After a week in Cape Cod, it could have been time to head home, but, no, it was on to Chicago to meet up with friends from Louisville and visit our son Charlie, who’s been living there a couple of years and working at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
On Thursday, we caught a late flight from Logan to O’Hare, and by the time we got to our hotel and into the bed it was past midnight.
We had to fire up quickly Friday, however, because our friends from Louisville, Bill and Denise, had lined up tickets to the Royals-Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
This was only the second time I was at Wrigley. The first was many years ago, before the stadium had been improved and all home games were played in the daytime.
Let’s get to the photos…
Here we are outside the stadium. From left are Bill, Denise, Charlie, Patty, Charlie’s girlfriend Sabrina and me.I mean to tell you, it is really exciting to attend a game at Wrigley. The fans pour in, and the air is electric. The atmosphere probably had a lot to do with it, but this was the most exciting Royals game I’ve seen since 2015. The game was tied 2-2 going into the top of the 6th, when Salvador Perez hit a scorching line-drive into the left field seats to put the Royals ahead. One out later, Andrew Benintendi followed with a scorcher to right, putting the Royals up by two. There was no doubt about either, and from contact to landing I was yelling my fool head off. The Cubs couldn’t come back, and pretty soon it was victory formation. The Cubs fans began clearing out at the bottom of the seventh, and that electricity had faded everywhere except with the small pockets of Royals fans on hand.On Saturday morning, Charlie had a volleyball game on the Lake Michigan beach. He’s played since he was 12 or 13, and he’s very good. The fact that he’s 6-7 helps. That’s him in the red shorts, waiting for a shot to descend. My job — taken on voluntarily — was to run down the errant balls. That was enough to wear me out.What would a trip to Chicago be without some skyscraper shots? Here’s the Tribune Tower, near the Chicago River. The Chicago Tribune moved out a few years ago, but it remains a stunning structure.Put the Wrigley Building, across the street, in the same category. Fabulous.A building that I have emotional ties to is the Aon Center, formerly the Standard Oil Building, fondly known back then as “Big Stan.” A good friend worked there for a year or two back in the early 1980s, and he took me up to his office one day — way up toward the top. My friend was unhappy in Chicago and came back to Kansas City. He was unhappy here, too — more than that, terribly depressed — and committed suicide on Aug. 3, 1984. Every time I’m in Chicago, “Big Stan” brings back the horror of that day and the ensuing days.Charlie has an apartment in the Pilsen Historic District, a lively neighborhood on the Lower West Side, not far from downtown. In the late 19th century, Pilsen was inhabited by Czech immigrants, who named the district after Pilsen, the fourth largest city in Czechia, that is, the Czech Republic.This is one of many restaurants along 18th Street in Pilsen.Here’s one of my favorite spots in Pilsen, Mikee’s hotdog and hamburger stand, also on 18th Street. While Charlie and I were eating our hotdogs at a table on the sidewalk, this guy came along with two containers of bleach and handed them to the lady running the window. When he sat down at the table next to us, we noticed his cap bore the word Mikee. Charlie surmised it was the owner, and, naturally, I asked. Mikee then posed for this photo. He gave Charlie a primer on how he selects and cooks hotdogs. I couldn’t hear over the traffic, but I can attest that the hotdogs are great, and the hand-cut fries (free with a hotdog or hamburger) are incredible. After Pilsen and a quick trip to the Jewel-Osco grocery, it was on to Union Station to catch the 2:50 p.m. train to KC. The train always sounds romantic, but it does mean tolerating the vagaries of human nature. Patty asked a couple of passengers to put on their masks — it’s required by Amtrak — and they kindly did. One of them, a guy who had gotten drunk in the observation car, came back to the coach car and talked loudly the last hour of the trip. Oh, well, you can’t expect perfection. Great trip…Can’t wait to go back to Chicago.
We hear so much bad about Chicago, but it is magical. Last time we were there we went into the art museum “for an hour” and didn’t come out until it closed. My wife is cheap, and so we walked everywhere which actually added to the mystical nature of the journey. Wonderful pictures. When I was a kid, my Dad would take the train to Chicago and watch a Cubs game every couple of years.
We never fail to go to the Art Institute, John. As you know, they have a phenomenal Impressionist collection. When you go up that main staircase and enter the first gallery, the featured painting, for many years, has been Gustave Caillebotte’s “Rainy Day: Paris,” which the Art Institute describes as “Caillebotte’s frozen poetry of the Parisian bourgeoisie.” It’s my favorite painting; I hope it’s always in that premier spot.
What an honor to be featured in the article Jim, great pictures! That shot of Mikee belongs on the window of their storefront. Glad you all enjoyed your stay, come visit again soon.
I didn’t feature you enough, Sabrina, but you’re right about the photo of Mikee. Maybe Charlie can get it printed at Wallgreens or CVS and give it to him to put on display. I will send it to him. Take care.
My Dad and I took a Minneapolis to Milwaukee to Chicago to KC baseball trip a few years ago. I got access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago Union Station. What a way to wait for the train! Free snacks, comfy chairs and easy early boarding! Made it much easier for him and fun for me. I think the whole Union Station remodeling is finished now there. What a vision. Thanks for the photos.
From our walk-through to the train, it was clear that Chicago’s Union Station is set up completely differently than ours. Theirs is a working train station, with the waiting room and long benches occupying the lobby, with the tracks — many of them — out the main door from the lobby.
Ours, of course, is a visitor attraction center (restaurants, an ice cream stand etc.) and offices (the Post Office, the Election Board and the Chamber of Commerce). The Amtrak station, of course, is at the extreme east end of the station, with a relatively small waiting room. Each station serves its respective purpose, and each is a pleasure to behold and visit.
When I was covering the Johnson County beat for the Olathe newspaper back in 1987, Chicago native Mike Kennedy who was a reporter at the Kansas City Times, was among my competitors and a friend. I’d decided to take a solo vacation to Chicago over the Independence Day weekend, and he advised me about where to stay, what to see and how to get there using public transportation. It was great, enjoying the Taste of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, Museum of Natural History, two Cubs-Giants games at Wrigley and a memorable Fourth of July fireworks display among a meandering sea of 500,000 at Grant Park. Thanks again, Mike.
I remember Mike — I think he’s still in this area — but never got to know him well. He covered the education beat for a few years…I doubt if he’ll see your tribute, but if I run into him, I’ll let him know.
I’m glad to live in Kansas City, but I did love my four years in Chicago, with some amazing memories — from an evening with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention to training with Elizabeth Kubler-Ross at the University of Chicago hospitals as part of my CPE work as a student in the Div School. Nice to know your son is at the Medical Center. Such great photos! Do you take thousands and pick the best to show us, or is your first shot always the winner?
For those not familiar with the lingo, Vern, I’ll note the reference to “Div School” is divinity.
On the photos, the pros always take a bunch of frames and pick the best of the lot. I usually take several, but once in a while just a single frame. That was the case with the photo of “Mikee” of the hotdog stand. I asked him to stand under the sign, and when he moved over I snapped it. I should have asked him to hold on for a couple more frames, but I was lucky.
Guess you missed this action: (from the Rail Passengers Association newsletter. The had meetings in Chicago last week I think):
Shooting Incident at Chicago Union Station
Amtrak police in Chicago this week shot and killed a California man getting off the California Zephyr who had several open warrants – including one accusing him of murder – after he opened fire on officers on Track 30 at Chicago Union Station.
CBS Chicago quoted Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari as saying that California law enforcement notified Amtrak police that the man was headed to Chicago on the train and that he had several pending warrants. Amtrak Police Dept. officers met the train when it pulled in to Union Station. Magliari said the man didn’t surrender and instead tried to flee, injuring an Amtrak employee and then opening fire on the officers.
“I’m sure more facts will emerge in the next few days and weeks to flesh out this story,” said Rail Passengers Association President Jim Mathews, “but one thing is very clear from the outset: Amtrak officers placed themselves yesterday between danger and passengers. Our Association is very grateful for the work the Amtrak Police Dept. does every day to keep our members and the riding public safe, and we hope for a speedy recovery for any Amtrak employee who might have been injured in this incident.”
I sure didn’t know about that. It occurred Tuesday, two days after we departed from Chicago…We were on the Southwest Chief, which runs between Los Angeles and Chicago. The Zephyr runs between Sacramento and Chicago. Like I said above, Chicago’s Union Station is a much more active train station than KC’s, with many tracks. Our train left on Track 18; this incident occurred, like you said, Bill, on Track 30.
The one thing I always notice about boarding the train is nothing is checked by Amtrak; you can carry on whatever you want — a bomb, a gun, a full tube of toothpaste, whatever. It’s incredibly convenient, but I suspect this incident will prompt Amtrak to reconsider…Although how they would afford a screening system I don’t know.
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
Great photos – love that your son has two turntables and a sewing machine.
Damn, Pete, you are incredibly observant! He’s a son after both his mother’s (garment manufacturing) and father’s (Oldies’ fanatic) hearts.
Love it – I am spinning my Lp’s as I type. Kindred spirit…
We hear so much bad about Chicago, but it is magical. Last time we were there we went into the art museum “for an hour” and didn’t come out until it closed. My wife is cheap, and so we walked everywhere which actually added to the mystical nature of the journey. Wonderful pictures. When I was a kid, my Dad would take the train to Chicago and watch a Cubs game every couple of years.
We never fail to go to the Art Institute, John. As you know, they have a phenomenal Impressionist collection. When you go up that main staircase and enter the first gallery, the featured painting, for many years, has been Gustave Caillebotte’s “Rainy Day: Paris,” which the Art Institute describes as “Caillebotte’s frozen poetry of the Parisian bourgeoisie.” It’s my favorite painting; I hope it’s always in that premier spot.
What an honor to be featured in the article Jim, great pictures! That shot of Mikee belongs on the window of their storefront. Glad you all enjoyed your stay, come visit again soon.
I didn’t feature you enough, Sabrina, but you’re right about the photo of Mikee. Maybe Charlie can get it printed at Wallgreens or CVS and give it to him to put on display. I will send it to him. Take care.
My Dad and I took a Minneapolis to Milwaukee to Chicago to KC baseball trip a few years ago. I got access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Chicago Union Station. What a way to wait for the train! Free snacks, comfy chairs and easy early boarding! Made it much easier for him and fun for me. I think the whole Union Station remodeling is finished now there. What a vision. Thanks for the photos.
From our walk-through to the train, it was clear that Chicago’s Union Station is set up completely differently than ours. Theirs is a working train station, with the waiting room and long benches occupying the lobby, with the tracks — many of them — out the main door from the lobby.
Ours, of course, is a visitor attraction center (restaurants, an ice cream stand etc.) and offices (the Post Office, the Election Board and the Chamber of Commerce). The Amtrak station, of course, is at the extreme east end of the station, with a relatively small waiting room. Each station serves its respective purpose, and each is a pleasure to behold and visit.
When I was covering the Johnson County beat for the Olathe newspaper back in 1987, Chicago native Mike Kennedy who was a reporter at the Kansas City Times, was among my competitors and a friend. I’d decided to take a solo vacation to Chicago over the Independence Day weekend, and he advised me about where to stay, what to see and how to get there using public transportation. It was great, enjoying the Taste of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, Museum of Natural History, two Cubs-Giants games at Wrigley and a memorable Fourth of July fireworks display among a meandering sea of 500,000 at Grant Park. Thanks again, Mike.
I remember Mike — I think he’s still in this area — but never got to know him well. He covered the education beat for a few years…I doubt if he’ll see your tribute, but if I run into him, I’ll let him know.
I’m glad to live in Kansas City, but I did love my four years in Chicago, with some amazing memories — from an evening with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention to training with Elizabeth Kubler-Ross at the University of Chicago hospitals as part of my CPE work as a student in the Div School. Nice to know your son is at the Medical Center. Such great photos! Do you take thousands and pick the best to show us, or is your first shot always the winner?
For those not familiar with the lingo, Vern, I’ll note the reference to “Div School” is divinity.
On the photos, the pros always take a bunch of frames and pick the best of the lot. I usually take several, but once in a while just a single frame. That was the case with the photo of “Mikee” of the hotdog stand. I asked him to stand under the sign, and when he moved over I snapped it. I should have asked him to hold on for a couple more frames, but I was lucky.
Guess you missed this action: (from the Rail Passengers Association newsletter. The had meetings in Chicago last week I think):
Shooting Incident at Chicago Union Station
Amtrak police in Chicago this week shot and killed a California man getting off the California Zephyr who had several open warrants – including one accusing him of murder – after he opened fire on officers on Track 30 at Chicago Union Station.
CBS Chicago quoted Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari as saying that California law enforcement notified Amtrak police that the man was headed to Chicago on the train and that he had several pending warrants. Amtrak Police Dept. officers met the train when it pulled in to Union Station. Magliari said the man didn’t surrender and instead tried to flee, injuring an Amtrak employee and then opening fire on the officers.
“I’m sure more facts will emerge in the next few days and weeks to flesh out this story,” said Rail Passengers Association President Jim Mathews, “but one thing is very clear from the outset: Amtrak officers placed themselves yesterday between danger and passengers. Our Association is very grateful for the work the Amtrak Police Dept. does every day to keep our members and the riding public safe, and we hope for a speedy recovery for any Amtrak employee who might have been injured in this incident.”
I sure didn’t know about that. It occurred Tuesday, two days after we departed from Chicago…We were on the Southwest Chief, which runs between Los Angeles and Chicago. The Zephyr runs between Sacramento and Chicago. Like I said above, Chicago’s Union Station is a much more active train station than KC’s, with many tracks. Our train left on Track 18; this incident occurred, like you said, Bill, on Track 30.
The one thing I always notice about boarding the train is nothing is checked by Amtrak; you can carry on whatever you want — a bomb, a gun, a full tube of toothpaste, whatever. It’s incredibly convenient, but I suspect this incident will prompt Amtrak to reconsider…Although how they would afford a screening system I don’t know.
Many Amtrak stations are not staffed. Screening would be difficult and expensive.