Smoke

The pictures don’t really show it but our air today is very thick with smoke. It stings the eyes and smells like burnt wood. I went outside and started looking around to see if the building was on fire. Luckily it wasn’t the building but is actually blowing in from Canada’s wildfires!

 

Southside Stroll

 A nice day out yesterday. We decided to walk south and see what we could get in to. We went to Obama’s again but this time the focus was the athletic area. We went in to the full size gym, then walked around to the full size football field and track. All very beautiful and very well done. We walked around the House Music festival on our way to the Stony Island Arts Bank which has been restored and now features a library, gallery, tea room and cocktail bar. Afterwards we enjoyed some time at Promontory Point before heading back in town for the Sunday afternoon concert in the park. (Please note: photos are in reverse order.)

Taste of Chicago

Went to the Taste of  Chicago today to get our free Eli’s cheesecake. Waited in line about 20 minutes. 

It was worth it!

 

Independence Day

 Photos in reverse order. 

On our way back from The People’s Celebration at the Obama Presidential Center we came back through the park to discover a concert going on.

At the Obama Center we went in to the auditorium and enjoyed the music and dancing in the John Lewis Plaza.

At the festival, after the parade, we explored the booths, saw some dancing and a magic show.

The parade started about 20 minutes late but was pretty good with local clubs and businesses, several marching bands, double Dutch, cheerleaders, dancers, politicians and the horseback riders. It didn’t rain till after we got home. I nice day of celebration and community.

Obama Center Again

Went with hubby over to the Obama Presidential center this weekend. Still quite crowded. There was a DJ in the John Lewis Plaza keeping everyone entertained while they waited in lines. This time we were able to get into the section with the forum, meeting rooms, cafe and gift shop. Lots of great art everywhere. Gift shop and cafe had huge lines. We didn’t wait. 

 

Obama Center

I went down to the Obama Presidential Center today, to check out the public library there. It is stunning, with an open plan, two reading rooms and a makers lab. The grounds are fantastic with loads of walking paths, a picnic area, playground, rooftop veg and flower garden, sledding hill. I didn’t have a ticket for the museum. I just wanted to see the library and check out a book. Which I did.