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11/22/2009

Walking the lakefront

Chicago is a very special place. It's a big city, with a big playground immediately to its East. And that big playground, always bustling on sunny days during the summer, looks lonely and austere on sunny days in November.

The lakefront, as it is referred to by the locals, is dotted with harbors from north to south. During the sunny days of summer, these harbors are filled with pleasure craft of all shapes and sizes. But in November, all you see are empty yacht clubs and ghostly views of 'downtown' in the hazy distance.


Cold benches sit on stone quays with nothing sitting on them but shadows.


Rails and fences and retaining wall bolts wait for the coming coating of ice and snow.


Oh, and did I mention I had lunch with this lovely lady and drove her to the airport in the early evening? Well, I did - and I did. Mishi, Secret Agent Mama was in town for work. While she worked I photographed. And then I took her to the airport. Because she's my friend.



Ndinombethe.

17 comments:

Kelley @ magnetoboldtoo said...

*sulk*

How come EVERYONE gets to meet you and give you a hug?

I wanna give you a hug dammit!

When are you coming to Australia?

Shadow said...

lonely and austere maybe, yet still it has beauty...

Carrie said...

Hey Lceel Youve been nominated for a blogger award check it out http://blondemafia77.blogspot.com/2009/11/blogger-award.html
-Carrie

Pauline said...

You are a good friend, Lou. Glad you guys got to meet up.

Nicole said...

Oh, you DO live in (near) an awesome place!
And uh, you get to meet great people it seems :D

Heather said...

MISHI!!!!!!

I'm sorry you've been sick, my friend :( Hope you are feeling better soon!

Expat No. 3699 said...

Nice pics and I love how you described our city.

Melisa Wells said...

Great pics. Wish I could've met with you guys; I told Mishi to give me a day or two's notice next time! :)

Loraine said...

You're a good friend to have, Lou.

Joyce-Anne said...

I have to get myself to Chicago for one of your grand tours!

Hockeyman said...

I would like to have lunch with you and Mishi!

Unknown said...

Kelly: You are SO awesome - are you sure you want to get that close to me?

Shadow: Yes - it is starkly beautiful, is it not?

Carrie: I'll check that out.

Pauline: I'm glad too.

Nicole: Yes, I get to meet some really great people.

Heather: I am feeling better - thanks.

Employee: It IS a great city, ain't it?

Melisa with one S: The would have been nice.

Loraine: I try to be.

Joyce-Anne: Anytime.

Hockeyman: I'd like that, too.

Unknown said...

Aren't good friends the best : ) I am glad you could shoot around and then go out to dinner! That is always wonderful!

Perplexio said...

I used to work at Cedar Point Amusement Park. As such I had access to the park after it was closed, before it was opened, and on weekdays in the fall (when the park was only open on weekends). I wish I'd had a good camera at the time because there were so many opportunities for great photos when the park was empty. It also had a rather ghostly ambience that I found quite comforting/soothing.

Cathy said...

Chicago would be an awesome place to photograph--love walking along the lakeshore

Karen MEG said...

Oh I'm missing Chicago all over again - great that you were able to hang out with Mishi, and what a wonderful gentleman you continue to be...you're something special, Lou :)

Mrs4444 said...

I really enjoyed this post; the one in which you write about what isn't there :)

Batten the hatches---it'll be blowing and freezing soon...