Travel | Travel Like a Scotsman

Of course, everyone knows that Chicago is famous for its architecture. But, until you go visit, you really can’t appreciate what a spectacular city has evolved from a myriad of architectural schools and styles and individual artists. It truly is art on a grand scale. And smack dab in the middle of these skyscrapers and futuristic monoliths is a beautiful river and parks that bring fun and whimsy into the serious business of a modern city. Here are photos showing some of the diversity of Chicago’s downtown. All were taken from the boat that is part of the architectural tour of the Chicago River.

And, in contrast, there is the Gothic style.

Aqua at Lakeshore East
With wave-like balconies, Aqua was designed by Jeanne Gang’s firm
Studio Gang. At 82 stories it is the tallest building in the U.S.
designed by an architectural firm headed by a woman. Go Jeanne!

333 West Wacker Drive
The curved green-tinted facade is in perfect harmony
with the hue of the Chicago river.

The Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower,
was the world’s tallest building for 24 years.

330 N. Wabash
Miles van der Rohe’s austere, minimalist glass-and-steel building
exemplifies Moderism with which van der Rohe is always associated.

This last photo is the house that gum built (the Wrigley building!)

We’re planning a trip in May with our best friends. They’re flying here to Phoenix and we’ll drive to Gallup, New Mexico, then head north into Colorado. We’ll go first to Durango and meet another couple there whom we haven’t seen for many years. Together we’ll ride the Silverton Railroad which is a 9-hour round trip. We’ll stay another night in Durango before heading east to Alamosa. On the way, we hope to sample the hot springs at Pagosa Springs. Maybe even a bit of white-water rafting if that’s available. We’ll stay in Alamosa so that we can visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park, something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Visit their web site for some spectacular photographs of the dunes. I might have to even get up early to get some good shots. After we explore the park, we’ll return west to Mesa Verde and enjoy the magnificent views and architecture of the pueblos. Then back home to Phoenix. It should be a very enjoyable and informative trip.