Travel notes, photos, videos, and comments from all over the world. I may earn income from purchases of advertised products or clicking links. Please follow via email. Thanks Geoff Sutton of Sutton Travels blog and YouTube
13 May 2019
Willis Tower aka Sears Tower Chicago Illinois
The views from the Willis Tower (formerly called the Sears Tower) in Chicago are amazing. I went a day after rainy days in May and the lines to stand on the glass ledge were long. But judging by the wait area, the lines could be much longer in peak season.
The ledge is a worthwhile experience, but it was limited to 60 seconds when I visited.
Some folks thought I was brave on seeing my picture. I guess if you are troubled by heights or worried about human engineering errors, it could be scary.
The tower has 110-story and stands at 1,450. It is the tallest building in the Western hemisphere.
You walk around the top and see different views before reaching the section where the glass ledges are located. Most of the glass was clean but you may have to get close with your camera lens to get a clear picture. My iphone worked better than my expensive 4K camera.
I thought it compared favorably with the Shard in London, England
Location: 233 S Whacker Dr. Chicago IL 60606
Admission: It's expensive. I bought a City Pass to save on costs at five attractions. Check the website for details.
Crowds: The line was only moderately long when I visited. It seemed to move quickly. Having my advanced ticket helped a little.
Hours: Open days and evenings but hours change with time of year so see the website.
Food: There are places to purchase refreshments.
Friendliness: All the staff I spoke to were friendly.
Accessibility: See the website for details.
Website: https://www.willistower.com/ And the Skydeck Ledge Experience
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Museum of Science and Industry Chicago Illinois
One standout attraction is the German U-Boat 505, which was captured 4 June, 1944. The full size original submarine is on display along with film, story board, and models depicting life in a sub. Tours are available but were all booked when I arrived.
In addition to the locomotive pictured above, there's a Stephensons Rocket nearby and a full size Pioneer Zephyr on display.
Planes are here too. You can walk through a Boeing 727, see World War II planes, and view the exhibit about the beginnings of flight.
And there's a large model railway display featuring city, lakeside, and mountain sections.
There's so much more to see and do with many interactive exhibits friendly to children of all ages.
Location: The Museum of Science and Industry Chicago is near Lake Michigan BUT it is not on the Museum Campus. It's further South at 5700 Lake Shore Drive Chicago IL 60637. I used the Metra line train near my hotel on Michigan Ave.
Admission: It's expensive for those of us from out-of-state. I bought a City Pass to save on costs at five attractions. Some exhibits or events cost extra. Check the website for details. Map link.
Crowds: It did not take long after opening for lots of groups of children to arrive. The museum is so large that it did not feel crowded.
Hours: Open daily 9:30 - 4:30 with various exceptions so you will need to check the website for the latest.
Food: I was allowed to bring my own lunch and eat in designated areas . There are places to purchase lunches and snacks.
Friendliness: All the staff I spoke to were friendly.
Maps: A map of the museum is online and paper copies are available to visitors.
Accessibility: See the website for details.
Website: https://www.msichicago.org/
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Field Museum Chicago Illinois
The Field Museum in Chicago has a fantastic collection of artifacts and specimens from all over the world. Most on display focus on natural history and include those massive dinosaurs that capture so much attention. They have a fine collection of contemporary animals, plants, and geological specimens as well. Standard and special exhibits help us explore other cultures.
Sue, the T-Rex is clearly a main attraction and comes with an interesting story of discovery. There's also a multisensory film, which I enjoyed.
Although there is a fine museum (Wonders of the Wildlife) in my hometown, the animal collection at the Field Museum is brilliant.
I was a bit disappointed in the limited displays portraying human origins. I think the Smithsonian is much better.
Location: The Field Museum is located near Lake Michigan on the Museum Campus. I stayed at a hotel on Michigan avenue within walking distance. Look for the Dino outside.
Admission: It's expensive for those of us from out-of-state. I bought a City Pass to save on costs at five attractions. Some exhibits or events cost extra. Check the website for details.
Crowds: It did not take long after opening for lots of groups of children to arrive. They did take up most places in the lunch rooms at midday. They seemed mostly happy and although noisy, they were not unruly. On the day I was there, many of them seemed to leave by early afternoon. They also seemed to focus on the popular exhibits like the dinosaurs.
Hours: Open daily 9-5 except Christmas, but check the website for the latest.
Food: I was allowed to bring my own lunch and eat in designated areas downstairs. There are places to purchase lunches and snacks.
Friendliness: All the staff I spoke to were friendly.
Maps: A map of the museum is online and paper copies are available to visitors. I still needed directions to the 3D movie, which was off in a distant part of the museum.
Accessibility: See the website for details.
Website: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/visit
A couple more photos.
15 April 2019
Notre Dame Paris France
Notre Dame 10 March 2012 / G Sutton |
It
is a sad day this 15 April, 2019—a day when Notre Dame is burning before our
eyes. As I write, the spire and roof have fallen and the smoke on this 850 year
old cathedral rises (BBC).
It
is difficult to know the extent of the damage, but one can surely hope its
grandeur will be restored so future generations can appreciate the craft, beauty,
and devotion of those who created such a magnificent edifice as an expression
of their faith.
Notre
Dame (aka Our Lady) is located on a small island (Ile de la Cite) in the River
Seine. Construction began in 1163 when Louis VII was the king of France. The
remarkable gothic structure was completed two centuries later.
Below is a brief clip from a service when we visited 10 March 2012-- just a year before the 850 year celebrations. The video is limited in scope due to the crowd but you can see it is a living church and you get a sense of the music, which of course sounded much better in person.
04 January 2019
Guide to WORLD WAR I in FRANCE posts
WORLD
WAR I in FRANCE
The
following links take you to the post about the sites along The Western Front of
World War I.
On the occasion of the centenary of World War I in
2018, I traveled The Western Front from Belgium to the Swiss Border and
remembered the Armistice of 11 November 1918 at the Cenotaph in London, England.
Pozières The Windmill honouring Australian troops in Northern France
Pozières Tank Corp memorial near the first use of tanks
Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Park honouring British troops from
Newfoundland
Thiepval Memorial, Visitor Centre, and Museum The memorial honours British
and South African troops
Compiegne —the site of the 1918 Armistice
Meaux Museum —an extensive battlefield museum
La Ferté-sous-Jouarre —British war memorial including monuments to the
Royal Engineers
Belleau Wood and the American Monument – remembering U.S. Marines who fought here
atop a hill by the Marne River
Les Fantômes Memorial Sculpture by Paul Landowski— creative sculpture
Les Fantômes Memorial Sculpture by Paul Landowski— creative sculpture
located at the Second Battle of the Marne 1918
Soisson The British Memorial honouring about 4,000 British Commonwealth troops,
Soisson The British Memorial honouring about 4,000 British Commonwealth troops,
who died in the Battles of the Aisne and Marne.
Aisne —Cerny en Loannois — picturesque village with a chapel and cemetery
Aisne —Cerny en Loannois — picturesque village with a chapel and cemetery
in the area known as Chemin des Dames
Aisne and the Monument to the Crapouillots French artillerymen
Aisne and the Monument to the Crapouillots French artillerymen
honoured in a monument shaped like a mortar shell
Tank Corp Memorial This memorial includes several large scale tanks.
Le Main de Massiges and the impressive reconstructed trenches
Hill of Vauquois and the devastation of mine warfare. A village is obliterated.
Romagne a small town with an interesting museum on the way to the
American cemetery of the Meuse-Argonne battle
Meuse-Argonne —an impressive American Memorial near Verdun
Voie Sacrée Memorial on the way to Verdun the sacred supply route
The Battle of Verdun —Verdun and the nearby Museum
Trench of Bayonets memorial and the Battle of Verdun
Douamont Ossuary and Cemetery and the Battle of Verdun
Romanian (aka Rumanian) Military Cemetery at Soultzmatt France
Le Ligne Museum and Trenches located in the beauty of the mountains.
Ilfurth—a German Cemetery
Vieil Armand Battlefield also known as Hartmannswillerkopf—National Monument
Pfetterhouse at the Swiss Border
See also...
Academic Publications (many free downloads)
Tank Corp Memorial This memorial includes several large scale tanks.
Le Main de Massiges and the impressive reconstructed trenches
Hill of Vauquois and the devastation of mine warfare. A village is obliterated.
Romagne a small town with an interesting museum on the way to the
American cemetery of the Meuse-Argonne battle
Meuse-Argonne —an impressive American Memorial near Verdun
Voie Sacrée Memorial on the way to Verdun the sacred supply route
The Battle of Verdun —Verdun and the nearby Museum
Trench of Bayonets memorial and the Battle of Verdun
Douamont Ossuary and Cemetery and the Battle of Verdun
Romanian (aka Rumanian) Military Cemetery at Soultzmatt France
Le Ligne Museum and Trenches located in the beauty of the mountains.
Ilfurth—a German Cemetery
Vieil Armand Battlefield also known as Hartmannswillerkopf—National Monument
Pfetterhouse at the Swiss Border
See also...
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interested, please join me. I write about psychology and culture—especially topics
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Academic Publications (many free downloads)
Trench of Bayonets World War I France
Not far from Douamont is the memorial to the soldiers in the Trench of the Bayonets. A German offensive resulted in men completely covered in their trenches. What was visible was their bayonets sticking up through the ground.
The memorial remembers the French soldiers. Because of the theft of bayonets, crosses now mark the sacred soil.
My World
War I Travels
Connections
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The Battle of Verdun France
The Battle of Verdun was the longest battle in recent history, which began 21 February and extended until 15 December 1916.
The city of Verdun is located on the River Meuse. The Germans has gained control of the high ground on the east side of the river.
The plan of attack was devised by German Chief of Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn. The attack, following bombrdment, was led by Crown Prince Whilhelm. The plan was supposed to quickly take the French out of the war before the British Empire could become fully engaged. But later in the year, the British drew German troops away to the Battle of the Somme.
The nearby Verdun Memorial Museum was modernised, expanded, and reopened in 2016, which was the centenary of the First World War battle.
Visitors can view artefacts from the battlefield and learn the history of the Battle of Verdun in the context of the War.
The French and their allies held their ground despite the use of gas.
A marker reminds visitors of the crucial supply line along the Voie Sacrée.
Dioramas attempt to help visitors glimpse the battlefield terrain.
A simple plane represents the changes coming to modern warfare.
Not far away is the impressive hilltop American Memorial to the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
The Battle of Verdun included fighting at Fort Douamont and Vaux on the right bank. Many are buried at the Douaumont Ossuary and cemetery.
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