The Windy City

The origins of Chicago's famous nickname vary from the frigid winds that sweep across Lake Michigan into the city's streets, to the city's politicians who have often been accused of being full of hot air. Either way, we have always loved the city with its diverse architecture, friendly people, and fabulous food, and we were especially delighted to share this visit with our daughter Laura, granddaughter Eliza, and our good friend, Leslie Bingham, from Montgomery/Jackson.

Three-year-old Eliza loved the big fish and Beluga whales at the Shedd Aquarium, the rousing carousel at the Navy Pier, and Adagio's cruise beneath the skyscrapers along the Chicago River. She toured Adagio's engine room with Charles and helped me with the lines as we went through the small lock entering the river. But her favorite activity was Chicago's iconic Ferris wheel, the Centennial Wheel. Soaring nearly 200 feet over the Navy Pier, the Wheel provides panoramic views of the city and Lake Michigan. Our gondola had a glass bottom, making it even more thrilling. Since the world's very first Ferris wheel made its debut in 1893 at the Chicago World's Fair, we felt we were a part of the city's history.

We got in our steps walking to two venerable Chicago Hotels, the Drake and the Palmer House, the Chicago Art Institute, John Hancock Tower, and Millenium Park. Interestingly, John Bryan of Mississippi led the fund-raising efforts for Millenium Park, which opened in 2004. The park is built above the old Illinois Central rail lines in Grant Park and features the iconic Cloud Gate (aka Chicago Bean) the Frank Gehry-designed Pritzker Pavillion, which hosts jazz and music festivals during the summer, and 24 acres of sprawling gardens and fountains.

A lovely dinner at Le Petit Paris, a tiny French restaurant near the lake, provided a perfect venue to celebrate our 43rd wedding anniversary. When Charles and I met at SMU in grad school, we could not have imagined that we would be cruising America's Great Loop together 44 years later, and we're so grateful to have each other on the journey.

Shedd Aquarium

Buckingham Fountain, Millenium Park

Navy Pier Carousel

Centennial Wheel

Adagio Engine Room Tour

Eliza in the Chicago River Lock

With Leslie at the Drake Hotel

Cloud Gate, aka the Bean

Chicago Skyline

View from John Hancock Tower