Chicago: Day 2

Started the day off getting in line at the Chicago Architectural Foundation store to get tickets for the Architecture Walking Tour of the Loop. I was particularly struck by the diversity we continue to encounter in this city both with tourist and residents.  In a line of 15 people I heard four different languages being spoken. The CAF has an impressive model of downtown Chicago. The tour covered the time between the fire of 1871 and WWII. It was incredible to see the innovation in man's desire to reach to the sky. After the tour, we ate at Castle and Elephant at the recommendation of Nick Peters. Exhausted from the tour and walking around the loop, we sunk into a rear table at the restaurant and were treated to a true local's favorite.
After lunch, we ascended the Sears/Willis Tower in what can simply be described as a feeling of endless freedom. Gazing for miles into the horizon, you can't help but feel inspired at the shear vastness of the city.
Leaving Sears on a euphoric high, we headed over the Art Institute for a whirlwind tour of art covering the past 3000 years. The American collection was quite impressive in both quantity and quality.  I was particularly exicited to see the collection of mid-century modern furniture and several Dali's.
For dinner I treated Johanna to one of the finest restaurants in Chicago - the Chicago Chophouse.  It was an amazing steak dinner!  Afterwards we had drinks at Sable, a trendy bar with an amazing selection of bourbons and whiskey.  We barely made it back to the hotel before we fell asleep exhausted, but eager for another day of Chicago.

The Rookery Lobby

 The city from Sears Tower

E. Hopper - Nighthawks