Choo Choo not Boo Hoo

 

I awoke briefly at 4am (10 am GMT) to purchase some Swans tickets, and then went back to sleep until around 7.30am What to do with the 4 or 5 hours we had left in Chicago? The weekend has had many distractions so much of the tourism has been incidental or seeing things in the distance as we walked or in some cases ran by. 

A few Ferris Bueller inspired sights was the inspiration but time was against us, how did he get so much done in one day?  Based mainly around the famous central 'Loop' which Chrissi was familiar with as spectacular spectator yesterday.

So it was the now very familiar Red Line to Dearborn and Adams junction where I think Ferris might have dropped off his car  (for the valet to take it on a road trip) and also close to the main procession too, his Dad jiving in one of the office windows above.

But it was the now Willis formerly Sears Tower that had to be our way to pay true homage, see as much of the city as gaze would allow, and also get a potted history in the museum on the ground floor before taking the skylift up to what was the worlds tallest building until the late 90s.

A sweeping historical perspective of the fire that destroyed the city back in 1871 and inspired a new type of  architecture at scale, with  the city being attributed to the birth of the  skyscraper via the designer William Le Barron Jenney.

Also an insight into the jazz music, mobs of gangsters. industry and entrepreneurs such as Wrigley of Wrigley Chewing Gum and Field.  Not Abe Froeman the Sausage King though, I think he was made up!

I also noted a bit of rock music such as Rage against the Machine from these parts and the big rock festival Lollapalooza featuring in Grant Park.

Politically, the Obamas hail from these parts, perhaps another reason the current president not so keen on the windy city.  The push back felt quite strong from the noise and sounds of the crowds yesterday, will certainly follow developments with interest from afar.

The Skylift did a great virtual guide to the viewing platform and there it was, Chicago highlights all before us .. almost!

Looked South towards the Expo and Chinatown BUT skyscrapers blocked out Soldier Field which was a bit of a disappointment.  Not always a force for good!

Looked East - the Lake Michigan expanse but just a few drops in the context of the Great Lakes, plus of course Navy Pier, and some of the places we frequented last night, including the other viewing skyscraper, '360 degrees'

And then the piece de resistance, looking north as Ferris and pals did, leaning against the window, looking up past Grant Park, the Magnificent Mile and indeed our home in East Claridge. Quite near the original playboy mansion as it turned out but Chrissi didn't want to take a look at that

Only marginally below the Ferris thing was the new glass floor viewing platform where we could take all kinds of photos, and contortions to get the perfect pic ... getting up off the glass floor was a challenge in the 90 seconds you are allotted

Phoned Bryn and Carys then, true Bueller lovers, they knew exactly where we were, and then it was down, walk, Red Line, Dunkin Donuts and the worlds biggest suitcase pack to leave the hotel.  Oh and nearly forgetting my glasses so had to go back to the room .. well it couldn't be an incident free day could it?!

We caught an Uber to Union Station, most impressive and grandiose. Even more so when we realised our sleeper train entitled us to first class privileges and the VIP lounge momentarily.

We then went through a boarding procession not unlike a primary school trip led to our platform, passed sniffer dogs, and then up into our cabin, in essence a small room with 2 seats

Made the decision against all my instincts to pay for a few days roaming on the phone, no wifi on board and 22 hrs could be spent at least partially digitally

Leaving Chicago mixed emotions, may come back one day, leaving unfinished business all over the place, but always more of the world to see and run around so we shall see.

Enjoyed some comfort in our 'cabin' for a few hours reading, surfing, oh and looking out of the window whilst it was still light outside, which it was for the first 3-4 hours of the journey.

Moved to the dining carriage for our included dinner and beer just as night was falling and we pulled into St Louis, gateway to the west, the welcoming arch a significant feature of the town, crossing the Mississippi too, so that all felt pretty cool.  No longer TWA or the Cardinals to mark out this historic city, but enjoyed a civilised meal.  A new dawn perhaps, could be tricky to start thinking that much about nutrition for the next few days, but its a start, took the salmon option.

After that, and some relaxed train style moments reading it was time to turn in, and the 'conductor' transformed our cabin into sleeping quarters. Up on the top bunk and lights out at 10am with maybe an anticipation of not the greatest of sleeps. To be fair, I did nod off as the train felt like it was speeding along at quite some pace, albeit it did feel like it was a rocking and a rolling.  Strange dreams ahead ....