This Johnson Life

Chicago Walking Tour, Protest Version

Adam and I took another meandering walk home from the Skydeck at Willis Tower, just admiring the architecture of the Chicago Public Library, when we ran into the "unofficial" protesters. (Apparently, most protesters pre-register their route.)

The energy is definitely contagious. It almost plants you to the ground, just waiting for the chaos to hit. (Here is where Adam and I usually disagree, as Adam prefers to hang back, safely, and I like to get just a little closer, just to see what happens.)

These protesters were generally calm, however, and far outnumbered by the security detail. I believe other protest marches had more action, but this one spread up and out rather peacefully.

Ironically, the only thing that really left an impression with me was how unbelievably tight this guy's jeans were.
I know fashion isn't really my thing, but I feel like I missed a decade somewhere.

I would say that this photo accurately sums up our Chicago protest movement.

Most major public buildings (and many private offices)
were guarded throughout the NATO Summit.

After the protests, we unexpectedly came across Millennium Park at night. I thought this was the most beautiful neon green water feature I had ever seen...

...until I realized that it also contained faces, which terrified me a little more than I had expected, although maybe it was because I came upon it at night and under heavy security. I'm sure it's much less creepy at noon on a summer Saturday. Still, I do not know what is going on here. They're very serious faces.

Cloud Gate, or the bean, however, was so much more impressive in person than even I had anticipated. I just kept walking in circles around this piece. I know it was ridiculously expensive to build, but it was definitely the coolest - and most accessible - piece of public art I've ever seen.

Bonus "Adventures in Babysitting" Building in the background!

Views along the Chicago River at night.

The Wrigley Building. I really loved this building, especially the connecting walkway. It seems so classic and modern at the same time. Plus, you will always know where you are, even if you're not sure where you're going.

Willis Tower

We made it to Willis Tower in time to catch the sunset, exactly as planned (Adam is a taskmaster, even on vacation). Willis Tower's claim to fame is that it is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, although - and here things get a little fuzzy - I distinctly recall our visit to the CN Tower in Toronto a few years ago having that same distinction. (Update: Wikipedia now states that the CN Tower is the tallest "free-standing structure" in the Western Hemisphere, and that the Willis Tower is the tallest building in the United States.) Internets...sigh. The important thing to remember, kids, is that both towers have glass-bottom floors, and that's what really counts.

Not Sears Tower

No lines? Thanks NATO!!

It appears that Oprah and I have a little bit in common, namely ~~wealth~~ height.

Adam is super excited. (I took his photo every tenth floor.)

Although I appreciate a mini-statue as much as the next person, we only purchased two souvenirs on our entire trip: a Chicago bottle opener (because Adam locked his beer bottle opener in the trunk, 30 miles away, along with my wine bottle opener) and a four-pack of mechanical pencils (for scoring baseball, obviously). I got one free daily coffee from the coffee shop of my choice with no hassle from Adam about "making my own coffee at home".

Green roof! It can be done!

Looks terrifying, right? It's even worse when you realize that those little glass boxes are retractable.

Adam keeps a firm grip on opaque construction, should anything happen.

If you really scan this photo, you can see the Skydeck boxes way up the side of the Willis Tower. They are like dots, as were we.

Chicago Walking Tour, Tourist Version

As mentioned, Adam and I took a quick trip to Chicago a few weekends ago. It was beautiful and wonderful and amazingly peaceful, very likely due to the intense police security presence and a city-wide spring-cleaning ahead of the NATO Summit, which coincided with our visit. (I think we got an airbrushed version of the city, but I'll take it!)

Then we returned home and immediately threw ourselves into long-delayed home projects, yard work, actual work, barbecues, and bills. So the photos sat sadly on the camera for awhile, and by the time I uploaded the whole mess, I was "several hundred" photos deep. (I don't want to admit the real number, lest ye judge.) Anyway, I don't want to forget this trip, so I will probably post occasional Chicago updates when A) I have free time, or B) I am really bored, or C) I feel that the blog needs a break from Adam's culinary cocktail creations. If you just can't wait, you can scan the whole photo album here. It offers a nice context surrounding our visit, but you'll have to supply your own commentary.

Day 1, Hour 1. I was so excited to see these iconic buildings that I dropped my suitcase in the middle of the sidewalk, held up all the people traffic, and took my first Chicago photo. Adam was visibly annoyed.

Ironically, not the Wilco Towers, but actually, Marina City.

After checking in to our hotel near the Magnificent Mile, we decided to take the longest, most indirect, super-touristy hike across downtown on our way to catch the sunset at Willis Tower. If you've ever been to Chicago, you've already seen these sights.

Untitled - and Unexplained - Picasso

I really can't recall whether this amazing bit of architecture was now Macy's or Marshall Field's (signs were misleading), but it was so interesting that I almost wanted to shop. Almost.

The Walnut Room. Alas, we were too late for dinner.

Adam and Rick Bayless, our second favorite PBS chef.

The next time we're in Chicago, we are definitely undertaking some sort of architecture tour. I couldn't stop gawking at the buildings, and Adam hurt his neck (seriously) from looking up at everything. Here's another show-stopper:

I just love how tiny this Subway is, especially next to Ulta.
The entire building is only three windows wide.

If you've noticed, there is a definite lack of people in the photographs. The streets were essentially deserted due to NATO. Downtown employees were encouraged to work from home, many attractions were closed to visitors, and several businesses locked up early, a few even boarded up doors and windows. Here is what we actually saw on our tourist walk:

Many of those photos were from the Financial District, so security was obviously tight. So you don't get the wrong impression, we also saw an awful lot of Prius taxis and the occasional yarn bomb.