2017 Great Lakes

Late August found us going on a Great Lakes tour with the Flying Longhorns. After visiting friends in Wisconsin, we took a train to Chicago where we stayed at the Palmer House the night before the tour. Weather was great except for the visit of Harvey back in Rockport. The ship was small as cruise ships go and the crew/wait staff were a highlight. My one take-away from the trip was the similarity in magnitude between the Great Lakes and my native Gulf of Mexico. Their breadth and unpredictable nature are undeniable and inspiring.

Chicago tour, Carbide and Carbon Building

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Chicago tour, Carbide and Carbon Building

from wikipedia: The building was designed by the Burnham Brothers as the regional office of Union Carbide and Carbon Co.. It was designated a Chicago Landmark on May 9, 1996. It was transformed into the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago from 2001-2004. The $106 million conversion was directed by Lucien Lagrange & Associates. The hotel began hosting guests on January 1, 2004 and after its bar and restaurant were completed, it celebrated its grand opening on April 21, 2004, The current hotel capacity is 383 guest rooms and 13 suites. The Hard Rock Hotel is set to close on December 1, 2017, and will reopen in 2018 as the St. Jane Chicago Hotel, named for Nobel Peace Prize-winner and noted Chicagoan, social activist Jane Addams.

Richard S. Snyder

2017 Great Lakes