So we set the alarm (first time we have had to do that in over 10 months) and were on the road by 7 am for the 40 min drive to Kenosha. 7.51 and we were on our way. All ticket sales are done on board the train by conductors. who wear the atypical conductors uniform including the cap. Once you have purchased your ticket he "punches" it with the ticket price and destination, and then puts it in a clip on the back of the seat in front of where you are sitting. He does this for the whole journey - in our case some 90 minutes. All rather nostalgic and amusing for us. Those that have a weekly or trip ticket must also display them on the clips.
We chatted to the conductor and he asked us about trains in Australia he was surprised that we no longer employ conductors. We arrived in downtown Chicago and as we had pre purchased a city bus tour we walked the several blocks for the pickup. As the bus toured the city we were amazed how clean and well set out this city was - we were impressed. A bus tour is always a great way to see the main attractions and get the low down on all the famous people who live there especially if time is short.
The light coloured building is the prison
Apartment building, note the car park in the bottom levels
Our first get off stop was the John Hancock building - $18 each to ride the elevator up 94 levels to the viewing deck. Spectacular!
Looking across the city
The "northern" beaches of Lake Michigan
One of the things we needed to do whilst in Chicago was register our votes in the upcoming Australian election at the Australian Consulate. Along the way we stopped at a little cafe / restaurant called "Ronnie's Steakhouse". We have all heard about and experienced the large servings you sometimes get in the USA - well this place certainly ticked that box!! I ordered the taco salad for Rose ($5.99) and the deluxe burger for me ($6.99). Check it out!
Oh dear how do we eat these!
Bellies full to overflowing we waddled up the road to the Consulate. After clearing security we made our way to the office and were told to sit in the waiting room until called. While sitting there another young Aussie lady - Hayley - arrived - also there to cast her vote. We started chatting and it turned out that Rose works with her sister in Brisbane! Hayley lives in New York but was in Chicago for the weekend visiting friends. It is a very small world sometimes!
Hayley and Rose outside the Australian Consulate
Voting completed we jumped back on our tour bus and went to the Millennium Park to see Cloud Gate. Constructed between 2004 and 2006, the sculpture is nicknamed "The Bean" because of its bean-like shape. It is made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together and it's highly polished exterior has no visible seams. It is 33 x 66 x 42 feet (10 x 20 x13 m), and weighs 110 tons.The sculpture's surface reflects and distorts the city's skyline. We, like many other tourists walked around and under Cloud Gate's 12-foot (3.7 m) high arch and obviously took a few happy snaps. We walked around the park and then stopped at the little bar for a relaxing wine before heading back to the train station and the hour and a half trip back home. It was a big day!
The "bean" sculpture
Can You See Us?
Our last day in Racine was spent celebrating my 51st birthday. A leisurely day around the campsite - no need for a birthday present - I have everything I want - spending it fifth wheeling around the USA with Rosé makes it even better.
Tomorrow we have one of our longest drives so far 447 miles - back to Rose's brother's place in Manchester Ohio where this journey began some 10 + months ago - for a farewell visit.
- Posted by RnR on their IPad
Location:Chicago, Illinois
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