PLACES

CHICAGO

I had the opportunity of a lifetime to have a four year work assignment in Chicago. It came with an apartment downtown. I feel in love with the city, the bustling downtown, the dining, all the cultural opportunities and, most of all, the lakefront. Here are my favorite photos from that time. I had hoped it would never end, but alas . . . .

After living in Chicago several months I realized I needed a decent camera - there was no iPhone and my Blackberry did not take pictures. One Saturday morning I purchased a Sony pocket camera and walked a few blocks to the Chicago River to try it out. Walking to the middle of the Michigan Avenue bridge I had a surprise. The river was GREEN! Chicago has been dying the river green for St. Patrick's Day since 1962. The tradition originated when plumbers used an orange dye to trace pollution sources and realized it turned the water a brilliant, emerald green. The vibrant green color generally lasts between 4 to 5 hours. So the above was the inaugural picture of my new camera.

When taking the “green” Chicago River picture from the Michigan Avenue bridge, I could have looked over my shoulder and seen the center piece of Chicago’s downtown architecture. Built in 1924, the iconic Wrigley Building was built as the corporate headquarters for the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. The landmark is celebrated for its gleaming terra-cotta facade, a two-story clock tower, and for pioneering the commercial development of the Magnificent Mile. Wrigley built his empire on chewing gum, launching legendary flavors like Juicy Fruit (1893), Wrigley's Spearmint (1893), and Doublemint (1914). He purchased the Chicago Cubs in 1921, and the family retained ownership for 60 years. Hence, the historic ballpark, aka the “Friendly Confines,” Wrigley Field, the second oldest ballpark in baseball. The Chicago Bears pro football team played their games at Wrigley Field from 1921-1970. Wrigley was a philanthropist known for reinvesting in the community, funding various city beautification projects, and providing jobs that supported Chicago's economy through the Great Depression.

Chicago may turn the river green for St. Patrick’s Day, but when Halloween comes around the theme is very much “orange.” This is one of the many fountains downtown.

Why did I fall in love with the lakefront? A picture is worth a thousand words . . . .

Why did I fall in love with the lakefront? A picture is worth a thousand words . . . .

View of downtown from Museum Campus

View of downtown from Museum Campus

View of downtown from the Lincoln Park lakefront trail

View of downtown from the Lincoln Park lakefront trail

View of downtown from farther north on the Lincoln Park lakefront trail

View of downtown from farther north on the Lincoln Park lakefront trail

I was riding a water taxi from Navy Pier to Museum Campus and took a picture of another water taxi. While I was in Chicago Uber came into existence which was a big development to a downtown resident with no car. Both types of taxis were new to me. Ub

I was riding a water taxi from Navy Pier to Museum Campus and took a picture of another water taxi. While I was in Chicago Uber came into existence which was a big development to a downtown resident with no car. Both types of taxis were new to me. Uber was truly new, but water taxis had been in Chicago since 1961.

When the "Windy City" provides the wind the lakefront is anything but placid. In this pic the waves are breaking over the seawall. Years before on a business trip Lake Shore Drive was closed because lake waters rose so high and froze solid on the roa

When the "Windy City" provides the wind the lakefront is anything but placid. In this pic the waves are breaking over the seawall. Years before on a business trip Lake Shore Drive was closed because lake waters rose so high and froze solid on the road.

A distant and forlorn moon looks down on the placid waters of Lake Michigan and a dusting of snow on Chicago's shore. Winter has left the tree stark and bare. The scene looks bleak and very lonely. As dismal as the scene is, the emotions it evokes are real. That makes for a good photo. There is an odd characteristic to this photo. Most people’s eyes are drawn to the moon, as distant and small as it is. The moon in the sky, particularly a sky that is still partially a day sky, will most always get the initial attention before one explores the picture more. What is odd about that is that the tree is so stark and takes up so much more of the composition. Still, the eye darts to it only after looking directly and the much smaller moon.

The dog. The shoes. Any doubt?

The dog. The shoes. Any doubt?

Oz Park is a whimsical, 14-acre public park in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Officially established in 1976, it is dedicated to L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, who lived in the area in the 1890s.

Oz Park is a whimsical, 14-acre public park in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Officially established in 1976, it is dedicated to L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, who lived in the area in the 1890s.

The park has "Dorothy's Playlot," a community-built, Oz-themed playground where children can play and explore

The park has "Dorothy's Playlot," a community-built, Oz-themed playground where children can play and explore

There is "Emerald Gardens," a beautiful, volunteer-maintained green space and meditation garden honoring the magical "Emerald City".

There is "Emerald Gardens," a beautiful, volunteer-maintained green space and meditation garden honoring the magical "Emerald City".

The grounds are well-equipped with baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, soccer fields, and a half-mile walking/biking trail.

The grounds are well-equipped with baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, soccer fields, and a half-mile walking/biking trail.