Walking Around Chicago

So I got off the train.  Normally, I would grab lunch at the Train Station (they have a couple of good restaurants there) but I wasn't particularly hungry, so I headed off on my walk.  I was actually thinking about heading over to the Art Museum, but I decided to wander over to the Hancock Building first.  It was actually a fairly nice day but a little on the humid side.

 At one time, there were seven train stations in Chicago.  It makes me wonder if Union Station was the one that was in the best condition or the best location.  It seems like it is a pretty good location as it puts most of the downtown area within easy walking distance.

 Just a shot down the Chicago River.  I was almost thinking of taking a boat ride again but I already did that last year.

 Looking up at the Willis Tower.  I guess I'm getting more comfortable with calling it that rather than the Sears Tower.

 I saw the Chicago flag and I had to get the Chicago shot, but I'm not quite sure about it.

 I kind of liked some of the details on this building.

 I liked the friezes on this one. 

 One thing that I like about Chicago is the fact that the buildings have character.  Other cities may have taller buildings but I don't think they'll be Chicago on looks.

 I'm a huge Blues Brothers fan and I just love this statue because of what happens in that movie.

 This is a statue that was built by Pablo Picasso.  Originally it got a lukewarm reception but I think the people have warmed up to it.  My favorite opinion of it is this one:
Newspaper columnist Mike Royko, covering the unveiling of the sculpture, wrote: “Interesting design, I’m sure. But the fact is, it has a long stupid face and looks like some giant insect that is about to eat a smaller, weaker insect.” Royko did credit Picasso with understanding the soul of Chicago. “Its eyes are like the eyes of every slum owner who made a buck off the small and weak. And of every building inspector who took a wad from a slum owner to make it all possible.... You’d think he’d been riding the L all his life.”

 I thought this was a pretty cool looking building.

 The Trump Tower and Hotel was completed in 2009.  It has 98 stories and stands a little under 1389 feet tall.  Currently it is the 12th tallest building in the world.

 A George Washington statue.

 The Wrigley Building.

 I think this is a frieze of LaSalle.

 Looking down the Chicago River.

 This guy was pretty interesting.  He was a street magician.  He was performing quite a few slight of hand tricks.

 Looking up at the Tribune Building.  I kind of liked the flags with the lines.

 Looking up at the Hancock Building.  Currently it is the 4th tallest building in Chicago.  At one time, it was the tallest building outside of New York.  It stands at 1,127 feet tall and was built in 1969.  It is definitely one of the more unique buildings in the world.

 One of the Chicago Police cars.  The Chicago Police Department was formed in 1837, making it one of the oldest modern police departments in the world.  With over 12,000 sworn officers, it is the second largest police force in the country (after New York's).

 Another view of the Hancock Building.

 I was starting to get hungry.  I was thinking about going to one of the pizza places but the one I passed had a ton of people waiting.  I wasn't sure about that one and then I found one that I was familiar with but that also had a ton of people.  And then I decided on this place, the Elephant and Castle.  The food was pretty good but a little pricey.

 Another view of the Wrigley Building.

 And the Tribune Building. 

 I kind of like this one a little bit better.

 The Carbide and Carbon Building was built in 1929 for the Union Carbide Building.    the building was built with black granite and gold accents.  I hate to think of how much it cost to build.

 It is 37 stories tall.

 Looking down Michigan.  I'd swear this street is always busy.

 Trying to get a better angle.

 What they call the Space Bean.  I love the way the skylines look on this.

 And a picture of yours truly.

 I kind of like the TV screen.

 Well, I made it to the Art Museum but I looked at the time and decided I didn't want to pay for a couple of hours.  So I just continued my walking tour of Chicago.

 Looking down Adams Street towards the Willis Tower.

 I was kind of interested in this.  It looks like you make a move and then move to the next spot.  I didn't play though.

 The top of this building used to say Santa Fe for the railroad.  I think they removed that sign a couple of years ago.  Originally this was built as a railway exchange building for the Santa Fe railroad.    Currently it serves as Notre Dame's Business School.

 Looking up Michigan Avenue.

 I don't remember what park this was, but I liked the look of the statue with the birds on his arm.

 A Chicago Police Officer directing traffic.

 There was a Pro-Palestine Rally.  I really try hard to keep politics off the blog so I wont get into my thoughts on that whole situation. 

 The Chicago Art Institute.

 Chicago is the origin of Route 66.

 Looking up at the Chicago Board of Trade Building.

 This is a statue depicting industry.  Sometimes, you end up making a political statement when you really didn't mean it.  Behind the statue is what seems like the only industry that the United States is making itself these days.

 And taking the picture from a different angle tells a different story.

 Looking up at the Willis Tower again.

 An Elevated Train passes by.

 Looking down the other way at Adams Street.

 The globe in front of the Willis Tower.

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do a little boatnerding.