Travelogue No.31: Chicago Transit Authority

In the taxi from the airport I saw two Chargers, a Challenger, a Corvette, a Camaro and a Hummer. I guess gas is still reasonably priced in the Chicago area. PIX 

Travelogue No.30: Chicago Street Art

Toronto is known to be a clean city but Chicago is nearly pristine. No plastic bag trees or newspaper tumbleweeds. There is only a scant glimpse of street art in the downtown core. I guess that's comforting to some but sterile for others. I did find a few things. PIX

Travelogue No.29: Chicago Food

Deciding where to eat is one of the hardest things you can do when in Chicago. It seems like everything goes through this city so if you want it, you can get it. My mission was to go to one or all of Rick Bayless' restaurants. I only had time for Fontera Grill which only left me wanting more. The Tropical Tuna Cocktail is one of the tastiest ceviches I have ever had. Deep dish pizza is a big thing too. We chose Giordano's mostly out of convenience. Convenience in proximity only as it takes 45 minutes to cook a deep dish pie! Certainly unique and worth waiting for. PIX

Travelogue No.28: Chicago Navy Pier

Certainly a touristy area but a historic part of the city none the less. Ride the ferris wheel. Eat some roasted nuts. Buy a "Chicago, My Kind of Town".  All really fun things to do in the '30's. There is a cool (and free) stained glass museum between Häagen Dazs and the Funhouse that is worth checking out. PIX

Travelogue No.27: Chicago Blues

Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Otis Rush and Bo Diddley are only a few of the names that are synonymous with Chicago blues. I went to Buddy' Guy's Legends and caught a set by Linsey Alexander for a funky good time. I even got a chance to perform on stage with him. Well, more like I was the punchline to his joke! PIX

Travelogue No.26: Chicago By Night

Chicago has plenty to do in the day and just as much going on at night. There is no shortage of places to grab a bite and some beverages. Pops For Champagne was a great suggestion for an anniversary drink with dessert. It's not uncommon to find back rooms and alleyways with blues clubs hidden within. PIX

Travelogue No.25: Chicago Sports

There's no shortage of sports teams in Chicago and where there is sports, there are fans! It's football season so Bears merchandise was everywhere from store windows to motorized vehicles and citizens a plenty...especially on Sunday near Soldier's Field. White Sox, Cubs, Blackhawks, Bulls and Fire are also visible year round. PIX

Travelogue No.24: Chicago's Millennium & Grant Park

If you happen to be gazing at yourself in a large, chrome, oblong structure you're most likely in Millennium Park looking at Cloud Gate (A.K.A. "The Bean:) or else you could be hallucinating. Both are surreal experiences. Chicago's arty side spills out into both Millenium & Grant Park which are in close proximity to The Art Institute of Chicago. It's great to see a city so determined to maintain it's green spaces and public areas while also exuding a sense of culture. PIX

Travelogue No.23: The Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago  has a fantastic and diverse collection of art. Pieces by Jackson Pollock, Georgia O'Keeffe, Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh to name a few. One of the most iconic American paintings has a home here. Grant Wood's American Gothic. It was out on loan. Drat! On the other hand I was lucky enough to see the René Magrite exhibit currently on display. PIX

Travelogue No.22: Chicago Architecture

It's not often I find myself checking out building design. Toronto is not known for it's architecture like Chicago is but that is starting to change with some of the new condos going up here. I was really impressed with what I saw in the Windy City and with all that steel and concrete, it is built to last. Everywhere you look in the downtown core there is a spectacular structure gleaming in the sunlight or casting it's long shadow. PIX