Lazy Day but Cold and an Amazing Symphony

3/31 

Concert day 

We had a lazy morn taking our time with breakfast, after which we headed out timing our route to the train station for tomorrow morning. 

We next boarded the El for simply a ride. First train took us to Midway Airport and back. We got off near the Sears Tower, I know it is now called the Willis Tower, and thought about going to the sky deck. A 2 hour wait changed our mind. 

We then walked about looking for some iconic Chicago sculptures and buildings. 

Lynn thought it was rather chilly (34 degrees, wind chill of 31 degrees) so we stopped for a Stan’s Donut and went to our room to warm up. 

We then took a bus to the Auditorium Theater for the Symphony for Our World. This five-part composition, by taking the audience to depths of the sea, up to coastlines, over mountains, and soaring into the sky. Each movement results in a powerful musical tribute to the beauty and wonders of our wild world.  There is also a section where Joel Sartore introduces viewers to The Photo Ark. 

What a moving amazing wonderful work of art. I can not say enough complimentary things about this event. It was an excellent conclusion to our trip. 

Here is a link  https://natgeo-symphony.com 

We purchased the DVD so if you are ever at our place, just ask and I will put it on for you. 

After the Symphony I thought it would be nice to have a German meal at the Berghoff, sadly it was closed. Then Lynn said I could eat anyplace of my choosing, so I thought another Italian beef. Al’s Beef was also closed. So back tp the hotel for dinner in the lounge. 

It was a great trip with lots of memories, great Chicago Food, and museums. 

Thanks for reading along and sharing with your family and friends. Get out there and enjoy this wonderful world.  

Museum of Science and Industry - Fun and Educational!!

After our breakfast we grabbed a bus to the Museum of Science and Industry. 

If you have been following along with this blog you have learned most of the buildings we have visited housing these grand museums were once part of the Worlds Columbian Exposition. This holds true for the Museum of Science and Industry. It was initially funded by a 3 million dollar grant from Julius Rosenwald and a city bond issue. The doors opened during the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. 

For me, I returned with many grade school field trip memories. It truly is a museum to explore and learn, with many hands on exhibits. 

I was always inspired by these planes

Such a KEWL Train Set, One anyone would love to have. 

I recalled the large model train set and made a beeline there. I recall it being .027 gauge and now is HO gauge. I could be wrong on the .027 gauge but it was a few years back.

So many exhibits, so I will just highlight a few. 

Flight and airplanes has always held a place near and dear for me. 

MUST GO TO THE OBX AND KILL DEVIL HILL. 

Chemistry, Weather, Ship Models, always for things to find around every corner. Just so much to experience 

Vortex

Foucault Pendulum always fascinated me. 

Then there is the German WWII Submarine captured on the High Seas. A fascinating Story well worth researching. 

I would have liked to see a few more words about the Enigma Machine. 

After capture the U505 was towed to Bermuda and later to the US. and up the St Lawrence, stopping in Baie Comeau only 3to. receive the key to the city. 

What a treasure to see this, memories of a great Canadian Community. 

The Crew of the U505 were taken to a POW camp in Louisiana. 

There is also a fin exhibit on our space program including  Mercury and Apollo crafts.  

Then there is the coal mine. Where we had an excellent guide. He made the experience interesting as his presentation was filled with knowledge and humor. 

As one waits there was an enjoyable film documenting what life was like for the coal mining community 

Mine train to take you to work. I think I was the only person who caught the song the guide was whistling as we walked through the exhibit. Yes it was 16 Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford. So St Peter don't ya call me cause I can't go, I owe my sole to the company store. 

Modern mining equipment. 

We then called it a day and caught a bus back to our hotel area stopping at Giordanos for pizza. Both are good but Lou's might be a tad better. 

A Day At The Chicago Art Institute

3/29 

The Art Institute 

Today was a lazy start kinda day. We slept in till 0600, cleaned up and went to breakfast in the lounge, taking our time to prepare for the day and out the door for the short walk to the Art Institute. As we were way early we decided to stop for coffee at Panera Bread. As we will soon have a Panera in Cheyenne I picked up loyalty card. We also got some Oatmeal Raisin Berry cookies, which are very good. 

One thing we have learned about the Chicago City Pass is that it really helps one skip the normal daily ticket purchase line. 

The Art Institute was built jointly with the city of Chicago for the World’s Columbian Exposition at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Adams Street. A Chicago Landmark where the entry is flanked by the two famous stately bronze lions standing in watch on the “front door” of the museum. 

To me there is only one negative about the Art Institute in that the floors are a jumble because it is four different cobbled together. With that out of the way, the collections of this museum are beyond words, well it is the #1 Museum of Chicago.

We started our exploration in the Lower Level where the Thorne Miniatures are on display. The miniatures are so intricate in their detail. They are not doll house rooms, they are Miniatures.  I was totally intrigued by the detail of these miniature rooms. The craftsmanship for me is beyond description. The scale was one inch equals one foot. A staff was commissioned by Thorne to produce these works. Some of the wood craftsmen made their own tools to make their creations. Each craftsman/artist had their speciality. I say again, the detail is beyond words. 

A Collection of ornate glass paperweights 

American Gothic 

Night Hawks 

Homer 

Angkor Period for Cambodia 

Next we went to the 2nd floor for European Art before 1900. Here we worked our way through galleries holding the masterpieces of the Masters. There was a special exhibit of Rembrandt Portraits. His use of light evokes such emotion. 

Then we admire the the works of Van Gogh, Monet, Seurat, and Gauguin. All this makes me wish I had a better grasp of art history. 

We meandered our way throughout all the various galleries, making sure to seeing many classics, works of Homer, Bierstadt, and Grant Wood. 

I will admit the modern art is not my cup of tea, and we passed through these galleries rather quickly. The art of the Americas and the decorative furniture were enjoyable. 

We then made our way back to the hotel making a stop for some Garretts Popcorn. Actually today was not as long as our past two days so we are taking advantage of the lounge happy hour and canapés. 

We will traveling Rt 66 later this years so only befitting to note the start of the Mother Road 

Tomorrow will be Science and Industry Museum. 

Thank you all so much for reading and following our trip. Please feel free to share with friends and family.