17 July 2021 Hollywood FL

 That's a Wrap!      17 July 2021  Hollywood FL

We had an early flight and were out of the Hotel before the city woke up.  That means the highways were clear and that was a good thing.  We had to return the car, take the shuttle to the terminal and then get through screening to our gate.  There were lots of people in the airport and we were happy to get into our seats and get home.

Back home for some showers

16 July Chicago Concert

 A free Concert of Classical Music    16 July Chicago Concert

Here it is, our last day of activities on this trip.  One thing that we really like about travel is how it helps you be in the moment.  We know that there is a plan for tomorrow but when you are on the road its the plan for today that is in the forefront.  What better way to cap this reconnection trip but to spend an evening with Susan.  She was also at out original wedding in Boothbay, making her the 9th person from the wedding that we were able to visit with.  The concert stared at 6:30 but we got there early to get seats.  Yes, actual seats with back support and a great view.  Take that you lawn dwellers!  We brought champagne and Susan brought cups to drink out of.  I purchased a can of wine for only $10 from the stand.  It was a Sterling Cab and one of the best values I can recall for venue wine.  Susan also brought a fine platter with cheese, cranberries, salami and apricots.  We snacked, drank, talked and laughed right up to the start of the concert.  A fabulous way to reconnect.  The rain finally caught up to us and we had to don ponchos during the Bernstein section of the concert.  It was a light rain so the show continued without interruption.  There were three pieces presented with Sibelius's 5th symphony as the finale.  We went back to Susan's incredible place on the 43rd floor overlooking the lake.   It was very nice and the view was so spectacular that I was able to be on the balcony for 5 full minutes soaking up the view before my dislike for heights got the better of me.  We then moseyed over to our hotel for a few drinks before calling it a night.  We are off to the Airport early tomorrow.  

No need for a boring old stairway, its a groovy one instead

A system of interior walkways for the cold months

Dog park in Susan's back yard

Flag Row

Early as usual

Peace!

Very tasty bubbly

Three cheers for us!  Sip, Sip, Champagne!

Let the concert begin

A massive stage

A massive camera lens

Surprise, its raining!

As the light changed, so to did the reflections off of the metal work

Flowers in the six acre park that Susan gets to see from her balcony and enjoy at her leisure

A green oasis in the city

The view in the fading light

The big egg is lit up and morphing

There is an indoor pool under here

More foggy 

Lake view, look at all the boats

The park system off in the distance

That's a wrap, see you soon.

16 July 2021 Chicago Parks

 The Bean, Grant Park Amphitheater and the Obama Portraits  

16 July 2021 Chicago Parks

Heading south from our room we were headed to the Art Institute to see the Obama portraits displayed for the first time side by side.  On the way was an Art Fair, the Bean, Grant Park's Pritzker Pavilion, a series of gardens and finally the Art Institute.  We stopped at them all.  The art show was cool but pictures were discouraged.  One booth was devoted to bow ties and we definitely had to stop.  There was a large variety of booths including decorated wine corks, silk shawls, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, food and more.  A few blocks away we arrive at the Celestial Gate also known as the Bean.  It was difficult finding ourselves in the reflections.  Just a few steps away is the Pritzker Pavilion a massive structure that covers the lawn as well as a magnificent stage area.  Tony B had worked on the stage area and so I did a bit of quality control for him.  I did see a few areas that needed work so we got a "kudos" from Tony.  We were lucky to see the orchestra practicing on the stage.  After that we head off to the Art Institute.  We started with the Obama portraits and then got lost in the labyrinthine galleries of the Art Institute.  My favorite room was still as grand as I remember.  Lots of impressionists with haystacks to spare.  We emerge form the Art Institute enlightened and hungry.  So its a pile of sushi!  Yum.  Then we strolled through the Lurie Garden

Let the festivities begin!

So many bow ties but not one was the correct color

Laying down a dye pattern

The Bean

Very popular 

And very large

Can you see us in the bean?

We are the couple in the distance on the left

Here we are, the front most couple in the reflection

Sinuous metal structures

The stage and the large structure that covers the lawn

Seats and the beginning of the lawn

Practice makes perfect

Just a towel, not a pair of white shorts

Here we are for the show

So true

Dali

Van Gogh

A Less Stressed Van Gogh

Not yet ready for this adventure

Lovely flowers at out lunch spot

I hear a hoo!

A delightful stroll

A burst of yellow

Purple cone flowers

Delightfully white

This time the bridge was open

Nice stroll