A Rainstorm in Chicago

The day started at 530AM. My mom and two of my sister's kids were sleeping in my living room.

We got ready, grabbed some coffee for the road and headed to the Kewanee, IL train station. About an hour drive.

Hog Capital of the World. With train station!

it's almost here!

Illinois Zephyr

After a 2.5 hour train ride, we arrive in Chicago, Union Station.

One of the first sights you see when you come into town via train is the Willis Tower and the Chicago River.

Tall. Tower-y. There is an elevator to the top, but that was not on the itinerary for this trip.

Buckingham Fountain

Water Taxi from the Museum Campus to Navy Pier.

Good view of the Chicago skyline.

I love boats!

Good day for a sail.

The kids loved it! :-)

At Navy Pier.  The line for the Wheel was kinda long, so we decided against it for this trip.

 Lunch at the Pier.

Stones, baby!

Stained glass by Tiffany

Before leaving the Pier, we had to take a moment at the funny glass thing. 

Leaving the Pier, headed towards Millennium Park. It was about here that we noticed the skies to the North were getting cloudy and dark. 

We were going to get rained on, so I packed up the camera in my bag, got out my umbrella (they all laughed at my over-preparedness! haha!) and waited for the rain to start.

And it did. within minutes it was  downpour, and we were huddled under a tree along the Lakeshore trail with a couple other families. Relatively sheltered, trees and an umbrella. We watched runners and bicyclists and other visitors either accept their soggy fate or rush to other trees along the path. 

After maybe ten minutes, the rain began to subside, so ventured out from under the trees.

The passing clouds. On the way out over the Lake.

The clouds were parting, sun was reappearing. We continued our walk to the Park.

A must-visit while in Chicago. Cloud Gate, by British artist Anish Kapoor. Most folks know it as "the Bean"

In Daley Plaza: the Pablo Picasso sculpture.

Eternal Flame. Dedicated to those who served or who died in the armed forces.

The Flame is extremely popular with chilly pigeons.

Flamingo by Alexander Calder. 

50 West Adams Street

Back to the train station where a friend met us and had a quick visit before we boarded, then a quiet ride back to Kewanee, then home. 

Good day in Chicago, rainstorm and all!