I rode the Metra into Chicago with the goal of visiting the Art Institute of Chicago. My purpose in going there was to see Grant Wood’s famous work, American Gothic. It is one of my two favorite American paintings.
I allowed enough time to go to one of the three Wow Bao restaurants before taking in the masterpiece. The specialtyof Wow Bao is Chinese steamed bao buns. I ate there when I visited Chicago in November of 2007.
Happily, the place is still in business. I ate a pork bao and a coconut custard bao, same as last time. Both were delicious. (This is reading like a Twitter tweet.)
Still having some time, I walked over to the Chicago River and watched the boats pass. I am looking forward to my next boat tour.
The Field Museum currently has a pirate exhibit. I saw several pirate figures spread around downtown Chicago.
I arrived at the museum promptly at five o’clock. My visit was so timed because during the summers there is no admission charge on Thursdays and Fridays between five and nine.
My expectation was that I would walk in and be one of a very select number of people wandering through deserted halls. To my amazement, the line to get in extended for half a block. Who would have thought so many people would want to be cultured?
Fortunately printed guides to the museum are provided, for the place is gigantic. I was able to go directly to my target and look at it as long as I desired. That’s the most fun I’ve had looking at art since I visited the National Gallery in Washington.
I was happy to find several works by Winslow Homer on display. That was an added bonus.
I spent more time at the museum than I had thought I would. I went home happy.
