Sears Tower

Sears Tower

Lake Michigan and Millenium Park

Soldier Field just behind those buildings

The Aon Center, one of the highest in Chicago

The view north and east

Looking northern neighborhoods of Chicago

The Hancock Center in black

The Carbide & Carbon Building

In late 1800s the Chicago River's flow was reversed.  It now flows away from Lake Michigan.

A long, long way down!!!

Ok, I know, it's the building formerly known as the Sears Tower.  Today it's the Willis Tower.  Growing up in the shadows of NYC, I was always fascinated with NY's skyline.  It was heartbreaking to know there was a building in Chicago taller (the world's tallest for all of my childhood) than my beloved Twin Towers.  Just as the NYC skyline will always include the Twin Towers in my image, the Sears Tower will always be the Sears Tower.

Unfortunately, I did not take the stairs up.  After my brother and I picked up my dad at the train station, we suckered him into going to the top.  After a little waiting and what was most likely the fastest elevator that I've been on, we made it to the summit with some expansive views of Chicago despite the haze.

Being a lifelong New Yorker it was hard to come to the realization that Chicago's buildings appear to be far more interesting.  I will have to take a trip to Manhattan and spend time at just looking at its buildings to see if this is really how I feel.  Chicago has an immense amount of art deco buildings dating from the 1920s.  Unfortunately, two of the best, the Wrigley Building and the Chicago Tribune Building are somewhat obstructed from this vantage point.  There is a nice bird's eye view of what might be my favorite building in Chicago, The Carbide and Carbon Building.

The best view from the Sears Tower is to the north.  Here is where you get a nice view of some of the Art Deco buildings and the Hancock Center, one of the better modern skyscrapers.  Also viewed from here is the Trump Building which is the 2nd highest in Chicago.  But when it comes to Trump, Has he created anything appealing?    

Sunrise on Lake Michigan

Waiting for the sun

The sun creeping up

Downtown

Contemplation Point

The Edgewater Hotel

I was disciplined enough this morning to watch the sun rise over Lake Michigan.  I had to take advantage of my close proximity to the shore.

Lake Shore Path

These semi-lighthouses dot the shore

Looking back

Some art work

Here they're trying to preserve some of the plant life

These birds get quite up close

One of the  great sky lines in the background

Late October and still some flowers

One of the many harbors along the way

Looks like a good catch

A monument to the Indians

I'd like to be that sailboat

This sky line rivals New York's

Lots of fishermen

The Hancock Center

The Navy Pier and Ferris Wheel

The view from the pier

At sunset is best to see the Hancock Center

Ferris Wheel all lit up

Sears Tower

The views from Millenium Park

The bean.  It's hard to believe this was unwelcomed at first

Wrigley Building and Tribune

The Marina Towers, they make up the cover of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Hancock Center looming large

Myself, taking a break from my run

Some of the skyline from a park

Lake Shore Path

Pittsfield Building to the right

Chicago style dog, good way to end a run!

When in Chicago, a walk along Lake Michigan is a must.  The Lake Shore Path is an absolute treasure.  From the north, I walked and ran about 6 miles into downtown.

Lake Michigan is one of the prettier bodies of water I have seen.  I envisioned an ugly, muddy body of water, but it was crystal clear light blue.  Very beautiful.  There are plenty of beaches and a few harbors where there are plenty of boats.  One day I met up with some of Chicago's fierce winds.  Surprisingly (or not so surprisingly), the Windy City isn't named for its weather, but for its politicians.

The closer one walks toward downtown, the skyline of Chicago becomes more impressive.  From the north, the Hancock Center (which very briefly was Chicago's tallest) dominates the view.  Soon the Navy Pier and its 150 foot ferris wheel are within reach.  This is a main tourist attraction.  It's a good place to take a stroll, similar to walking along a boardwalk, with lots of food vendors and some amusement rides.  

Magnificent Mile, Chicago

John Hancock Center

Water Tower

Water Tower and John Hancock Center

Michigan Ave

Looking north to Water tower

Shopping!!!

I wonder how much a night is there

Water Tower

Chicago Tribune

My favorite building

The Wrigley Building

Trump

The end of the Magnificent Mile.  It's Magnificent!!! 

I have walked plenty magnificent miles before.  The walk along the Plattekill.  The walk down into the Grand Canyon.  The walk across Avalanche Lake.  The walk on Angel's Landing.  The Labrynth leading up to Mohonk.  The Knife Edge.  All of them very magnificent miles indeed.

This Magnificent Mile is mostly named for its shopping.  It's not something I look for in a walk.  Not even an urban walk.  It did have its moments and there are some great sights.

The Magnificent Mile runs along Michigan Ave.  I walked south from Oak St to the Chicago River.  The walk starts near the Hancock Building.  This briefly was the tallest building in Chicago until the Sears Tower was built.  The Hancock is an interesting looking building, as so many buildings in Chicago are.  It's black and the building narrows as it ascends toward the sky.

Near the Hancock is the Water Tower.  This is one of the only buildings left in downtown after the great Chicago fire of 1871.  The Water Tower rises almost 200 feet, but is surrounded by massive buildings.  It's a wonder this used to be the most visible building in Chicago's skyline.

The walk then became a bit less interesting.  Shop after shop.  But then as one nears the Chicago River, the great architecture of the buildings ahead make this walk a Chicago must.  The Chicago Tribune building dominates to the east and the Wrigley building dominates to the north.  These buildings all date from the 1920s.  Across the river views of numerous other architectural gems from the 20s are visible.