The morning started with me rising around 7ish in the Palmer House, 23rd floor, room 258. A one-bed hotel room that is comfortable though a bit small. The one window looks into a building quite taller, and I am glad not to have to use 23 floors of metal fire escape just outside my window! I hear the subway, which reminds me of a sea surf as it approaches and leaves. I never got a coffee maker for my room, meaning I wrote the blog before breakfast and decaffeinated. Monday (I am writing this Tuesday morning) took not long to write as I will not try to describe paintings and art. But the labyrinthine Chicago Art Institute is one of the most excellent museums I have visited. I was done by 10ish and headed to a Dunkin Donuts for a simple Mid-Western Breakfast (and cheap, too).
I started walking in a direction on Wabash I had not gone before and soon found a small Dunkin Donuts that made their coffee too hot, but I could get an Old Fashion donut there, which was excellent. I ordered an Uber to drive more than six miles to the Industrial Arts Museum and home to U-505. The lovely white car arrived within minutes, and soon, I was enjoying a fast trip along the lake. The view was excellent, and I saw Chicago from the shore.
The museum has been updated and revised since I was there as a kid and is much larger. The underground entrance, hallways, displays, and home of U-505 are all new. The place is a learning center and a magical place for families with kids to learn science and industrial history. School was on, and it was Monday, so the place was not busy. The price, including extra for the U-Boat and 007 James Bond Science show, was still less than what I paid at the Chicago Art Institute! I should have bought a membership, as the 10% off for members would have been close to breaking even by the time I did the giftshop and lunch.
Concerned about how long I could last today, I headed to an early appointment for the U-Boat first. The displays on the way were well done but left out the code-breaking on the British side and the fact that the designs of the code-breaking machines came from Alan Turning. I was impressed when I turned the corner and saw that a whole U-Boat was pointed at me and looked fresh and ready.
When I last visited, U-505 was outside and was rusting. Although I knew the curators had placed it inside a building and repaired the boat (submarines are boats, not ships), it was still impressive to see it. The sides of the U-Boat are opened to allow access, and the first compartment, the floor, was lowered to allow for more comfort, but much of the boat is left intact and appeared to have aged well. They have put in sound and lighting to give a feeling of fighting and being depth-charged in a German WW2 submarine. There were fewer than ten of us, and I was able to take some interesting photos. U-505 is the only surviving version of its type, with three newer models also surviving, but I don’t think any are in as good a shape as this one. An awesome display.
It was lunchtime, and after looking at a few displays, including a giant HO-scale train set that reconstructs some of downtown Chicago and Seattle, I found the kitchen and had a Chicago-style hot dog. Next, I head to the 007 show. This is a collection of cars and gadgets with even some interactive displays. There was one of the sharks, great whites, with a note to touch the screen if you dare. I was ready, but the shark image that suddenly attacked from below and “broke” the glass made me jump back.
The golden gun, the Spectra poison knife shoes, and the tux made me smile. It was always the little things that made Bond movies work for me. The scuba gear from “For Your Eyes Only” made me smile as I remember how fun that movie was (it brought the Bond movies back from the well-deserved oblivion of terrible SciFi attempts). Q got many displays and even some screen time as the show was about the science of 007. The little things that made the show special for me, like James Bond’s JB cufflinks. Many displays showed how technology has reached the same level as the show, including a real working jetpack next to the “Thunderball” movie jetpack. I got Dondrea and Z a few items, and some Christmas presents for others.
I was happy that only my feet hurt today (though I was only at 3,500+ steps) and continued to look at the various science displays. They have a 727 mounted on the second floor, and the wheels come out, and the wings change for landing. Most of the displays come with something that works. With a reconstructed Wright Flyer, the flight display has various simulators for $5 a ride. I passed on that. I did sit in First Class in the 727.
I discovered the transportation displays in the basement hallways, and there was an impressive set of models and displays. While I have put my models away for now, I want to build a few sailing ships, some from wood, but we will see if I can get back to that. There is so much to do and much Python to code!
I watched a movie demonstrating how to mix the same ingredients to make a commercially available lemon cream pie without natural cream or real lemon. It got its point across about food science sometimes going too far. The place is not a corporate takeover of science.
I walked the third level and decided that 3ish was good to get back before rush hour. The museum shop had no detailed books on U-505 or plans, saving me some money. I found a taxi line outside, and the ready taxi guy said he had been waiting for me. He was happy to get some business and return me to the Palmer House. I accepted and soon cruised the lake shore in a yellow taxi, which cost me less than Uber. The lake looked lovely.
I took my goods back to my room, rested, and read for a few minutes. I headed out and towards the lake shore. I walked again for hours, with only stiffness and not pain, and enjoyed the lakeshore and the river walk. I was tempted by street tacos and tiki bars, but the pizza from last night was in the frig in my room. I did a giant loop and found the bean again. The Mexicans were still parading through the streets but with fewer cars. One could easily fall in love with Chicago Downtown on these warm, dry September nights. I decided I would be back soon.
I returned to my hotel, my legs stiff but no pain. I did re-discover that downtown is one story or more higher than the rest of the town. I had to climb stairs from the river to get back to the street level of Downtown. I know that Chicago raised its streets a story or two years ago, so there are streets and tunnels under the usual roads.
I use a microwave and eat my leftover pizza, which is mostly hot. I don’t want to get it too hot because I have no knife and fork, but it is still wonderful. I eat in the executive spaces to not stink up my room. I return to my room, talk to some folks, and then read. Despite 13,000 steps and no coffee except for breakfast, I still get tired. I go to the bar, have a beer, and watch football. I return and still can’t sleep. Jetlag still. I managed to fall asleep at nearly 1AM.
Thanks for reading.
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