Sometimes only an 'American' word will do. Awesome. This is an awesome journey. Deserving of the descriptor, 'one of the great rail journeys of the world'. On the Californian Zephyr from Chicago, we left Illinois and passed through 5 other states - Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada - before arriving in California. We passed through 95 stations, many of them started as railroad towns, such as Helper which had 'Helper Engines' for the trains. 33 of the stati...

Almost time to leave Chicago. Popped into the Blues Fest these last 2 nights. Thursday night was pretty cool (in the sense of temperature), not unlike an English festival. Ate a Dog (in the Chicago sense, food), and sipped a locally brewed Green Line. Last night I listened to the Queen of Soul, Irma Thomas, singing to what seemed like pretty devoted fans. Nice atmosphere as I ate a BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich, then gently swayed to the music in a white British kinda...

Today had a Frank Lloyd Wright focus. A trip to Oak Park to his home and studio, and to see a church and houses he designed, in the Prairie style. Learnt that he had his own ideas and was confident in them; that he partnered with builders to build working class & middle class homes rather than just upper class; that he drew inspiration from Japan rather than Europe which was the norm at the time; that he was a believer in free love; and that he thought form &...

Today was all about buildings, settlement, growth. Firstly a tour of Near North, by bike, including the old town, gold coast, Lincoln Park, North Avenue Beach, and part of the wonderful 18.5 mile linear park along Lake Michigan. Then an architectural tour on a classic boat, surveying the skyline with an expert commentary. I'm in awe of the civic vision and resolve which rebuilt a city so quickly after a great fire, and built it so ingeniously and for the future....

First impressions of Chicago are very good. It feels like an established city, graceful, beautiful buildings. Was stopped by a photographing skateboarder (because he saw me photographing I imagine), and asked what I thought was the most cool thing to see. I said I'd only been in town for a couple of hours, but I'd head for the Anish Kapoor. I'd just seen it - highly polished steel plates, in the shape of a huge bean, reflecting all around, insightfully called 'Cl...