A Clickin' Good Time

Signed up a month or so ago for the Chicago Clickin' Mom's Photo Walk....did the Scott Kelby walk a couple of years back and enjoyed it so thought I would give this a try.  Fun.  Met quite a few photographer's from my town and surrounding towns, so maybe this will lead to more photo walks with like-minded camera nuts like me.  Altho most of them were young Moms, I mean really young, it was fun.  Quite a few of them had taken classes from Clickin' Moms and everyone of them had nothing but praise for whatever class they took.  I belong to Clickin Moms, but I have never participated in any of their classes....thought they were a might pricey, but now that I have talked to many that were so positive in their feedback, decided to give it a whirl.  Starting a new class with them in October.  And will definitely provide you with feedback for any of you that are interested, but hesitant like me.  Have always enjoyed Tracey Clark's classes, but feel like hers are more inspirational than teachable/definitive stuff.  I need some teachable stuff now. Does that make sense??  

Anyway....it was another beautiful day in Chicago.  We have truly been blessed lately with gorgeous weather, and I think it is predicted to continue...yippee!!  A great day for a camera walk.  We met at a  park really close to downtown Chicago.  So much wonderful activity going on in this square block park, kids playing, women sunbathing, couples picnicking, a dog park, men reading on benches....just like the suburbs only this was only a couple of blocks from downtown Chicago.  Lots of new condos, apartments & townhouses in this area which I believe was once almost a ghetto.

Not every apartment building was brand-spankin' new....some definitely needed some renovating....

While others were lookin good.  Wonder if any of these residents work at that USG building right next to them?

As we wandered there were always signs that life was tough for some folks....

I worked in downtown Chicago for several years, taking the train in and out of the city everyday 5 days a week.  Not once did I stop and really look at this beautiful building, what a truly special landmark we have here.  But today, I did....enjoying every detail.

And this is where I met one of the Amtrak police officers...

And I also met Fred....and his spiffy hat!!

We came out of the train station just in time to see the bridges rising to let the sailboats pass under. They do this in the Fall and again in the Spring as the sailboats return or leave their winter storage spots.

Walking back toward the park where we began we passed Old St. Pat's Catholic Church....couldn't pass by this historical church without at least stopping in for a moment.  St. Pat's opened it's doors in 1846 and is one of the few buildings that survived the Chicago Fire.  Lot's of history with this old church.  Today a wedding was scheduled for 1:00 PM so we were there just prior to the wedding party arriving.  Wonder how many thousands of couples have been married in this old church?

I have about 300 more pictures, but I think I'll stop now and go to bed.  A great day, well spent with my camera and a group of really special ladies.

"A little of what you fancy does you good."  ~  Marie Lloyd

Until next time.....