journey had been rather crowded but interesting to see the various houses and businesses along the route. The folk on the train were a real mix of nationalities but mostly they looked resigned to another days work. Strangely Chris hadn’t gotten chatting to anyone and I wondered if he was ailing. ‘No’ he said when I asked ‘I’m just enjoying the ride.’ At the station we caught another train.
This was to take us to State and Lake but we had decided to take the ‘Loop’ the long way round. We managed to get seats but the train was very busy. Most folk seemed to have coffee in one hand and food in the other. It was amazing to travel along above street level and catch glimpses into the stores and offices we passed. The folk inside either oblivious or just used to the trains passing just a few feet beyond their windows.
We had decided that we would have a late lunch at Macey’s and maybe restock on a few items of clothing there. So rather than heading that way we went north to the river. Crossed the roads and descended to the river walk. We turned right and followed the river towards the lake. We saw monuments and one tall building with ‘Trump’ on the side. I found New York way too noisy, the sound seeming to have no way of escaping. Chicago seemed much more pleasant the skyscrapers set apart and the buildings architecturally more pleasing to the eye. At least to my eye. After going under several wide roads we were at the Lake shore. To our right was Navy Pier which looked like it might be a huge amusement park with ships moored alongside. We turned right and took a slow stroll through a park area that meandered past yacht clubs. We dodged a few policemen on their Segways and a fair few cyclists either going to work or exercising. We passed a sculpture that looked like a welded together assortment of scrap metal. Pete, with Chris joining in, informed me that it may represent the torments of a soul stuck in strains and stresses of modern living. ‘Yeah, right I thought!’
The Shedd aquarium came up and we decided that we would pay a visit. I had heard about a green turtle named Nickel. How it had been living at the aquarium since having recovered from a collision with a boats propeller. Swims funny but looked well as did the dolphins and penguins. It was expensive but I thought well worth the visit. Like all places where animals are confined I feel mixed emotions. I would prefer to view these creatures in the wild but that is not always easy to do. I also recognise the need for research and breeding programs for release back into the wild. (Always assuming there is a ‘wild’ for them to be released into.) I think on the whole we enjoyed seeing the phenomenal variety of life only a fraction of which was on display. We got a drink and a snack each at the café near the exit. We chatted about what we had seen, Pete enjoyed the dolphins and Chris the penguins. I found myself liking the pacific octopus. Apparently intelligent, problem solving creatures.
Outside the aquarium we followed one of the walkways which took us under the main road and into another park area. We strolled up a large field that seemed to be setting up for something that we were not going to see. Crossing another road we went into a rose garden and heading toward a huge fountain. Pete, surrounded by blooms, became more animated and was pointing out the various plants by name. We crossed the paved area leading to the fountain but staying to the right hand side to avoid getting soaked by the spray. Fantastical sea creatures spewing water at the central tiers which also poured forth water from lots of orifices.
We continued north and into more formal gardens, there seemed to be lots of arches and well stocked boarders. We crossed another road and into another large open space. Again it seemed to be being set up for an event. We came to a long curving walkway. It was a wide boardwalk that had what seemed to be polished aluminium panels attaches and sloping away from the walls of the walkway. It was brilliant, bright and a great way to cross a six lane highway. We exited into the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. There were folk sitting either alone but most in groups picnicking and listening to an open air and presumably free concert from the orchestra which was playing. It was a modern piece by someone I had never heard of and sounded very discordant to me. Evidently this was also true for Pete and Chris as they just shrugged and continued walking.
We left that area and following another path we entered an area where there were sculptures and fountains. We descended some steps and found ourselves in another fountain areas. There were a couple of obelisk structures with screens on them. They were very large. And we three stood and stare at the nearest one as kids ran through the smaller randomly squirting fountains. On the screen was a face and after being inanimate for a while it winked at us! I did like this, it seemed a fun place to be.
We retraced our steps and after walking through more formal and well looked after gardens came to plaza with a huge sculpture in it. It was shaped like a peanut but was seemed to be one giant reflective piece. Folk, including us were taking our pictures of our reflections. As we walked under it Chris videoed us, weird.
Eventually we crossed Michigan Avenue and walked along Washington Street till we got to Macey’s. I’m not one to eulogise about shopping centres or malls or just shops but Macey’s is worth a visit even if you don’t buy anything. It was a drab building on the outside that wowed on the inside. We went up the escalators to the top and the ceiling was so ornate with arches and colours of gold a blue. Stained glass windows and the views down to the ground floor where people moved like armies of ants was awe inspiring. It is a cathedral to excess and consumerism. Lunch was good too all of us had a chicken salad and cold drinks. That eaten and the men’s clothing department found we bought more underwear, socks and I also bought a pair of light tan chinos. We still had some ‘T’ shirts so decided we buy those as we travelled. Probably more relevant to us. Impressive as Macy’s was we were pleased to be out of it.
We continued along till we reached Washington/Dearborn station. We climbed the steps and caught the first train that would take us back to O’Hare. Not quite so full this time and with less people with each stop the train rattled northwards towards the airport. We discussed what we had liked and disliked in Chicago. The lay out of the city was great and the use of the river and lakesides was brilliant and gave a sense of space. Quirky public space sculptures some we liked and some leaving us, well me, confused. We had liked the gardens and fountains. But had a sort of love hate relationship with Macey’s and to a lesser extent the aquarium. Chris pointed out that we had only seen a small fraction of the city. And that he would like one day to see a lot more of it. I agreed. Pete said it seemed a rich city but with a lot of poor people. We all agreed that the people we had met and interacted with had been warm and friendly.
O’Hare was busy and it took us some time to find the pickup point for the shuttle to the hotel. We almost boarded a Holiday Inn shuttle that was going, I think, to Rosemont. We eventually boarded the correct one. The same driver using the same skills and the occasional expletive got us back to the hotel safely.
We put our purchases in our respective suitcases and got in our respective vehicles. We set our satnavs to direct us to ‘Spring Valley Inn’ which is near the ‘Taliesin Preservation’ a home that had been Frank Lloyd Wright’s. Chris led and then Pete and I followed. We stopped at the barrier. We waited at the barrier. Pete got out of his Ford and went to the barrier, apparently we needed to put in a code. I went to reception and wrote it down three times. We eventually left the car park to travel a few hundred yards to refuel. All refuelled and in my case, loaded with diet coke and water, we set of back to the I90.
We left the service station to the side so that we could just go right for a few blocks and then make a left and keep going till directed, just after a huge trailer park, onto the interstate.
The landscape was still flat with occasional industrial areas and some forests. Soon after crossing the tranquil looking Fox River we were advised to keep left and avoid the toll booths. There seemed to be more and more farms with occasional small towns sometimes on the left and sometimes on the right. We were heading west into the sunset. Reminded me of John Wayne at the end of a film! Soon after seeing signs for the 39 the road turned North and once again we were on a road with at least two names, (39, I90 and Addams Toll way) in this case. We soon left behind Illinois and entered Wisconsin. Wisconsin had a slight incline upwards – not much but some – it might have been wishful thinking on my part. Otherwise it was dead flat. Forested areas alternating with farms, very neat farms. We went through a place named Janestown, looked nice. We were through it and back into countryside within a mile. At Edgerton there were nice views of a river that was used for recreation judging by the number of boats I saw.
At exit 156 the satnav directed us off then under the I90. We were led off this road then directed north eventually going under the I90 again a few times due to left a right changes of direction of the road. Eventually we did a left onto the 18 which was also the 12. Chris must have spotted a Gas Station because we left the road to go back on ourselves so he could refuel. It was good to get out and have a walk about and stretch. Chris refuelled we continued for some way in the wrong direction before being able to re-join the road we wanted.
We again crossed the I90 as it headed north and we headed west. I think I caught glimpses of a golf course on my left, it looked lovely. Then there were lakes, one of which we crossed. This was more interesting than the I90 but the land was still flat although beginning to undulate. This seemed to be increasing and it felt, to me, a pleasant change. At a place named Cross Plains we passed a modern shopping centre. We continued travelling west on the 14 till Chris pulled off into a small car park. Pete and I pulled in either side of him. His helmet off he said ‘I’m starving!’ and proceeded to walk to and into Grandma Mary’s café. We followed.
I had Liver and Bacon with jacket potato and veg. I think Chris had Chicken Chips and beans and Pete, Roast Beef and all the trimmings. If Grandma Mary was around she wasn’t showing herself. The food however was great and I, for one, hadn’t realised how hungry I was.
We were soon headed west again although for only a couple of miles. The Spring Valley Inn was on our left, we pulled in and parked up. My boot was unloaded yet again and we headed into the reception. We booked in, answered the usual questions about where we from and why were we doing the journey. The receptionist asked if it was like the ‘Grand Tour’? No not really we replied. I’ve seen top gear and knew what the receptionist was alluding to. But I had no desire to race, drag or otherwise, anyone and nor is our speech punctuated with bleeps. We were just out to look and enjoy ourselves.
We put our stuff in our rooms, freshened up and went back to the bar. I got each of us a beer and we went out and sat around a fire pit. A few others were there and the conversations started after the usual questions a lady asked how did the idea for the trip come about? Chris explained about the dream and that we are Christians and a couple of the others said they were. Then someone asked why we were where we were right now. Pete informed them that he is a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright so we had made a detour to this place and to complete a tour of Taliesin Preservation tomorrow before recommencing our journey west. We had now downed several beers and I for one was knackered. But as I was about to make my excuses Pete and Chris suggested we all pray. Even the two who hadn’t confessed Jesus as Lord agreed. I think I fell asleep after about ten minutes. I was woken and goodnights said and we were off to our rooms. Teeth cleaned and soon fast asleep. I had remembered to set my alarm for seven and meet the other two for a swim and a sauna. About seven forty five.
Washington/Wells Station Information – CTA (transitchicago.com)
Home | Chicago’s Waterfront Destination | Navy Pier
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Chicago Public Art: Find Sculptures & Murals in the Loop (choosechicago.com)
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