Morning at Lake Michigan, Chicago (or, What Part of "Parting Shots" Do I Not Understand?)

There is this little patch of park and beach on Thorndale and Sheridan, in my Chicago neighborhood of Edgewater. I don't go there very much, but whenever I do I wonder why I don't go there more often. This morning, that beach offered me some beautiful views of the Lake, which I took before heading downtown for my last Chicago photo excursion (which means more photos to come). I'm going to spare you the commentary and just offer you these choice photos from my time this morning at the Lake. I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Thorndale Beach, Chicago, IL 

Thorndale Beach, Chicago, IL

Thorndale Beach, Chicago, IL

Thorndale Beach, Chicago, IL

Thorndale Beach, Chicago, IL

Thorndale Beach, Chicago, IL

Thorndale Beach, Chicago, IL

Parting Shots at the Lake

I couldn't resist the pun, given that I was taking photos of Lake Michigan during my last week in Chicago. These were taken yesterday, both at a lakeside park on Granville and Sheridan and at Loyola University's Lakeshore campus. Many of the shadows cast on the water come from nearby buildings. The Lake definitely helps to make Chicago a humid place during the summer, much to my annoyance, but it is also a beautiful sight to see, especially on crisp, clear days in autumn, when cool refreshing winds blow in. I also like to see the choppy waves crash in during more tumultuous weather. It's like the Lake possesses a variety of moods, each so different from the others. At any rate, enjoy!

Saying Goodbye to Chicago, Part Three: Architectural Details, Vol. 1

One of Chicago's greatest assets is its diverse array of architectural styles meshed together to create a unique urban landscape. These multiple layers of architectural styles weave together a rich and complex tapestry. The fact that each of these styles was prominent during a certain period in the city's history engenders a sense of organic evolution that can be readily detected when observing Chicago's cityscape. Below are architectural details from several buildings in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood. I regret that I didn't spend enough time learning about so many of Chicago's beautiful buildings. Still, that has never stopped me from appreciating them.

Art deco entrance to 1062 Bryn Mawr Building, now a mixed use complex.

Art deco architectural detail, 1062 Bryn Mawr Building.

Art deco reliefs, 1062 Bryn Mawr Building.

Close-up of art deco relief, 1062 Bryn Mawr.

1053 Bryn Mawr, just across from the 1062 Building. Very 1950s.

Very Medieval-esque!

The pink building behind the castle is the old Edgewater Beach Hotel. There used to be two of them, side by side, but one was demolished. 

Neo-classical detail.