Bette Burgess - Elmhurst and Millennium Park
Dan Knapp - Riverside
Gene Ramsay - Graceland Cemetery
Hugh Keenan - Chicago Theatre


APC Volunteers’ Trip to Chicago
Bette Burgess, Fox Theatre Guide

Somebody read my mind because it was just the place I wanted to go. Even better, with a group. This trip was ideal.

Arrival was right on time. Giving us just enough time to teach our first appointment 15 miles away at “The American Movie Palace Museum” in Elmhurst. To get there on time we decided to drop our bags at the hotel, take a cab and grab a bite to eat in Elmhurst near the museum. It worked! We completed the tour of the museum by closing.

No cab needed for the return trip. We played it “by ear” deciding on the train. Lucky for us, a train heading downtown would be arriving in eight minutes. Learning the train was 5 blocks away and 90% on time, we knew we had to hustle. The four of us began to walk – then realized a personal item had been left behind. Gene volunteered – raced back, got the article, caught up – and – yep, the four of us made it!

I was delighted that the train was a “double-decker” … and for me a “first.” So .. riding up-top was a “must”. The fare was $3.30; the scenery – “quaint” comes to mind. Surprisingly small towns so close to a city of skyscrapers. A fun ride.

Near sunset on Friday evening, three of us (Pam, Dan and I) took the short walk from the hotel to Millennium Park. The first thing I saw was the Frank Gehry steel ribbon structure with an overhead trellis looking very futuristic. We learned from the security guards that the park just opened in July, and about to face its first winter. The brochures assured it’s built to withstand the environment.

Moving right along … we came to the two 50 ft. glass brick towers. These spectacular towers have LED screens, water cascading and the faces of ordinary Chicago citizens flashing. The faces – lips pursed create the illusion that they’re about the spout water. My thoughts … cool way to include the locals.

By the time the three of us reached “the jellybean”, a.k.a. – upside down bedpan, it was pretty dark and this giant stainless steel structure was awesome. We watched people go underneath for the 3-D effect. Millennium Park entertains the mind – you walk away and keep looking back!

This trip had superb planning and ideal travel companions. I loved it. There was talk of “On to San Francisco” ….. I hope so.

 

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