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The walk back to the hotel (last night), from the buffet dinner and the fireworks display, was one of the most pleasurable I can recall.  Both the American and Horseshoe Falls were illuminated with changing colours, as already portrayed previously.  I found a good spot from which to video the fireworks at 10 pm.  I…

My welcome at the Radisson Falls View Hotel yesterday was warm and exuberant, with the promise of a very good hotel room.  Being me, I was sceptical.  I had already feared that the taxi driver who showed up out of nowhere was going to rip me off.  He didn’t, but I gave him a decent-ish…

I vacated my room 621 with an hour to spare; checkout was at a generous midday.  I had two cardboard bowls of oatmeal, toast, and banana, as well as something that looked like a mini oatcake and (for once) a few nice sauté potatoes. (Memories of breakfast on the train back at home, and very…

There is an hourly No. 40 bus service to Niagara Falls.  But I shall be there tomorrow anyway.  After a “dithering” type of morning, during which my main suitcase fell from its inadequate stand and emptied itself, at least, carefully repacking means less to do tomorrow.  I was more careful with what I had for…

Buffalo, I discover, is an unexpectedly fascinating city with many different architectural styles which I feel compliment each other.  First impressions are rather different to the hustle and bustle of noisy, exciting Chicago!  I was here in 1969 mainly to see the Arcade and Attica Railroad.  The overnight journey from Chicago was an experience.  The…

Ye Gods! That was hard work!  The hotel concierge assured me it was possible to walk to the Chicago Air and Water Show at I believe, Lincoln Park.  I set off along the route I took yesterday to the 360° Tower, continuing eventually walk along Oak Street, which runs along the sandy shores of Lake…

There’s no doubt about it.  Chicago in August is a joyous, noisy, and vibrant city where one feels relatively safe. (I hope I have not spoken too soon!)  I hope in these last 1 and a half days to:-  Take a River Cruise, maybe at night Visit the 360° (former John Hancock Tower) Go to…

13.07 hrs in the Willis Tower. In 1971, I was taken up the John Hancock Tower, which I believe was then Chicago’s highest structure. Now, renamed the 360° Tower, it has become  the fourth highest.  Today, the plan is to go up both!  21.49 hrs in the bar at The Fairmont Millennium Park. I should…

“Mother,” I addressed her some years ago.  “I’m going to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra,” I  told her – slightly tongue in cheek.  “That’s nice, David dear,” she replied, unbelieving and disinterested.  She did query, “Where?”  “Where do you think, Mother?” She looked at me slightly more curiously.  “Why, Chicago, of course!”  She pulled a…

– I can’t exactly say that I woke up this morning!  I did get snatches of sleep and had a few weird dreams!   But when I decided there was no more sleep to be had, I opened my curtains to look across vast flat plains stretching as far as the eye can see. I was…