Rivers – RDZ Photography

Chicago – October 2018 – Open House Part 1

Architecture, Art, History, Nature, Transportation

Our Chicago Open House weekend started on Friday, before the official event started on Saturday. We made our own tour of places that were open.

James Thompson Center – Designed by Helmut Jahn, the Thompson Center is a 17 story curved glass building housing many government offices. From the interior all 17 floors are visible in the impressive atrium.

On the plaza in front of the building is a sculpture from Jean Dubffet called Monument with Standing Beast. Standing at 29’ high, the sculpture weighs in at 20,000 pounds.

Cook County Office Building – A classical 12 story office building located in the government section of downtown Chicago, to me it is most famous for where the Blues Brotthers went to pay the property tax for the childrens home (and yes the Cook County Assessors office is located in this building).

The building has the classic Art Deco look on the interior.

Chicago Temple – The First United Methodist Church of Chicago was the first church to be founded in the city, even before it was a city, in 1831. In 1838 it moved to it’s current location at the corner of Washington and Clark.

In the early 1920s with downtown Chicago rapidly developing the church debated selling their valuable land and moving out to one of the neighborhoods. Eventually they decided on a novel approach, build a skyscraper with a church included, and in addition, put a chapel on the top. The result was a 568’ tall building with what is to this day the highest church from street level in the world.

The first level has a traditional church.

Known as the Sky Chapel, it was part of the original building but not fully completed until 1952 as a gift from the family of the Walgreen’s Drug Store founder.

To this day the church is self funded by the rents paid by other tenants in the building, allowing it to fully focus on serving the diverse community it serves.

Outside is some unique art.

Marshall Field’s (Macy’s) Tiffany Dome – With over 1.6 million pieces it is the largest Tiffany mosaic in existence. Designed by Louis Tiffany in 1907, over 50 artisans worked on scaffolding for 18 months to complete this amazing masterpiece.

The Pedway hosts a collection of stained glass.

Some general scenes around the city.

A tourist boat on the Chicago River.

One of the lift bridge control buildings frame by a 60 floor building.

Classic Chicago – The Merchandise Mart with a Brown Line El train coming in.

Old street light and new skyscrapers.

Up Wells Street from the 10th floor of a parking garage.

A building along Madison Street.

Millennium Park

Cloud Gate is a public sculpture located in Millennium Park. While the artists inspiration was liquir mercury, it is commonly referred to as The Bean. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

The buildings along East Randolph Street.

Pritzker Pavilion – A Frank Gehry design, the pavilion is a band shell that hosts numerous events each year. For this mid October night it was quiet, but still stunning with it’s red lighting.

Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest museums in the United States. From this part of the park, you get a great view of one of the modern additions along with the Michigan Avenue skyline.

tomorrow the official events starts.

Chicago – October 2018 – Open House Part 2

Architecture, Art, History, Nature, Transportation

Open House Chicago continue…

The North Leg of the Chicago River toward Chicago Avenue – clearly we are in … Chicago.

151 North Franklin – a new, nondescript building saved by a great rooftop deck.

Some strange lighting on a nearby building.

180 North LaSalle – it was billed as Open House, but really just a lobby was open.

Another (brief) revisit – The Builders Building. But this skylight is worth it.

20 West Kinzie – Originally a Google Building it is now home to a flexible work space group called We Works.

Their 17th floor common space offered some different aspects on some iconic buildings.

They too have a nice outdoor space on the 17th floor.

Just up the street in a 100 year old warehouse is the architectural firm of Ross Barney.

330 North Wabash – Miles van der Rohe designed this basic, yet famed 695’ high skyscraper.

The minimalist, but stylish lobby.

Originally built for IBM and completed after Rohe’s death in 1969, the Open House Chicago event was held on the 15^th floor in the offices of Thornton Tomasetti.

This firm is a leader in engineering design, focusing on mechanical engineering of many famed skyscrapers around the world.

Our final stop of the day – the John Hancock Observation Deck. Definitely not part of Open House Chicago, but worth the visit on this partly cloudy day.

We arrived about an hour before sunset and barely made it up in time, but we did!

Enjoy sunset and night time in Chicago.

continued….

Chicago – October 2018 – Open House Part 5

Architecture, Art, History, Nature, Transportation

Chicago Open House weekend concludes ….

Another ‘non official’ stop – The Chicago Athletic Club

For 122 years it was a private club.

That has recently been opened as a boutique hotel.

The lower two floors are public space that we were welcome to tour – as long as we didn’t take photos with the SLR cameras.

But fortunately iPhones take decent photos, including the classic bar.

The game room retains that feel of a private club.

As well as the lobby.

Interestingly the Chicago Cubs ‘borrowed’ the Athletic Club’s logo in the 1880s.

Chicago Cultural Center

Built in 1893 as the Central Library it has housed the Cultural Center since the 1970s.

Entrance to the stairway from the Preston Bradley Hall.

Another view of the Hall with a glimpse of the highlight.

A 38′ Tiffany Dome – many claim this to be the largest in the world.

The dome and light are stunning.

Directly across the street is Millennium Park.

333 North Michigan Avenue

The Eastlake Studio on the 26th floor was open – featuring a terrace with great views.

A perfect spot for checking out the iconic Wrigley Building.

The Jewelers Building, with a large collection of details at the top (when this building was built who did they think would be able to see these 400′ up — but they are impressive from this vantage point.)

A close up of the Wrigley Building clock.

A view across the river to a terrace on Chicago’s second tallest building that will remain nameless.

A mix of old and new (with reflections of old).

One of the reliefs in 333 North Michigan Avenue.

Another nearby vintage skyscraper’s upper detail.

Everybody was taking photos.

For a nice Sunday afternoon the tourists boats were empty – everyone was attending the Open House Chicago events.

Up Michigan Avenue and the Hancock Tower with the Lincoln Park Beach in the background.

Back on the street we passed the Jewelers Building, with this great clock.

A repeat visit from last year is 150 North Riverside, and the view from the 27th floor. Interestingly they had the north end of the empty floor blocked, which was disappointing as this had the best views, but there were still some great shots.

The area to the immediate west and north of the loop is experiencing a building boom.

The view south down the river.

Further south (zoomed all the way in on a slightly hazy day) are El Rail Yards and Comiskey Park (or whatever it is called now).

The top floors of the Civic Opera Building.

Always one of my favorite’s the Merchandise Mart.

Notice how the reflection of the El Tracks makes it appear they go through the building.

Back down on the ground – a view from the Lake Street Bridge north.

The older section of the LondonHouse Hotel.

300 East Randolph Street – with an open elevator shaft.

This building was originally a 30 floor building, but in 2007-2010 they added another 24 floors. For Open House Chicago the 30th floor was open.

The views were different than all other we had seen all weekend – south towards the parks and South Michigan Avenue.

It was an amazing view.

With a bit of zoom, the Field Museum and Soldier Field.

More 30th floor zooming – across Northerly Island towards Hyde Park and the University of Chicago.

The Adler Planetarium.

BKL Architects had a model of their neighborhood.

As well as an overview of downtown.

The Lake Shore East neighborhood is another that has had substantial residential growth.

The view from the Columbus Avenue Bridge up the river.

We ended at the Navy Pier for some night time shots

As Elwood said to Jake in the Blues Brothers ‘look it’s the Picasso’

One final view for a spectacular weekend – The Chicago Board of Trade at night.

Pittsburgh – October 2018 – More Architecture

Architecture, Art, History, Nature, Sports, Transportation

Having spent the weekend in the city for Doors Open Pittsburgh, we had additional time to check out the sights that weren’t officially part of the tour.

The Armstrong Tunnel. Built in 1927, there are longer tunnels in Pittsburgh, but none have a curve in them like the Armstrong.

There is great debate as to why the tunnels have a curve.

South Side Slopes – An old church, an old bridge and new condo’s.

The Warner – it was once a theater, then a food court, now a welfare office. But the sign is cool, with one of the newer skyscrapers as a backdrop.

The famed Kaufmann’s clock – the store has been closed for some time now, but appears to be getting new life soon.

Some classic cornices.

A streetlight, the US Steel (aka UPMC) building with interesting lighting after a thunderstorm.

Even the smaller old buildings on Liberty Avenue have excellent detail up high.

From Mt Washington the view of the Cathedral of Learning at Pitt looks quite small. In reality it is 500′ high, but partially hidden behind the hill.

Another vintage downtown building.

Not to be outdone by Kaufmann’s, Gimbels had a cool clock too.

Heinz Field just after a University of Pittsburgh game ended.

Carnegie Science Center on the north side with one of the subway trains in the background.

A view from Mt Washington through downtown buildings up the Allegheny River.

It has been almost 40 years since Station Square restored the old rail station and yards and it is still going strong.

Sun setting on the Mon.

Replica Christopher Columbus ships have been making their way up the Ohio River all summer, and are now in Pittsburgh – as this panorama shows the Nina and Pinta.

Four Gateway Center.

Gateway Center with a purple fountain. (must have been Raven’s fans sneaking the water coloring in).

The 1764 Ft Pitt Blockhouse, the 1960 Ft Pitt Bridge and Mount Washington in the background.

A major rowing competition was occurring on this early Sunday morning as the first of the boat tailgaters were arriving for a Steelers game.

An amazing wildlife photo from the Allegeheny River.

The Point Fountain from a different perspective with the apartments on Mt Washington in the background.

The very cool Duquesne Incline.

Along the Mon Wharf.

The Gateway Clipper crews getting ready for that Steelers crowd.

Pittsburgh is the city of bridges.

Finally a shot of PPG Place with one of the more architecturally interesting parking garages.

Columbus – September 2018 – Water Lantern Festival

Festival, Nature, Sciences

The Scioto River in downtown Columbus was the scene of a ‘Water Lantern Festival’. This festival’s goal is to celebrate life and inspire the human spirit (in a non religious way)

We arrived as the sunset was just beginning to set, which was a treat in and of itself.

There were lots of people sitting in the promenade writing personal messages on their lanterns.

People from all walks of life were participating.

Each had purchased a lantern and a kit to decorate them, along with the candle.

Some were kind enough to share their messages with me.

We crossed the river as is continued to get dark for a view with the buildings as the background.

The Town Street Bridge with it’s subtle lighting.

The view of the crowd and buildings was magnificent, but we quickly realized the city lights reflecting in the river made it impossible to really pick out the lanterns as the first ones were launched.

So we returned back across the river and watch the participants bring their lanterns to the shore.

It was also apparent that most were being pushed along the wall.

We made our way to the river’s edge where they were being launched.

It was a beautiful scene,

Some families sent theirs out in groups.

Many had message dedicated to people who had passed away, but some were just wishing others, and the world, good will.

The view from the river level was really cool.

A large crowd gathered on the Broad Street Bridge to watch.

The event was to take place a few weeks ago, but that entire weekend it poured rain. This evening was perfect weather.

From above the wall you can see the candles in each lantern.

The view from the Town Street Bridge (and with a good zoom) showed the line down the hill, and the previously launched ones.

The lanterns with lights from a nearby building reflecting in the water.

It was a peaceful scene, with the music and people enjoying their lanterns with messages of hope or tribute.

A great ending to a busy Saturday.

New York City – September 2018 – Roosevelt Island

Architecture, History, Nature, Transportation

Roosevelt Island is a long narrow island in the East River, between Manhattan and Queens. For much of the history of the island it was used for hospitals, earning the name Welfare Island

In 1976 the Roosevelt Island Tramway was built, connecting the island to Manhattan next to the 59th Street (Queensboro) Bridge.

Our ride to the island at 6 PM was packed with tourists and commuters. The island is now home to over 10,000 people, many of which use the tram for their daily commute.

Once on the island we headed south under the bridge.

The Smallpox Hospital was opened in 1856 and abandoned in the 1950s. The building remains as a reminder of what Roosevelt Island used to be like.

At the southern tip of the island is Four Freedoms Park, dedicated to FDR.

Looking south along the East River towards the Williamsburg Bridge.

The Long Island City/Hunters Point area in Queens has had substantial growth.

The apartment buildings in Queens have great views of Manhattan, as well as the iconic Pepsi sign.

The UN Building. The reason we were on the island is access was restricted to the UN Building area because of ‘UN Week’, so we opted to go to Roosevelt Island instead.

Returning back to the tram station provided different views of the bridge.

Roosevelt Island is a popular destination when ‘Manhattanhenge’ occurs. On this day though, we were nowhere near one of those dates, and it was cloudy.

A look back at Manhattan towards the Chrysler Building.

At just the right angle it appears as though the tram is running underneath the bridge.

The return ride was far less crowded.

With the sun setting the lights were coming on (although the reflection in the tram windows made it tough).

One final look back at Roosevelt Island.

And the squeeze between the buildings and the bridge into the Manhattan side.

FDR Drive goes under some of the buildings.

Arrival at the station.

The southbound tail lights on 1st Avenue. Roosevelt Island is worth the visit, take the tram!

September 2018 – Auf Wiedersehen to the Audi

Architecture, Art, Festival, History, Nature, Sports, Transportation

Over the last couple of years the cars have become frequent subjects in my photos. After 4 years of loyal service, and fantastic adventures, the Audi S5 was traded in.

This posting highlights the Audi’s trips it took us on.

First trip was to Western Ohio – and a giant fiberglass bull.

Most of the time the birthplace of Presidents are honored locales, but not for Rutherford B Hayes – his is a BP station in Delaware, Ohio.

A covered bridge in Fairfield County, Ohio – The car was not allowed to cross it, but we were.

Utopia has been found (along the Ohio River).

The settling of America – on the right is a famed S bridge of the original National Road. Overhead is US Route 40 – the main route west from the 1910s through the 1960s. A 1/2 mile to the left (not shown) is Interstate 70.

A riverboat in Cincinnati.

867 feet above the Audi the New River Gorge Bridge. They offer tours where they connect you to the beams underneath and you cross – I passed.

Polo anyone. 3 horses in the field and 340 under the hood.

After Utopia, come Paradise – in the Northern Peninsula of Michigan. I find it ironic that somewhere that gets 200 inches of snow a year is considered Paradise…

The Audi is not on a runway – it is an abandoned air force base in Michigan – with some random Jets parked around town.

Welcome to Minnesota doncha ya know.

Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area Montana/Wyoming.

Yellowstone. That is not the radiator overheating 🙂

One of the funniest moments in our travels was the day we ran into a cattle drive on a road in Idaho – this cow spent 5 minutes licking the bugs off the front of the Audi.

We drove 9 miles out a dirt road at the Golden Spike National Historic Site (where the transcontinental railroad met in the 1800s). Wondering who was dumb enough take an Audi out this dirt road, until a Tesla pulled up.

Devils Rocks Utah

Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The hotel was filled with a Corvette Club and us.

Bonjour from Paris – Texas

We went down to the Crossroads….Clarksdale, Mississippi.

We have seen Utopia and Paradise, and now the Center of the World

The original Model T factory in Detroit. They let my German car go along with all the classic American cars on the Woodward Dream Cruise all the way through the city to the burbs where the other 100,000 cool cars were cruising.

Plymouth, Massachusetts – National Monument to the Fore Fathers.

The Marine Atlantic Ferry to Newfoundland. A 600 car ferry and a 18 hour ride!

Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Canada

The Audi and a large basket – but there are larger basket buildings in Ohio.

The historic Cincinnati Observatory and the Audi.

Watkins Glen Race Track. They were having club racing with little Mazdas, etc – if I had the safety equipment to go on the track I could’ve taken them – I think.