Carol singers in Union Station - in July!Christmas came early in Chicago despite the sun shining and it being July!!! But what a difference from when we were here in January '08! Back then the temperature was -15 c and it was freezing... this time, it was certainly t-shirt weather.
Our new couch surfing host Laurie took us for a lovely walk around the local woods near her home in the Palos Park area of Chicago and it was beautiful seeing the unspoilt woods and sloughs in the vicinity. By the time we got back to her home we were dripping! (and not from the slough!) But the shade of all the trees was lovely.
The following day Chris and I went into Chicago and enjoyed seeing all the sights we'd enjoyed the last time we were here and getting to know more of the areas the 'locals' enjoy. But we didn't even get out of the Union Station for the first 3 hours! The Christmas Carol tour train was in town and promoting the forthcoming animated film of Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'. As it was free, Chris and I just had to have a look and although the line was really long (just under 2 hours) we did meet some lovely people in the queue and also got to see how this film was made - and it should be good.
Our new couch surfing host Laurie took us for a lovely walk around the local woods near her home in the Palos Park area of Chicago and it was beautiful seeing the unspoilt woods and sloughs in the vicinity. By the time we got back to her home we were dripping! (and not from the slough!) But the shade of all the trees was lovely.
The following day Chris and I went into Chicago and enjoyed seeing all the sights we'd enjoyed the last time we were here and getting to know more of the areas the 'locals' enjoy. But we didn't even get out of the Union Station for the first 3 hours! The Christmas Carol tour train was in town and promoting the forthcoming animated film of Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol'. As it was free, Chris and I just had to have a look and although the line was really long (just under 2 hours) we did meet some lovely people in the queue and also got to see how this film was made - and it should be good.
One of the attractions were original letters and books on loan from the Dickens' museum and another attraction was being able to morph your face into one of the characters!!! Below is Chris' result!!!
Chris as Belle! Rather attractive eh?So after enjoying messing about with the photos, we finally got to leave the train station and explored more of Chicago (not done in the one day), we enjoyed the cultural centre, where they have the largest Tiffany dome in the world, we had a lovely downtown tour by an 84 year old man who has lived in Chicago 72 years! We got to find out facts about the buildings and other little bits and pieces which we'd have never know. It was lovely.
Chris is standing where our friend Karen and I had made snow angels!!!
After that Chris and I headed over to the Millennium Park where the place was swarming with people where last time we were here is was covered in snow and only about 10 humans around!
From the photo you can't really see all the people, but the children were playing in the water and the grown ups were wishing they could!
A walk down the Magnificent mile was in order and a look at all the stones in the Chicago Tribune building too - about 70% of the stones were from places we'd seen, so that was really cool. After having a photo by the suitcast, we walked back to the park and took our photos by the Bean!
Chris is standing where our friend Karen and I had made snow angels!!!After that Chris and I headed over to the Millennium Park where the place was swarming with people where last time we were here is was covered in snow and only about 10 humans around!
From the photo you can't really see all the people, but the children were playing in the water and the grown ups were wishing they could!
A walk down the Magnificent mile was in order and a look at all the stones in the Chicago Tribune building too - about 70% of the stones were from places we'd seen, so that was really cool. After having a photo by the suitcast, we walked back to the park and took our photos by the Bean!
Click in and see if you can see us!!!! - the Bean
I wish our case was this big!!!When Chris and I returned to Laurie and her husband Mike's house the BBQ was on and we'd some lovely food. Our feet were sore from all the walking we'd done and it was lovely to sit down for good food and chat. The evening finished with a lovely ice-cream from their local store which has been open since 1937!
The following morning, Laurie took us to the airport and our time in Chicago was over - for now. We've loved seeing the city in the summer, getting to know things only the locals do and also... getting to see Mike's fantastic Santa collection! (he has so many Christmas things that I'm already wondering what card I'll make this year!!! - well there are under 5 months to go!!!)
Chris and I with Laurie, Mike and Santa!
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