I was in Chicago last week for our national research conference. We had rooms on the Miracle Mile and I was 36 floors up looking out over Lake Michigan. Of course my view was divided by buildings (and on the other side of the buildings was Navy Pier), but it gave the scene a fantastic urban feel.
The pictures above and below were taken on Friday, April 13 around 5 or 5:30 am. Something woke me and through the thin slit between the curtains, I looked out to see this line of bright, deep red on the horizon. It literally took my breath away and got me out of bed. I tried to take some pictures of it but my little $100 camera (athought it's a great little camera) does not do sunrises/sunsets justice.
Below: Even more amazing was this slice of moon (about half full) poised next to the buildings just above the burning horizon. The lights of the city buildings with the light of the sunrise and the smaller, focused light of the moon seemed perfectly poised. It could have been a painting. I watched it for a long time before going back to bed.
It was a great trip overall. Tuesday afternooon was beautiful with temps getting into the 60s. I found a great
place for lunch,
Fado Irish Pub. Little did I know until I looked it up that it was a chain. The fish and chips were phenomenal with just the right crunch. I enjoyed some
Smithwicks on tap. Growing fond of that beer. I can find it here on the shelves of Kroger!
The view during the day from the 36th floor....
This was a beautiful building to watch. The blue part was lit at night. I could often see boats out on the lake beyond.
This is the view looking down from my windows. The windows were ceiling to floor so the effect was a bit dizzying. I enjoyed looking down on the traffic and goings on. An amazing amount of action happens down there at 3 in the morning. Some of my room guests took one look and moved away from the window immediately. I can understand why.
I enjoyed it....:-)
So the scene above was the weather on Tuesday afternoon. I had these amazing Cubs tickets for Wednesday afternoon and was really looking forward to seeing a game.
This was what my view looked like on Wednesday morning.
It was snowing and sleeting sideways. It actually hurt to walk around. I had to trudge to the Sheraton (normally a minimal 8 block walk) and my umbrella was nearly ripped to shreds in the attempt. I finally gave up and succumbed to being very wet and cold. The pellets felt like like little missiles on my face (the only area not otherwise protected). I finally got my registration, made my way back towards my hotel and found myself in a little pizzaria for coffee, soup and a spinach
Chicago Pie. After a warm hour of food and reading Eragon, I was ready to brave the cold again. Unfortunately by then they had postponed the game due to sideways sleet and snow.
The day wasn't a total bust. My paper co-writer (and boss) and I went to a great little restaurant
Bandera. Lovely eclectic menu and live jazz. Then I found my friends in some dive northside bar and we attempted pool. It was almost as successful as our Thursday night attempt at
bowling (a great place next to House of Blues...which seemed like a neon atrocity).
I did finally get to Wrigleyville on Friday. The train did not take off until 3 so I was able to get to
Wrigley Field to exchange my tickets, get a dog at a bar along Clark and then visit the story I have missed so dearly ....
The Alley.
Got a great new celtic knot ring, which was the main mission of the adventure. I also got a chance to ride the EL there and back so that was fun. For those of you who haven't been in Chicago or on the EL for a while...TAKE EXACT CHANGE!! Take ones, change and cash. The machines don't give change or take cards and there are no longer humans selling tickets for the train. At least this was the case on the
Red Line.
It looks like they are expanding the tracks for the Red Line. That should be interesting.
I leave you with a moment of sunrise.
Spring is finally here in Lansing. I'm going to take pictures over the next few days of the new flower arrivals in my yard and elsewhere. Going with friends to drink beer outside this afternoon so hopefully will have pics there too. One more week of the semester and one week of finals.
Wow! I think I can see the end of that tunnel.
GG
The forsythia were blooming!!
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