The weather was gorgeous this morning so we decided to take a river cruise sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Foundation. We had taken one 6 years ago, but it was a great day to be on the water. We bought tickets for a 1:00 launch and ate lunch at a nearby Corner Cafe. We sat in top of the boat with a great view, and we had an amazingly articulate and knowledgeable guide. We learned that the Chicago River runs in a "Y" and is spanned by 24 moveable "see-saw" bridges. She pointed out buildings too numerous to mention but focused on the different periods from 1871 when the city was rebuilt after the great fire to the present. One interesting fact is that the city changed the course of the river in 1900. At that time the manufacturing companies and the stock yards were pouring waste products into the river which then ended up in Lake Michigan, the source of the city's drinking water. So they dredged the river to make it lower than the lake and had the water flow backwards, much to the chagrin of neighbors downstream. We also learned that Montgomery Ward, an early retailer, worked to keep 26 miles of lakefront accessible to the public. One thing that continues to evolve is the construction of condos and other housing along the river, often rehabing old businesses and warehouses. Another tidbit I found interesting is that Merchandise Mary, an enormous building on the corner of Michigan Avenue and the river, was built in 1931 to be the distribution center for Marshall Field. During the stock crash, it was purchased by Joseph P. Kennedy (JFK's father), who owned it for 50 years and turned it into a commercial center. Tonight was one of the major highlights of the trip - seeing "Hamilton." First we had dinner at the Atwood Cafe, which had now been modernized in black and white, replacing the wood paneling and all the ambiance. But it was still nice.
Then off to see "Hamilton," which was performed at the CIBC Theater near the Art Institute. It was as spectacular as the reviews. Based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury who developed the US banking system, the show chronicled his entire life. The music, and most of the lines, are delivered in a kind of rap/hip hop style. This enabled Miranda to fit what would have been a 4- hour musical into 2-1/2 hours. Totally entertaining and would see it again.
Tomorrow we head home on a midday flight. Another great baseball excursion for the record book.
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