Confessions of a Former Drag Queen: 5 mile walk in Chicago

This morning I was lucky enough to speak to a group of lawyers in Chicago. Which means yesterday I flew to Chicago, of course. I wanted to get my five mile walk in this morning, because this particular group tends to go on and on well past the scheduled declared end of the day.

As such, I got up early and headed out.

I stood in this (relatively) open space, waiting for my Garmin to align with the satellites. Cool sculpture, huh?

I walked towards the Lake. Within short order, I came across the Art Institute. I saw my first Picasso in this museum. Mad and I toured this museum the first time she came to Chicago with me for this meeting.

A close up of the lion. You're welcome.

I came across a mini-golf course as I continued towards the lake. . .

As I came to the path by the lake, I came across this Mile Marker with a timer. I'm not sure what this race was about, but it was a nice morning for a run. Breezy and a bit cool. I was grateful once again for my Runderwear!

I was stunned, absolutely STUNNED I tell you, when I came across this tree. It looks like a giant Bleeding Heart bush, but it's a TREE!! Of COURSE I went up to examine it more closely. And yeah, Mad and M, I did pop one of them. I certainly hope that isn't a crime here. . .

There's something about the way these buoys are arranged that just made it feel like a dare! I felt an urge to jump into the water and swim down the lane to the end. Of course, in my head I was swimming a beautiful, nicely coordinating crawl stroke, complete with coordinated breathing. Which wouldn't actually happen. I kept walking.

Boats in the harbor. Pretty.

It's a good thing I overcame my urge to jump in the lake. Apparently, swimming is prohibited.

So, apparently, is diving.

Mad and I once took a 'lake taxi' from here to Navy Pier. It was much choppier, then. I thought this was a pretty scene.

I walked all the way down to the Aquarium. Perhaps Mad and I will make it there this time.

There is apparently a "Real Pirates" exhibit at the Field Museum. At least, I THINK this is the Field Museum. . .

This is as I was walking back towards the hotel. I like the color contrast. . .

Chicago is full of tulips this time of year.

The sea of tulips last year is what inspired me to plant tulips in my Tiger Lily bed.

This is in Millennium Park. Pretty, huh?

The Sears Tower. As viewed from the Lake.

This pic taken from a short pier on the other side of the Park. See how far away this is from the Aquarium? Did I mention I needed to do 5 miles today?