Absolute Bus Stop

Knowing that we'll get a lot of visitors downtown during the holiday season, Chicago is pulling out the stops and rolling out the red carpet. Or at least the red chairs. This is the bus stop at State and Madison (also notable as being 0 North/South and 0 East/West, the starting point of our city's grid system). Actually, the chairs are part of a certain vodka company's ad campaign.

Hubbard's Folly

Sometimes I think I'm the only one who ever really reads any of the little historical markers that are sprinkled all over the city. I always seem to find a new one -- even though it has been there for years and years and years. This one is by Wacker and LaSalle. Even though the building is no longer there, good old Gurdon seemed to prove the skeptics wrong. After all, there's a Hubbard Street in Chicago ... but no Skeptics Street ;)

Crouching Tiger

One of the carvings by Foster Beach.

Wipe Out

I always get the tune "Wipe Out" stuck in my head when I see this statue. But, the statue has nothing to do with surfing.

It's real name is Crossing and it is by a sculptor named Hubertus von der Goltz. The title and statue refer to "the delicate balance of commercial and cultural districts that converge along the LaSalle Street corridor".

Neighborhood Welcome Signs

Chicago is often called "A City of Neighborhoods". Some of the neighborhoods - such as Rogers Park, where these photos were taken - even have their own logos and welcome signs.

One of These Days

I've been meaning to take a photo of this escalator for awhile. It is the escalator at the North and Clybourn stop on the CTA Red Line. I swear it is the narrowest escalator in the CTA system. It's barely 24 inches wide. With a bulky winter coat and any packages, you have to stand sideways. You also have to stand single file on it so you feel trapped when there are a lot of people riding the escalator. On the other hand, it's a good motivator for taking the stairs.

The North and Clybourn station is the one right by the new Apple Store in Chicago. So, I'm betting it gets a full makeover, complete with a wider escalator, soon.

LaSalle Street Cattails

Couldn't really find much about the decorative metal and stone sculptures on LaSalle Street. They have an "Autumn" look when the light hits them just right.