(Note: My computer is dead, so I am borrowing Monica's MacBook, and I can't figure out how to upload pictures. So no pictures. I will have to add those later. Sorry!)
This morning started out as yet another rainy day. Obviously, I planned to wear my rain jacket, but couldn't decide if I should go with my warmer long-sleeved shirt, or go short-sleeved. I waffled for a while, but ended up going short-sleeved. Good choice. After walking two blocks in very light rain, I was much too hot and took off my jacket and stuffed my jacket back into the purse. It's a light rain, but it is definitely not cold.
Last night involved a lot of planning to try to successfully map out today's excursion. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Robie House was not conveniently located for future tourists (I don't know what Frank was thinking). Google told me it was a 3 hour walk, or an hour on the bus. Google is not always entirely accurate, but it's usually rooted in some sort of reality. It took me a while to figure out the Robie House's location on the transit maps, but we eventually decided that one of the train lines would bring us close (as in 2.7 kms close). So, off to board the Green Line train. This time, we are on a proper Chicago elevated track, squeaking along past stores and old apartment buildings. If you could reach out the window, you could touch some of the buildings as we passed by.
(Monica and I snicker every time we see a Brown line train going to "Kimball", and one of us will say "Dr. Richard Kimble" in a poor Tommy Lee Jones impersonation. We try not to be loud enough to be overheard, because yes, it's dumb. But we keep doing it.)
As it turns out, the weather is somewhat capricious today. We're riding on the train for a while, but by the time we reach our stop at Garfield, the light rain has morphed into full-on rain. Monica and I have no clue about this neighbourhood, so we stood there at the train station for a minute or two, trying to decide what to do. It's a longish walk, and this isn't tourist-friendly downtown Chicago, so there aren't any convenient landmarks or signage to help us find our way. We do know that the Robie House is near the Chicago University, so we decide to follow the lead of the students across the street now lining up at the bus stop.
It's $2.25 to ride the bus, which I think might be cheaper than Saskatoon? Taking the bus was probably a good life choice, because (1) lots of rain, and (2) a bunch of curving streets and traffic roundabouts where we would most likely have gone astray.
The bus is crowded, and Monica asks me when we're getting off the bus. I tell her I'm looking for Woodlawn Street, and the man next to me tells me it's after the next lights, and tells me how to get to the Robie House from the bus stop. Yay! So helpful.
Yes, I know I'm going to see a Frank Lloyd Wright house, but I can't help but admire the many lovely old brick Victorian-style houses lining the street. It's a walk of four or five blocks in the rain, and when we arrive, we find that the first two tours have just sold out. Gah! The next open spot is at 11:00 a.m., an hour from now. Okay, so while we're waiting, let's go across the street to the Oriental Museum. Oh wait, they're closed today - it's Monday. Huh. It's not our lucky day.
Since we're across the street from the University of Chicago, we wander in through their grounds. Monica and I think it looks like Hogwarts. Beautiful old-fashioned stone buildings with vines clinging to the walls. We come across a mama duck, with baby ducklings in tow, who promptly hop in the pond when we get near. And there are even two turtles sitting on the side of the lake. So picturesque!
We stop in at a University Cafe for a drink (and then Monica steals some salt and pepper packets for our hotel kitchenette - thank you, University of Chicago, and sorry to all the students if tuition goes up to cover the costs of our ill-gotten seasonings). Heading out, we take a quick walk through some of the grounds, marvel at the many food trucks, and then return to the Robie House just in time to start our 11:30 tour.
Fallingwater is, of course, Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous house, and I note that the tour guides very deliberately refer to the Robie House as "the best example of his 'prairie style' houses." Robie House is, undoubtedly, an interesting and beautiful house. Almost exclusively long straight lines, and surprisingly low ceilings. Wright designed everything, the house, the windows, the stairs, the light fixtures, and even the existing furniture inside the house.
Would I want to live there? I'm not sure. It's the kind of house that's virtually fully realized as it is - you can add people - but don't add people who come with any belongings of their own, because it will clash with the vision. The house itself is a piece of art, but I don't know that it would ever feel "homey" to me. Beautiful, but possibly not comfortable?
However, I think that depends on your personal aesthetic. Monica figured that she would probably like living there.
It was a really interesting tour. I think my favourite part of the house was probably the cantilevered roof over the balcony out front.
By the time the tour is over, the rain had stopped. Yay! Jacket gets stuffed back into purse. We're now walking to the Museum of Science & Industry, which is (I think) the only remaining building from the Chicago World Fair. But first, time to stop for lunch at Noodles Etc. I have noodles for lunch (no surprise). Yum, Pad Thai!
After that, there's only a few blocks left to walk to the Museum. Big, big building, with large Greek-inspired statuary and friezes on the building, and domed roofs. When we get inside, there are 16 kiosks to take tickets - but for some reason, only 2 are open (and one is dealing with museum members only). So it's a long line. Slow and indecisive people populate the line in front of us. Finally, it's our turn. But wait! Oh no! A previously checked-in museum guest has lost something, and asks the clerk if he's seen it. The sole clerk who was checking in regular guests now wanders off to look for her lost item. Gah!
Eventually, they do get around to admitting us. Along with our admission, we get access to an Omnimax film, but by the time we're being checked in, our choices of films are "D-Day". And that's it. Unfortunately, the "Journey to Space" is no longer available. Because it's now 2:01 p.m., and the film started at 2:00 p.m. Damn it! I wanted to go to space. :-(
Whatever. We start wandering through the museum. There's at least four floors to this place, and it's a bit of a maze. There's interactive exhibits on the weather, where we spend a bit of time causing weather-related chaos. Exhibits on the human body, where we don't get to spend enough time. There's a really cool mirrored glass maze that is weirdly disorienting and very much better than all of the cheap and crappy glass mazes you get at the Ex.
Because the museum closes ridiculously early at 4 p.m. (I have no idea why), we weren't sure if we were going to see the 45-minute D-Day movie, but our feet hurt, so we decide to attend due to the attraction of being able to sit down. I'm not sure of the specific difference between Imax and Omnimax, but that is one BIIIIGGGG screen. The film is actually really informative and interesting, and I'm glad we went. However, after it's done, we have only 15 minutes before closing time, and we lurch around like idiots but obviously can't even see half of everything. If we have time, we'll come back again before the end of the week. Fortunately, our Chicago Go Pass will let us come back multiple times throughout the week.
We do wander briefly through Jackson Park behind the museum, as I'm pretty sure that was also part of the World Fair site. I'm more than 100 years too late, but I still want to see it! Obviously, there's nothing left, but it's a lovely park, and the sun has finally come out. It's almost hot outside. Thank God I wore short sleeves. We head back around to the front of the museum, and have to run to catch the bus back to the train station.
Back in downtown Chicago, we do get a wee bit turned around and are briefly heading west instead of north (but the sun shining in my eyes tips me off as to the direction). We eventually make our way back up and around, and when we hit Michigan Avenue, it's basically the central tourist corridor and easy to navigate.
As we're getting close to our hotel, we look up and realize today is the first day that we can actually see the tops of the buildings. The clouds have vanished, and we can see the top of the John Hancock Center - which is one of our Go pass destinations. There's an observation deck on the 94th floor, but obviously there was no point in heading up there when it was foggy; however, today looks like it might be a good day for a view. Whoo hoo!
Not surprisingly, you get a fabulous view from up there. Floor to ceiling windows, with an amazing view of the city in all directions. There's also an enclosed skywalk area, where there is mesh screening instead of windows so that you can feel the winds and the cool air moving through. I love it all. We'll be coming back on another day in the evening, so that we can see Chicago by night.
Our Go pass also entitles us to a coupon book for the Water Tower Place mall, and Monica discovers she can get 10% off at Macy's. Time to go luggage shopping! Monica looks at what's available, but can't decide right now.
We are also entitled to a free sample of Garrett's Popcorn, which is a Chicago favourite, and yes, it is delicious. I'll have to see if I can smuggle some home in my carry-on.
This morning started out as yet another rainy day. Obviously, I planned to wear my rain jacket, but couldn't decide if I should go with my warmer long-sleeved shirt, or go short-sleeved. I waffled for a while, but ended up going short-sleeved. Good choice. After walking two blocks in very light rain, I was much too hot and took off my jacket and stuffed my jacket back into the purse. It's a light rain, but it is definitely not cold.
Last night involved a lot of planning to try to successfully map out today's excursion. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Robie House was not conveniently located for future tourists (I don't know what Frank was thinking). Google told me it was a 3 hour walk, or an hour on the bus. Google is not always entirely accurate, but it's usually rooted in some sort of reality. It took me a while to figure out the Robie House's location on the transit maps, but we eventually decided that one of the train lines would bring us close (as in 2.7 kms close). So, off to board the Green Line train. This time, we are on a proper Chicago elevated track, squeaking along past stores and old apartment buildings. If you could reach out the window, you could touch some of the buildings as we passed by.
(Monica and I snicker every time we see a Brown line train going to "Kimball", and one of us will say "Dr. Richard Kimble" in a poor Tommy Lee Jones impersonation. We try not to be loud enough to be overheard, because yes, it's dumb. But we keep doing it.)
As it turns out, the weather is somewhat capricious today. We're riding on the train for a while, but by the time we reach our stop at Garfield, the light rain has morphed into full-on rain. Monica and I have no clue about this neighbourhood, so we stood there at the train station for a minute or two, trying to decide what to do. It's a longish walk, and this isn't tourist-friendly downtown Chicago, so there aren't any convenient landmarks or signage to help us find our way. We do know that the Robie House is near the Chicago University, so we decide to follow the lead of the students across the street now lining up at the bus stop.
It's $2.25 to ride the bus, which I think might be cheaper than Saskatoon? Taking the bus was probably a good life choice, because (1) lots of rain, and (2) a bunch of curving streets and traffic roundabouts where we would most likely have gone astray.
The bus is crowded, and Monica asks me when we're getting off the bus. I tell her I'm looking for Woodlawn Street, and the man next to me tells me it's after the next lights, and tells me how to get to the Robie House from the bus stop. Yay! So helpful.
Yes, I know I'm going to see a Frank Lloyd Wright house, but I can't help but admire the many lovely old brick Victorian-style houses lining the street. It's a walk of four or five blocks in the rain, and when we arrive, we find that the first two tours have just sold out. Gah! The next open spot is at 11:00 a.m., an hour from now. Okay, so while we're waiting, let's go across the street to the Oriental Museum. Oh wait, they're closed today - it's Monday. Huh. It's not our lucky day.
 |
| University of Chicago - American Hogwarts! |
 |
| Hogwarts Turtles |
Fallingwater is, of course, Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous house, and I note that the tour guides very deliberately refer to the Robie House as "the best example of his 'prairie style' houses." Robie House is, undoubtedly, an interesting and beautiful house. Almost exclusively long straight lines, and surprisingly low ceilings. Wright designed everything, the house, the windows, the stairs, the light fixtures, and even the existing furniture inside the house.
Would I want to live there? I'm not sure. It's the kind of house that's virtually fully realized as it is - you can add people - but don't add people who come with any belongings of their own, because it will clash with the vision. The house itself is a piece of art, but I don't know that it would ever feel "homey" to me. Beautiful, but possibly not comfortable?
 |
| Frank Lloyd Wright's "Robie House" |
It was a really interesting tour. I think my favourite part of the house was probably the cantilevered roof over the balcony out front.
By the time the tour is over, the rain had stopped. Yay! Jacket gets stuffed back into purse. We're now walking to the Museum of Science & Industry, which is (I think) the only remaining building from the Chicago World Fair. But first, time to stop for lunch at Noodles Etc. I have noodles for lunch (no surprise). Yum, Pad Thai!
After that, there's only a few blocks left to walk to the Museum. Big, big building, with large Greek-inspired statuary and friezes on the building, and domed roofs. When we get inside, there are 16 kiosks to take tickets - but for some reason, only 2 are open (and one is dealing with museum members only). So it's a long line. Slow and indecisive people populate the line in front of us. Finally, it's our turn. But wait! Oh no! A previously checked-in museum guest has lost something, and asks the clerk if he's seen it. The sole clerk who was checking in regular guests now wanders off to look for her lost item. Gah!
Eventually, they do get around to admitting us. Along with our admission, we get access to an Omnimax film, but by the time we're being checked in, our choices of films are "D-Day". And that's it. Unfortunately, the "Journey to Space" is no longer available. Because it's now 2:01 p.m., and the film started at 2:00 p.m. Damn it! I wanted to go to space. :-(
 |
| Museum of Science & Industry |
Because the museum closes ridiculously early at 4 p.m. (I have no idea why), we weren't sure if we were going to see the 45-minute D-Day movie, but our feet hurt, so we decide to attend due to the attraction of being able to sit down. I'm not sure of the specific difference between Imax and Omnimax, but that is one BIIIIGGGG screen. The film is actually really informative and interesting, and I'm glad we went. However, after it's done, we have only 15 minutes before closing time, and we lurch around like idiots but obviously can't even see half of everything. If we have time, we'll come back again before the end of the week. Fortunately, our Chicago Go Pass will let us come back multiple times throughout the week.
We do wander briefly through Jackson Park behind the museum, as I'm pretty sure that was also part of the World Fair site. I'm more than 100 years too late, but I still want to see it! Obviously, there's nothing left, but it's a lovely park, and the sun has finally come out. It's almost hot outside. Thank God I wore short sleeves. We head back around to the front of the museum, and have to run to catch the bus back to the train station.
Back in downtown Chicago, we do get a wee bit turned around and are briefly heading west instead of north (but the sun shining in my eyes tips me off as to the direction). We eventually make our way back up and around, and when we hit Michigan Avenue, it's basically the central tourist corridor and easy to navigate.
As we're getting close to our hotel, we look up and realize today is the first day that we can actually see the tops of the buildings. The clouds have vanished, and we can see the top of the John Hancock Center - which is one of our Go pass destinations. There's an observation deck on the 94th floor, but obviously there was no point in heading up there when it was foggy; however, today looks like it might be a good day for a view. Whoo hoo!
Not surprisingly, you get a fabulous view from up there. Floor to ceiling windows, with an amazing view of the city in all directions. There's also an enclosed skywalk area, where there is mesh screening instead of windows so that you can feel the winds and the cool air moving through. I love it all. We'll be coming back on another day in the evening, so that we can see Chicago by night.
Our Go pass also entitles us to a coupon book for the Water Tower Place mall, and Monica discovers she can get 10% off at Macy's. Time to go luggage shopping! Monica looks at what's available, but can't decide right now.
We are also entitled to a free sample of Garrett's Popcorn, which is a Chicago favourite, and yes, it is delicious. I'll have to see if I can smuggle some home in my carry-on.
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