Day 4 -- Chicago

With Betty and her friend we walked around Chicago. Beautiful waterfront. Newly married couple having their picture taken at the observatory. We drove by the location of the St. Valentine's Day massacre, of course the building is no longer there, but we sat and wondered about life in those times. It sounds so rowdy, raw and turbulent, but I wonder if it was much like the times of today. How many lives did it touch? Life is often in upheaval, but I wonder how many people it affects. I asked my parents about the sixties, another turbulent, uncertain time in history and life, yet they didn't recall any thing specific about the era. People don't seem to be awake; they don't seem to experience life. We walked through the only building that survived the Great Chicago Fire. Very impressive building, huge, massive architecture. Dinner on the river in the shadow of Trump Tower, again a massive structure made of glass. Looking up we noticed that there appeared to be windows open. What the view must be like up there.

The Blackhawks, who had just won the Stanley Cup blanketed the city. Every shop had NHL memorabilia, shirts, jerseys, photos, newspaper stories of the historic match with the Flyers. The city was radiating with energy. I love that about cities, so alive and awake.

After dinner Betty's friend wanted to walk down John Dillinger's alley; that's not the name of the alley, but the event. I can't recall the name of the alley, but it's historic. We walked through the theater district then down the alley they say Dillinger walked down that fateful night. Her friend recounted stories of the alley being haunted. The strange thing is I could feel the hair stand up on the back of my neck as he pointed out the "shadow" on the wall that supposedly was left by Dillinger. Was it because he mentioned it or did I really experience a chill there? Urban legends? Who knows. Interesting experience.

Theater District

We came across Millennium Park.  Betty called it the "bean," which is what it is. A mirror in the shape of a bean that you can walk through and see the reflection of every aspect of the city.  I walked through it looking at the reflections and the people watching their reflections. Watching people is one of my favorite past times. It was a beautiful night.  Great time, albeit short, in Chicago. A wonderful day with a great friend. Catching up in such a historic and beautiful setting created a great memory. Thanks Betty. 

Chicago Bean