Here it is folks, downtown Chicago as seen from the window of our room on the 26th floor. That structure to the right which looks somewhat like a bowl is Soldier Field (better picture below). It's an amazing structure with Greco-Roman columns that are not so visible these days. It was built in the early 1920's and after a remodel actually seats less people than it used to. That mass of huge buildings directly in front of you is "downtown". That's where I went today. I didn't take a cab like any normal tourist would have, I called for my car...
I took the handy directions I got off Mapquest and was on my way; the wrong way down the street. Once I realized I was not going to find E. 24th Street I turned around and went the other way. I found my turn and loped onto the freeway, too all the appropriate ramps and found myself looking down at the freeway I should have been on. No worries I just hopped off and headed north, found the street I should have exited on and continued bravely on my way.
The County Records office is located at 118 N. Clark Street. I found N. Clark Street and deftly zipped into the left lane so I could turn...onto a one way street going the wrong way? No. I was proud of myself for finding it at all! I went two blocks over and made a quick right, knowing I would find another one way street taking me back to Clark. I was in the wrong lane again.
After two passes and seeing nowhere to park, not knowing exactly which block it was on, I started heading south hoping I could find my hotel again. At some point I saw S. Clark and so I tured around and thought I could sneak up on it that way. No luck. I finally turned around again and found the hotel without too much problem. Where is the GPS when I need it? Packed up in the hotel room, of course. I told the friendly valet at the hotel if I called for my car again to remind me I don't really want to drive in Chicago!
Amidst the lunch time crowds of people walking, taxi's honking, road work and a maze of one way streets I have decided to try again tomorrow but I will pay for a cab. They seem to know where they are going! I am hoping to get a bit of genealogy done in this area so wish me luck!
The County Records office is located at 118 N. Clark Street. I found N. Clark Street and deftly zipped into the left lane so I could turn...onto a one way street going the wrong way? No. I was proud of myself for finding it at all! I went two blocks over and made a quick right, knowing I would find another one way street taking me back to Clark. I was in the wrong lane again.
After two passes and seeing nowhere to park, not knowing exactly which block it was on, I started heading south hoping I could find my hotel again. At some point I saw S. Clark and so I tured around and thought I could sneak up on it that way. No luck. I finally turned around again and found the hotel without too much problem. Where is the GPS when I need it? Packed up in the hotel room, of course. I told the friendly valet at the hotel if I called for my car again to remind me I don't really want to drive in Chicago!
Amidst the lunch time crowds of people walking, taxi's honking, road work and a maze of one way streets I have decided to try again tomorrow but I will pay for a cab. They seem to know where they are going! I am hoping to get a bit of genealogy done in this area so wish me luck!
2 comments:
Good luck!!! Thanks for the pictures!
Sounds like a wild ride! Are you going to an Oprah show while you're there? It would be fun to come back with some cool stuff, possibly from her 'favorites' show...
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