Long Weekend in Chicago
or

So, How Do You Know Louise?

...Continued

Sunday, June 6, 2004
Early Sunday morning -- early for us, that is -- Crow and I walked the block and a half to the West Egg for the best breakfast I've had in ages. We strolled back to the hotel, admired the planter boxes of trees in bloom and hostas of kinds and sizes I'd never seen before. There was one red stone building, of only a few stories, ancient as can be, crowded wall to wall between tall modern buildings. It looked like a brownstone walk up of my childhood in New York. On our next visit I am going to take an architectural tour. (Please don't blame Crow for this photo;it's one of the few I took!)

The modern and the historic side by side.

We started out to walk the six or eight long blocks to Louise's condo, but, once we started hiking up Michigan I realized I wouldn't be able to do it, so we hailed a cab. We arrived earlier than expected, so it was a treat to wait in the Lobby on a comfortably couch on a beautiful sculptured rug:

The Concierge called to us that it was okay to go up -- thirty three floors. The elevator was so fast I had no idea we'd even moved. Ercell Binns, Louise's friend from D.C. and the Outer Banks, met us at the elevator and walked us into a most comfortable warm and well appointed place. Louise then showed us the view from the balcony. That, too, took our breaths away.

That magnificent view from Louise's balcony.
Looking straight down at the glass domed swiming pool.	Clearing for future construction for east development. The Fairmont is one of the closer high rises..

We stayed just long enough to confer with Ercell about her website and then headed back to the Hotel -- this time riding the free bus/shuttle that took us within a half block of the Red Roof In.. Crow went around the corner and bought us lunches to go from the Coco Puzzo, which were perfect. We both napped until it was time to meet others in the lobby to ride to the party together.

It didn't take very long and we arrived at 900 Kingsbury as others were.

We arrived as others were, too.

The Party was being held on the roof of the Domain, a condo conversion of Montgomery Ward's warehouse. . The Chicago Architecture Foundation(CAF) was established in the 60's with the primary purpose of saving H. H. Richardson's Glessner House, down on Prairie Avenue. That accomplished (the house is now an independent house museum), CAF has grown to become world-famous as a source of architectural experiences in Chicago, renowned for its architecture. Louise and many of her friends at the party had been docents for CAF.

We sort of exploded off the elevator, signed in and received our name tags. Following are pictures each of us took as we circulated the room. It was tempting to dance to the music (of my era) being played by a very good combo.

John LaPlante was the "featured" guitar player; he composed the humorous songs to commemorate his role as taking the hit for the Chicago River's "leak" that flooded the entire underground tunnel system of the Loop, about 10 years ago. Louise writes "Those of us who knew John were quite sure the Mayor had, indeed, taken leave of his senses -- but John is probably better off than he would have been staying with the city!" Other "entertainers" were Don Wiberg, a CAF docent and magician (retired teacher), and Maria May in Chicago for a 2-month internship before returning to Harvard for her junior year (daughter of a couple of NC Governor's School students back in the 70's, when Louise was a staff member there, in Winston-Salem, for the summer).

The roof beckoned us and we walked out to the jogging path to enjoy the sun and the view.

Gabe holding the John Hancock byuldung!
	q

 

Happy Birthday, Louise
			After more than two hours Crow and I left and headed back to the hotel, well fed, fantastically entertained-- tired and happy to have been a part of this glorious celebration.

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