Thursday, August 02, 2007

Sears Tower, Chicago, Illinois, August 1, 2007

I got to work yesterday to discover that we had a field trip to the Sears Tower. We packed the kids and ourselves in a school bus and went downtown.



It was a little hazy yesterday, but the view was still magnificent. This is the view north. The Chicago River North Branch ambles north and west, passing about a block from our home.



If you look west you can see...



...the United Center, where the Black Hawks and Bulls play.



This is the view to the south.






To the southwest.



To the northeast. When I was a kid, the Prudential Building, the building in the center of the picture with the blue sign, was the tallest building in Chicago. There was almost nothing between the Prudential Building and Navy Pier, which you can see in the background.



Yes, that's a steeple on top of a skyscraper.



You can see the Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium in this one.



This is Millenium Park.



The Northwest Side, where Kim, the kids and I live.

10 comments:

Foofa said...

Great photos. I have never been up there and really want to go. Then again I don't want to go because I'll feel like a tourist. What's a girl to do?

Tenacious S said...

We're off to the Art Institute today with Sweetness and her friend. I'm looking forward to being downtown.

Splotchy said...

Why didn't you wave to me?!!

SkylersDad said...

Hey! I can see your house. You left the porch light on.

Johnny Yen said...

Natalie-
I've been up there at least 4 times, and I'm a born and bred Chicagoan. Do it! And go up at night, sometime-- it's incredible!

TenS-
Have a great time! I love the Art Institute. One of the things I'm excited about with this new job is being close to it. I'll visit more often.

Splotchy-
I did! You didn't see me?

Skyler's Dad-
You have no idea how funny that is. Post to follow.

BeckEye said...

I've never been there, but I would love to take the Ferris Bueller tour. Do they have those? :)

Dale said...

Great shots Johnny, that's Chicago like I've never seen it. Actually, I have never seen it so there you go.

yournamehere said...

I've been up there. And in the John Hancock Building too.

Is the United Center in the same location as the old stadium where the Bulls played?

We did a Habitat for Humanity trip to Chicago in 1986 and we stayed in, frankly, a flophouse on the West side. Part of our task was to clean the abandoned rooms in said flophouse because Jimmy Carter and group were going to be there the following week. We also did some minor repairs in selected homes around the neighborhood.

At night, our unofficial tour guide took us to local restaurants and points of interest. We even took one afternoon to go to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs when they only played day games.

I've been to Chicago since, but that was the first time I had been in such a large building. I'll have to make it back some time.

GETkristiLOVE said...

My dad used to live close to there before moving to Evanston, so he took me up there once. It's pretty cool, but I much prefer the Art Institute. I go to visit Georges (Seurat) almost every time I'm in Chi-twon. If you go there next time, post a pic.

Johnny Yen said...

Beckeye-
I think so, but the one where you get to sing Danke Schoen from atop a float in the German-American parade is pretty expensve, I've heard...

Dale-
I hope some day you visit, show I can show you around!

Todd-
It's very close to where the old one was.

I was sad when they tore the old one down not because of the Bulls, but because of some of the other history of the place; it was where FDR was first nominated by the Democratic Party to run for President in 1932.

I was living in Wrigleyville when they installed the lights. They used a huge helicopter to haul the big steel beams up to the top-- very noisy!

When you get to town, shoot me an email! (it's on my profile).

I always greatly admired Jimmy Carter, with the Habitat For Humanity stuff. Do you think W. will do the same?

Kristi-
I can throw a rock at the Art Institute from my new job. I'll have to become a member again, and will defintely get pictures for you!