Chicago Day 2

This morning we did an architectural boat tour of Chicago. Our guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. I think my favorite building that we saw was the St Regis Chicago. It was designed by the woman architect, Jeanne Gang.

St Regis, Chicago
Our hotel, the Swissotel is the shiny building in the center. It’s shaped like an equilateral triangle.
Nearing the end of our tour

Next we walked Al around Navy Pier and stopped for a snack at Harry Carry’s Tavern. We are very lucky to have perfect weather. We sat outside and enjoyed relaxing.

Harry Caray was a legendary sports announcer for the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago Cubs.

We were almost back to the hotel when I realized that I had left my video camera on the table at Harry Caray’s. I was sick with worry that I had lost it for good. We raced back to the restaurant. At first no one knew anything about it but as we were getting ready to give up and leave I saw it at the lecturn out by the door. What a relief!! Everyone was so nice and helpful and we found it!

Tonight we went to dinner in Lincoln Square and then to a concert at a venue called the Old Town School of Folk Music. We saw Charlie Hunter and Cesar Rosas & the Old Town Playboys.

Charlie Hunter. The woman who he was supposed to be playing with was ill so he performed solo.

Marion, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois

This morning we left our friends house outside of Marion, Iowa about 10 am and headed east. We crossed over the Mississippi River and entered our seventh state on this trip, Illinois.

The Mississippi River

Tonight we are staying quite near Lake Michigan in downtown Chicago. We have a wonderful view of the lake and the river from our room at the Swissotel. Surprisingly our three nights at the Swisshotel will only cost us about $100 more in total than our three nights at our motel in Manchester!

The view from our room

When he was planning this trip, Duke made reservations for us to go to Andy’s Jazz Club and see a quartet with the drummer Charles Heath IV. We had an excellent dinner and the music was great. It was a perfect evening.

Andy’s Jazz Club