Wrigley Field

Today was our baseball day but I had one more thing I really wanted to see right downtown Chicago so we got back on the L for our last trip downtown.

The cultural center has the largest Tiffany glass dome ever created, and I had to see that, it was beautiful.

So was the whole Cultural Center, all marble.

 Then we grabbed the Red Line and headed north to Wrigley Field, what an awesome experience.

 We had great seats, can you see the seats over on the houses across the street, that was one home improvement that probably paid off, later in the game they were pretty full.

 The Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates today 4 to 1

 The best thing was the atmosphere, the park is so old there is no jumbotron, no piped in music and so the park was alive with old time vibes.  The organ was played by an actual person and the crowd was so full of fun with their singing and chanting.  I think it felt better than the old Yankee Stadium.

What a great way to end our stay in Chicago.  Had fun getting home got on a bus that we were pretty certain was ours but it was so packed you could not hear when to get off or where we were.  But heh we made it and are ready to head out in the morning.

Last sightseeing day in Chicago

Another fantastic day in Chicago, but today I wore sun screen.

Started the morning off with a tour, took us through the theater district where even the McDonalds had marquees.

On over to Chinatown for a glimpse and I mean a glimpse, should have probably gotten off and wandered around for some real flavor.

 Next to the sight where Mrs O'Learys cow kicked over the lantern and started the Chicago Fire, it is now a place they train firefighters.

 Next to Little Italy where the most exciting thing was the statue of Joe DiMaggio

 Then we went through Greektown and that was such fun, there was not even anything worth taking a picture of, well that tour might have been a bust. Oh well.

We went past the Art Institute and I got a good picture of the lion, notice his tail did not turn green as everyone touches it for good luck.

 

 Lunch, we wanted to go to the Billy Goat Tavern, this is the fellow that tried to take the goat to the baseball game for a mascot and they would not let him in, so he put a hex on the Cubs and ooops it is doing a good job.

The tavern is in a pretty dark seedy place and when you enter this harsh old man yells, step down, get in line, give'm your order.

 The old ugly guy taking the order says "What you have" you say Cheezborger, he says no Double Cheeze best we have, and yells our Double Cheeze and that is what you are going to get.

 It was good and it was a fun place to visit.

 After lunch we were going to cheap out and not take the river tour but then oh what the heck we are only here once, so Architecture River Cruise here we come.

 It was a really nice relaxing tour and a really good way to see things from a different angle.

 The sun was shinning just right to catch the gold leaf glowing on top of the building that now belongs to the Hard Rock Cafe.

 The Trump building looks pretty awesome looking straight up.

 We went out into Lake Michigan to turn around just before the lock.

 The old Pump house, one of the only two buildings that did not burn down during that big fire.

 Okay Ron is not fussy on heights but he went up the Hancock Tower with me for a 360 degree view of the city, it was spectacular.

 He had lots of trouble looking waaaaay down.

 We did not get to take a bus tour of the north as the Cubbies are playing all three days we are here, so tomorrow we will go take in the game and see Wrigley Field.  The area north looks lovely.

 But I thought the windows were a little dirty so took some time to clean a few on the outside.

 Hard to get a decent picture of Millenium Park but this was a picture on a wall, you can seen the bean and the amphitheater.

 Now I thought we should ride over to Navy Pier but Ron says it looks close, well my dogs were a little sore in my sandals by the time we got there.  It being Saturday the Pier was full but we had a good time looking around and listened for a short time to a band playing at the far end.

Friday the city was busy but today the city was crazy, just so many people.  The L coming home was jam packed full but we had a good day and look forward to the baseball game tomorrow.

Chicago Day 1

Thought we would use day one to get orientated with the city but just that seemed like it was going to take more than a day.

Our first tour was of the south part of the city into the neighbor hood of Hyde Park, where the wealthy such as President Obama lives.,this is not his house, his is to protected by military officials.

This tour takes you to the site of the first world fair where the only building left standing is the Museum of Science and Technology.

 Ron in front of our transportation for the morning

 Back to Millenium Park where all the tours depart from, here Ron stands with about 30 tanookis.

 First impression of Chicago, skyscrapers, lots of parks and very clean.

 Architecture seems to be big on their minds, look at these they look like ears of corn.

 The Chicago Black Hawks are on everyones minds, they say only 5 wins from the Stanley Cup. LOL. This flag was flying down on Navy Pier.

 The Chicago River

 The Wrigley Building, yes known for its gum and yes Curtis we booked a ball game at Wrigley Field for Sunday.

 The famous Bean down in Millenium Park

 Amazing to see so much park with those skyscrapers, such a contrast.

 After two tours we thought it was time for a walk, so headed for the Blues Festival that is on in the Park.

 Tons of people as it is all free, lots of different performers all over the park, and the music was great.

 Over to the Buckingham Fountain.

 Down to walk the path by Lake Michigan

 We walked all the way down to the Museum of Natural History to get a picture

 of the dinosaur in the Black Hawks jersey.

 Okay Tanya, just for you we went to Giordanos for deep dish pizza

 Here it is, probably the best I have ever tasted.

 On last tour the night tour, even the buildings were displaying their love of the Hawks.

 Chicago was not quite as impressive as New York at night but very pretty but oh so cold, after getting sunburnt this afternoon

Had a little trouble finding the entrance to the subway coming home but made it dragging my butt behind.

Fullersburg Illinois

About 10 years ago Ron and I visited Fullersburg and we could only find one cemetery to find my family but through computer research I was able to find the Fullersburg Cemetery which was just cleaned up in the past three years but then a big fence was put up to protect it.  I had read it was open once a year so was prepared not to be able to see much.  When we drove up to the cemetery we saw the small gate was open and so we ventured in.  There were two men in the cemetery and one asked if he could help us as this is a closed cemetery.  I explained that I was related to the Fullers, Thurstons and Fish and he said "Well hello my name is Don Fuller and Jacob Winegar Fuller is my great great great grandfather", Oh my goodness I have just met a long lost relative.  We talked for some time, he was giving the other fellow a personal tour, it was my lucky day.

Jacob and Candace Fuller were the founding family of Fullersburg.

 Don says they having been very busy restoring the cemetery but are afraid of vandalism so that is why the fence, they are hoping to eventually open it up once a month for viewing.

 After the cemetery we went to the old Graue Mill which picture hangs above Moms table in Summerland

 The Mill was build of brick made by Fullers and has lots of Fuller memorabila.

 Just across York street you will find the Benjamin Fuller home.

 Ron and Tanya at the Mill

 Over to the Bronswood Cemetery to find David and Catherine Thurston.

We did not find Elisha Fish and his wife who were the first settlers in York township, the cemetery they were originally buried in is now a shopping plaza and the graves were moved and no names attached.

Tanya flies home tomorrow, we will miss her company and Ron and I will do a three day try at seeing Chicago.