Fall Chicago Visit: Skyscrapers, Churches, Theaters, Zoos- and Protests?

 

***Favorite Photo***

Next to Charleston, my favorite city in America also begins with Ch: Chicago! 

In the late 1980s-early 1990s we lived in "Chicagoland" then over the years, Alesia's work would bring her to the Windy City, and a few times I was able to join her. In more recent years, we have been back several times to visit our son Justin who lives and works in the city. 

So on Oct. 16 our latest trip began dark and early with a 6 a.m. flight. With the time change, we landed at Chicago O’Hare Airport a little after 7:30 a.m. 

This is a favorite picture I took from the airplane that shows two of the city’s most famous and tallest buildings: Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) and closer to Lake Michigan is the Hancock Building. 

***Favorite Photo***

We always like to stay downtown near the Chicago River. The Marriott Renaissance Chicago Downtown at 1 W. Wacker was our home for three nights. Though staying on the 13th floor we had good luck being able to check in before 9 a.m., and we made it for the complimentary breakfast just before the concierge room closed at 9. Whew! I needed a hearty breakfast after being up since 3:15 a.m. EST. 

From our hotel room, we had this view of the iconic Chicago Theatre. On Sunday, the theatre had a 50th anniversary screening of the cult classic “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” With the cheapest tickets at $60-plus, we did a hard pass. 

***Favorite Photo***

Unexpected Bird Encounter!

A trip to the Wescott shopping center turned into a bird outing yesterday afternoon! The water reservoir near Marshalls had dozens of wading birds. I saw Wood Storks, White Ibis, Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets. I didn’t have my Canon DSLR so I used my iPhone 12, and it did fine. I later tweaked the images with the Snapseed photo app.

This may have been the most Wood Storks I have ever seen together in one place. 

Wood Storks have several collective names: muster, clatter, swoop, phalanx and…what…filth? A filth of Wood Storks. Doesn’t sound right or good!