So why is Chicago known as the “windy city”?

It has nothing to do with the weather!  In 1890 bidding took place in the USA for the Columbian Exposition (also known as the World Fair) of 1893.  The “puff and bluster” of the politicians from Chicago (who successfully beat New York City, St Louis and Washington DC) were the cause of the phrase “windy city” although the accolade was allegedly not used until 40 years later in the Chicago Tribune.

There are other similar stories and variations on the story, together with popular myths that the phrase was given to Chicago by The New York Sun editor, Charles Dana, but it appears that this is simply myth.

One of the most ionic non-skycraper buildings in Chicago is the Chicago Tribune Building, seen here from across the river.  I’ll publish more photos from the river in due course.

Well, we have been back home from Chicago for a week, but I still wanted to catch up with the themes and photos that we have to create an experience here.

So, the Willis Tower – formerly known as the Sears Tower – is currently the tallest building in the western hemisphere and (I believe) is the fourth tallest building in the world.  One of the buildings that we kept on taking pictures of was the Trump Tower.  That had been intended to be the tallest building in the world when it was being built, but as 9/11 played out in the States, they decided to keep its profile lower than some of the nearer buildings.  It is a shame as it is a wonderful (if slightly moody) and photogenic (see the Batman film that used it when it was nearly complete) skyscraper.

Anyway, back to the Willis Tower.  As a tourist, we were able to go up to the 103rd floor where the views are spectacular.  AND there are four “ledges” where you can stand in a glass “cubicle” with nothing but glass between you and the ground, 103 floors below.  Whilst we were there one of the four of these was out of action due to cracks in the glass.  Did it phase us at all?  You be the judge!

So the next few pictures give an idea of where we were.  Some views after that!

The picture above shows what the glass “shelf” was like – taken from the “shelf” that we were on!

… and straight down 103 floors, with skyscrapers below!

Right, then, what were the views like up here?