Over March 24-27, I drove down to Chicago and soaked in this magnificent city. 

First was some unexpected nature shots. Ice storm in Wisconsin the day before + crawling freeway traffic = an opportunity to take these pictures out the window:

…and I took this trip to enjoy city living!

Later this night, I got to Chicago. Museums, parks, music, and more. In photos and videos, here’s a hodgepodge of what this city offered me in just a few days.

City-scapes and views of Lake Michigan:

Now let’s get down there and check it all out.

Business and finance:

Museums and parks:

Then I toured the museums:

The Chicago Cultural Center exhibited Theo Jansen’s “Strandbeests.” Incredible works of artistic engineering that attendees were allowed to test drive:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbuLoaOriXY?rel=0&w=640&h=360]

How about another video of artistic exhibition? Outside were these guys:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXL1fS_ME28?rel=0&w=640&h=360]

Chicago neighborhoods–Chinatown:

In Old Town neighborhood I checked out a Second City performance:

Speaking of actors:

And speaking of Fairy Tales…

My final night in Chicago, I went to see one of the best underground acts in town. In fact, they were at the Underground Wonder Bar:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5j6TYyTlXs?rel=0&w=640&h=360]

And for my final morning, I went back to that incredible church mentioned above. It was Easter morning.

It was well worth the wait.

The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago formed in February, 1871

Those pipes blared soul-stirring chords while the chorus echoed out with their own pipes. Meanwhile, a brass band shone overhead in another balcony. What a service! And I was pleasantly surprised they sang the very same Easter hymns I did growing up in my Lutheran church in Blackduck, MN.

But I wasn’t in Blackduck anymore…

Nope, it was Chicago.

This service re-energized me for the long ride home following this rich, cultured weekend in this wonderful city.