Ideas for places to visit in the Midwest
From time to time nearby Scott Airforce Base hosts a fantastic air show showcasing aircraft from early bi-planes to the latest technology fughters. Here, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is an American single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather tactical stealth fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force.
View of the Missouri River from above bluffs. The Missouri River is the longest river in the United States. Rising in the Rocky Mountains of the Eastern Centennial Mountains of Southwestern Montana, the Missouri flows east and south for 2,341 miles before entering the Mississippi River north of St. Louis, Missouri.
The Chicago River has endless opportunities for interesting photographs. You can scroll down and see a few taken from a higher level. Walking the streets around the river, I found that the bridges are places for getting a great perspective of the area.
This photo was taken from the Michigan Avenue bridge looking through a canyon of buildings. The sun setting behind Trump International Hotel & Tower while lighting the row of buildings on the left side of the river. The river disappears under a draw bridge but you can see its path by the buildings that line it.
Click on the photo for a larger version. It is best to see on a large screen.
This is the 1904 “St. Louis” model of the Dorris automobile manufactured by the Saint Louis Motor Carriage Company. The automobile has a wooden body with brass fittings and black leather upholstery and is painted blue. St. Louis was a center of the early American automobile-making industry between 1900 and 1930. The “St. Louis” model symbolizes the economic changes of this period and dramatizes the little known fact that indeed St. Louis played a major role in car manufacturing in the United States.
The “St. Louis” model was the first successful single-cylinder car ever made. It had a gasoline engine, clutch and transmission built as a single unit, the first American car to feature this innovation. The “St. Louis” model was sold to the St. Louis Police Department in time for the 1904 World’s Fair and was one of the world’s first police cars. It became the nucleus of the “Scorching Squad”-St. Louis’s first motorized police traffic unit. In 1900, the “St. Louis” was the first automobile driven from St. Louis to Chicago. John French drove the car 450 miles in 36 hours.
Walking out onto the Navy Pier is a good place to see Chicago’s skyline. In addition it offers visitors a diverse and eclectic variety of things to do throughout it’s facilities. From recreation to relaxation, entertainment to education, everything at Navy Pier celebrates a storied first century and invites guests to join in on the excitement of our second. In addition, you get to enjoy Lake Michigan and the tour boats takeing visitors sightseeing.
Chicago earned the name “Windy City” for a reason and on the cold day I took this photo it earned it’s name. Being out on the pier in the cold wind was a challenge. I could not wait to get back closer to the buildings . Once back closer to shore we worked our way back to the Chicago River where things were a little more pleasent and then back to the hotel.
View of the Chicago River at sunrise. To the left is the Chicago Tribune Building with the colorful lights on top and to the right of the river is the new St. Regis hotel. At 101 stories, the Super Skyscraper is the third tallest in Chicago. In the early morning you can watch the dark buildings lightup floor by floor.
In the background is Lake Michigan and unseen is the Navy Pier. Even on cold days, the sightseeing boats cruise the river and the Riverwalk is always busy.
The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of 156 miles that runs through the city of Chicago, including its center (the Chicago Loop). Though not especially long, the river is notable because it is one of the reasons for Chicago’s geographic importance: the related Chicago Portage is a link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River Basin, and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico.
Click on the photo to enlarge.
Winter days still draw people to Chicago’s Navy Pier.
Completed in 1916, Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s top attractions. Stretching into Lake Michigan, this year-round destination truly comes to life in the summer, with fireworks displays, live music, theatre, and cruises setting sail daily. Come fall and winter, Navy Pier is still hopping, with special events, sights, and activities that span all ages and interests. Here’s just a glimpse of the fun to be had at Navy Pier.
Navy Pier’s Centennial Wheel is an iconic part of the Chicago skyline and a treasured piece of Chicago cultural history. Soaring to heights of nearly 200 feet, the Wheel offers visitors unparalleled, 360-degree views of Chicago and Lake Michigan. No matter the season, the enClosed gondolas provide a comfortable experience and miraculous city views.
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The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of 156 miles that runs through the city of Chicago, including its center.
This is a skyscraper condo-hotel in downtown Chicago, Illinois sits nect to the . This is a 100-story structure, which reaches a height of 1,388 feet (423.2 m) including its spire, its roof topping out at 1,171 feet (357 m). It is next to the main branch of the Chicago River, with a view of the entry to Lake Michigan beyond a series of bridges over the river.
Shaker Village is an historic area in Kentucky. The Pleasant Hill Shakers are recognized for their iconic architecture, skilled craftsmanship and profound spirituality. During a 105-year span, the Pleasant Hill Shakers constructed more than 260 structures on the property. Today, there are 34 surviving buildings, most located along the mile-long gravel turnpike.
In this photo you can see the main street that passes through these buildings and work areas.
Recently I visited an interesting area called Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Kentucky. The village was constructed in the early 19th Century with high degree of craftsmanship. Their simple yet sound methods of building make for beautiful photographs. I recently posted several photos of one of a pair of spiral staircases in their Trustees office and Guesthouse. One photo from above and one on the second floor landing.
However, I particularly like this photo with the light coming in from outside, pouring into the hallway. In the 19th Century the electric candles would have been real candles keeping the hallway somewhat lit. The leading lines draw you into the photos inviting you to rest for a while on the Shaker rocking chairs. Note the pegs on the wall. In the village, the pegs are on every room and hallway each building. In our guest room in this building, there were no closets to hang you clothes. You just found a nearby peg to hang you belongings. I found it very convenient.
Click on the photo from more information. To see the complete set of photos from our “Foot Pack Weekend” click here.
Great Rivers Imaging 