We did the hop on / hop off bus - 2 hour tour of city. Chicago is on the south end of Lake Michigan - lots of marinas, Yachting Clubs, a Navy Pier (loved the Stain Glass Window Museum - donated by Smith family who started 'collecting' them when they became 'unpopular') and even breaking waves on the beach! Lots of museums and cultural centres; Millennium Park and Grant Park follow the shoreline of the lake. There are several Loop (above and below ground) railways that run around city and out the suburbs; an enormous football stadium (Chicago Bears) and of course (Sears) now Willis Tower.
I didn't know any history of the place - settled by a Frenchman (Indians lived on the swampy land - 'good for nothing'). Three quarters of the 'city' destroyed by fire in 1871. Two giant World Fairs 1893 (to celebrate 'the new city' after the fire and 1933 to celebrate 'a new century' - 'cleaning up after the gangster and gangland decades).
Two of 'our BAXTER boys' emigrated here. We are descended from Johnston BAXTER's first marriage; from his second marriage there were 4 boys. The eldest, William James stayed on the farm in Cooneen, Ireland (Ethel descended from him). The 2nd, John Edward - never married and died in Chicago in 1930. He became very high up in one of the Railway Company's here. The 3rd, George lived on a farm 100 miles from Chicago with his wife and 3 daughters. 4th son, Thompson Preston BAXTER died in Cooneen in 1901 aged 30.
Very cold and windy here this morning - 24 degrees (minus 4 celsius). COLDER weather (storms and snow!) on the way. The weather system is predicted to move north east so we should miss the worst of it by leaving for Denver on the train this afternoon.
Here everyone is very excited (lots of families at breakfast!) as it's the 'Magical Mile Parade and Lighting the Holiday Lights at 5.30 this afternoon. All the Disney characters there. Thursday is Thanksgiving then Christmas preparations after that!
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