{"id":697,"date":"2008-06-14T13:11:53","date_gmt":"2008-06-14T13:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/viamedia\/2008\/06\/scenes-in-the-city.html"},"modified":"2008-06-14T13:11:53","modified_gmt":"2008-06-14T13:11:53","slug":"scenes-in-the-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/viamedia\/2008\/06\/scenes-in-the-city.html","title":{"rendered":"Scenes in the City"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the years that we have lived here, we have been to Chicago many times, but most of those times have
\n1) been work-related, involving either attendance at RBTE or speaking engagements, and therefore requiring rushing here and there, meeting schedules or driving into Chicago proper from a distance (RBTE is held in a far-west suburb)
\nor
\n2) been in the winter. Cold.
\n\"\"
\n(Daly Plaza, 2003)
\n\u00a0So yesterday was a chance, before things hit full stride this summer, to take a little jaunt over that way – no work, nice weather..relaxing. Except for the drive, which renders the phrase “little jaunt” inaccurate. Because of the lack of direct, fast roads leading from Fort Wayne to practically anywhere, one must do long stretches on state roads, going through towns with stop lights and such.\u00a0 It’s sort of a hassle. WIth a straight, direct highway, it could be a 2.5 hour trip, I think (removing the factor, just for argument’s sake, of Chicago traffic.) Now it’s 3.5.
\nThere was not much of a plan except something for everyone. Field Museum for little boys, shopping for Katie, Lego Store for Joseph, Art Institute for me, hopefully some interesting food for everyone at some point.
\nMission almost accomplished.
\nI really like Chicago so much.\u00a0 The architecture never ceases to interest me and Lake Michigan opens the place up, giving space\u00a0\u00a0when the congestion and noise threatens to overwhelm.\u00a0
\nSome moments:<\/p>\n