Chicago going home 2010

Chicago going home 2010

Chicago going home 2010

Had dinner at Petterino's, attached tothe Goodman Theater, which does 2 different performances. We saw Hephaestus, which was magnificient done. It's a combination of Cirque du Soliel, Barnum N' Bailey and Ringling brothers based on a Greek myth about Hephaestus' life.

Chicago going home 2010

Driving down Lake Shore drive, one notices the Batman building, which was used in the movie.

Chicago going home 2010

Above is the side of Wriggle Field Stadium. We went to the Cubs/Marlins game and I forgot my camera - couldn't believe it. Every time but this one, I also didn't have my camera so this is the only picture I have of Wriggle Stadium. Can you believe that! Sara only lives a few blocks from the stadium.
To the right is Patsy's, a grill in Oldtown Chicago

Chicago going home 2010

Waiting excitedly for the Billy Elliot Show to start

Chicago going home 2010

Twilight scenes from our table

Chicago going home 2010

The aquarium in the lower left - part of Soldier Field, the grassy land. Concerts, the Taste of Chicago and other outside events are held here

Chicago going home 2010

Above on the left is a closeup of the Navy Pier. To the right is Lake Shore Drive, which comes into downtown Chicago following the shoreline. We travel it to get to Sara's condo in Wriggleville, a district in Chicago.

Chicago going home 2010

The Navy Pier at twilight and during the day

Chicago going home 2010

Sara took us out for Mother's Day dinner at the John Hancock building. The restaurant is on the 56th floor - has a beautiful view of the city, waterfront from our table. In the the afternoon we saw Billy Elliot at the Ford Theater.

St Louis going home 2010

Now we know where Saint Vincent de Paul had its roots - at this church

St Louis going home 2010

On the left is looking down frm the Arch to a church below, which is at the beginning of the park
On the right is a view of the front of the church

St Louis going home 2010

On the left, Federal Court amid the modern building in downtown St Louis - note the contrast
On the right, a closeup of the courthouse

St Louis going home 2010

In the center is the fellow who design the St Louis Arch and builders on the sides. Below is the whole wallwhich is located in the base of the Arch, showing the comparison of the sizes of major structures built in the US and the story of the Arch

St Louis going home 2010

Busch Stadium & the city as seen from the top of the ST Louis Arch

St Louis going home 2010

Two views of the St Louis Arch. The left is Patsy waiting at the beginning of the park for our shuttle driver to pick us up

Fantastic Caverns, Springfield, MO 2010

Did any of you see the episode of CSI that was filmed here?
Tomorrow we are off to Chicago to visit Sara. I cannot post any pictures on my blog while I am at her condo as I can't connect to her computer. It is a work one. I can check my e-mail.
I'll get back to posting pictures May 17th when I move onto St Louis again.

Fantastic Caverns, Springfield, MO 2010

Isn't it amazing? I still love to look at them.

Fantastic Caverns, Springfield, MO 2010

To the left are 2 massive columns. Above are beautiful stalagtites & stalagmites. I could have touched them; they were so close to me - that's a no, no.

Fantastic Caverns, Springfield, MO 2010

This cave was discovered well before the Civil War. Mr Knott was hunting & his dog found the cavern. He advertized for explorers to document what was inside. Below are the names of the 1st explorers, who were 12 women. Can you believe that!!! He didn't tell anyone during the Civil War for fear that it would be used by either the Red Coats or Blue Coats & be destroyed.
It was opened after the war but didn't come to popularity until Prohibition. The Cavern was used as a Speakeasy. To the left is the stage where people performed.

Fantastic Caverns, Springfield, MO 2010

Patsy enjoying the ride while having a cup of coffee. You can see what we road in.

Fantastic Caverns, Springfield, MO 2010

look at all the detail on the stalagtites, stalagmites, columns & draperies formed by the drippings off the ceiling

Fantastic Caverns, Springfield, MO 2010

Above is one of the caverns we drove into. To the left are a stalagtite forming - you can see the folds of the draperies.

Fantastic Caverns, Springfield, MO 2010

This morning we stopped at the Fantastic Caverns just 10 miles outside Springfield, MO as we headed to St Louis. If this were the 1st cavern I had seen, I would have thought that it was great. This time Patsy was right. For us, it was a tourist trap; afterall we saw Carlsbad Caverns, which is the premier of all caverns in the world. To the left is the opening of the cavern. We road around the cavern in a long jeep open wagon. It is 1 of only 4 in the world where you can be transported.

Springfield, MO going home 2010

This is the bedroom & bathroom.
Tomorrow morning we are going to take a tour of the Fantastic Caves just outside Springfield & then set off to St. Louis.