A weeks worth of stuff

I haven't been posting much. Here are some pictures of what we have been doing the last week with comments.

We went to a cookie store and to a chocolte candy factory that is just a few blocks from where we are staying.

We took another bus tour and passed the radio flyer factory. This giant wagon is out front.

I really like the Chicago skyline.

We went to the oldest Polish Catholic church in Chicago. There was a polish folk group from Canada that played.

Then we went to the church in downtown Chicago. A stark contrast.

After church we went to Palmer house for breakfast.

Another walking tour

Took L and bus to Hyde park and saw President Obama's Chicago house.
Lots of security, as you can imaging.
If you stand too long on the sidewalk across the street, an agent
will get out of a car and ask you to move along.

Then we took a bus to China town.

Finally went back to the loop and found a Target to pick up some 'Chicago' gifts.

A day at the zoo

We rode the #8 bus north, then the #76 bus east to Lincoln park zoo.
The zoo is one of the worlds great zoo's and has no admission charge.
For the poor people that drive their cars, it does cost $20 to park.

Just your average Chicago neighborhood church

About a 15 minute walk from where we are staying. Went to church here
Sunday morning.

We don't care about no stinking strike

Although I must confess, I am not a hockey fan, we did have a good time going to a game last night. This is minor league hockey but to my uneducated eye, pretty good stuff.

This is a high class place, they have TWO Zamboni's.

A day on the train(s)

We decided to just ride the 'L' today. Actually a few of them.

We rode the Blue line to downtown and changed to the Pink line.
We rode the Pink line around the loop then to the end in Cicero and back to the Loop.
Then we got on the Red line and rode it south almost to the end.
We passed by the baseball park the White Sox play in.

Then we rode the Red line back north and passed by Wrigley field where the Cubs play.

Saw a lot of interesting things on the way. I love trains, and this place is a train lovers paradise.

Here are some pictures. Be sure to go the bottom to see some views taken of the downtown skyline from the roof of our place.

M(o)SI

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is a great place. I visited there many times when I was going to school at the Naval Base in Great lakes in the 1960's.

The U505 submarine is a main attraction, it costs an extra $8 to go on it over the cost of admission.

The Zephyr display is great, we got a tour through the cars. Much smaller than you would think.

Aircraft hanging from the ceiling. The 727 is a real airplane, and was flown to a field close to the museum before being disassembled and put on display.

Now this is a little strange. There is a bunny rabbit that hangs around our building.

Walking day in Chicago

Tuesday was a day to learn how to use the trains and buses, and to walk around downtown.

We have a 30 day unlimited pass for the CTA which covers all buses and 'L' trains.

The Picaso is still there, there is a Christmas festival going on all around it.

This now seems to be the symbol of Chicago. Officially, it's called the Cloud gate, but it's nickname is the gumdrop.

Retirement trip, first post

It took two days to drive to Chicago, we stopped the first night in Murphreesboro TN. I felt like the Clampets. It takes a lot stuff to live out of your home for a month.

The truck parked in front of our place. We unloaded there then moved the truck to off street parking in the alley behind the building

It didn't take long for Maggie to get comfortable in her bed.

More retirement pictures

Our annual family reunion turned into a retirement party for Dennis.
Beautiful day, great time.

Granny and Dennis getting ready.

The shirt and the clock both from my wonderful wife.

Grandkids.  Ella is taking a nap.

The whole group.  

Retirement begins

I left TRAK Microwave on November 16 to begin my retirement.
The group there had a cake for me.

Now for a rush of activity to get ready for the trip to Chicago.

Ella takes Granny to brunch for her birthday

We had a most wonderful day with Ella and her folks today.

One insurance claim every 3 years

So, it's been 36 months since my last auto insurance claim.
Couldn't last.
On a rainy morning, I was in the median pulling out of our sub-division, and got clipped by a car.
Here are the pictures.  His car is a lot worse than my truck.