Chicago trip scheduled for July 2nd weekend...

06/19/2004 10:22:26 AM · #26

I am hoping to get there before 11am... Will let ya know for sure when it gets closer.

06/20/2004 12:39:24 PM · #27

06/20/2004 06:02:04 PM · #28

bump...

06/20/2004 07:04:46 PM · #29

Should we meet on Saturday in the same place that everyone else will meet on Friday? What does everyone think? And, what about the boat tour? Anyone have any comments on that?

-Danielle

vsmed1968

Gateway DC-T50

06/20/2004 07:31:50 PM · #30

I wasn't sure that Navy Pier was location #1. I know it well. I will keep checking back for definite times an locations. Thanks all!!!!

06/21/2004 12:39:10 PM · #31

Who are the people that will not be there untill Saturday, I guess I will start making plans with them, since I am not getting any answers from anyone. I really need to make hotel reservations, before the rooms are all gone, or they are too expensive to buy... I just need to know where we are going to meet Saturday, so I can get a hotel within walking distance....

Thanks!

-Danielle

06/21/2004 01:39:50 PM · #32

bump...

TooCool

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

06/21/2004 02:04:28 PM · #33

I'm a Saturday Morning member...

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

06/21/2004 02:58:48 PM · #34

Alright, Ron (TooCool) and, I think, Kosta (pitsaman) will be meeting Saturday. Anyone else? Dave (dsa157), since you were doing a lot of the organizing, maybe you would like to have some say? Between me, Ron, and Kosta, we will not be able to meet that early on Saturday, so maybe you have a suggestion for where us three could meet up with the rest of you later on (maybe around 11:00am)? I really need to settle this, because if I loose any more time, I will not be going at all...

Thanks!

-Danielle

d14

Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro

06/21/2004 04:21:11 PM · #35

I'll be a saturday person as well

flip89

Nikon D700

06/21/2004 04:37:01 PM · #36

I will be there Saturday at around 11 am too.

Best place I guess is Navy Pier in front (No. 1 on pitsaman's map) - then, we can walk down river to pick up the boat trip in the afternoon (if this is what we want) - about a 15 minute walk UNDER Chicago.

We can also go up the Hancock Tower - to the bar on the 95th floor later ... this way, we don't have to pay for the entrance to the observatory and we get the same view :-). Toward the evening, if people are staying for the fireworks, we should then walk toward Grant Park and colonize a patch of grass for viewing.

Ken

06/21/2004 05:20:37 PM · #37

There are rooms still available at Chicago Hilton 3 1/2 stars $130.

06/21/2004 05:34:16 PM · #38

We have points for the Holiday Inn chain, but thanks for the info!

-Danielle

Originally posted by pitsaman:

There are rooms still available at Chicago Hilton 3 1/2 stars $130.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/21/2004 10:50:55 PM · #39

So, now we have me, Ron (TooCool), Kosta (pitsaman), Ken (flip89), and Ryan (d14) that will be there on Saturday. Are we saying that we will meet at the same Navy Pier Location (at the fountain in front (Point #1)//www.lsni.org/2004convention/NavyPierAttractions.pdf) as previously mentioned, at 11:00 am, on Saturday? And, is everyone going to meet there (not just the people that will be coming in on Saturday)? I mostly just need to know the place and time, then I can book my hotel accordingly... And, did anyone decide on a boat tour? (Ken (flip89), did you get any more information on this?)

Thanks!

-Danielle

dsa157

Canon EOS-50D

06/22/2004 08:56:40 AM · #40

Originally posted by dccloss:

I think it would make sense for everyone to meet there at 11:00am

Seems like that is now what most people are doing. Is anyone going to meet on Friday?

Dave

06/22/2004 12:46:28 PM · #41

bump

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

06/22/2004 01:01:29 PM · #42

Originally posted by dsa157:

I think it would make sense for everyone to meet there at 11:00am

Seems like that is now what most people are doing. Is anyone going to meet on Friday?

Dave

Friday would be a double loser for me,I have to take day-off from work and the traffic will be horrible any road you take,it is Holiday remember that !

flip89

Nikon D700

06/22/2004 01:39:16 PM · #43

Originally posted by dccloss:

Here are the boat tours info:

Architectural Foundation:

CAF's Architecture River Cruise spotlights over 50 historic and architecturally significant sites where you'll gain a new perspective of the city. Come aboard either of our well-appointed vessels, Chicago's First Lady or Chicago's Little Lady where open-air and indoor seating will add comfort to your journey. Snacks and beverages are available for purchase on board.

The cruise lasts for 90 minutes and can accommodate groups of 20 - 120 people based on availability.

This is very popular, doesn't go to the lake but the docents are very knowledgeable of the buildings along the River (plus other historical tidbits).

Wendella Boats (Lake and River Cruise) - $18.00 per person

The Combined Lake and River Tour
Adults $18. Seniors $16. Children $9.
Chicago's most comprehensive boat tour. Our signature tour of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River includes a live narration featuring an overview of architecture and history.

10:00 AM
11:30 AM
1:15 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM

4:30 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
8:30 PM

2 Hour Tour

Chicago At Sunset
Adults $20. Seniors $18. Children $10.
7:45 PM

Took this a few years ago, lots of tid bits from the narrator, adequate description of the buildings, goes to the lake.

Mercury

A guided tour through Chicago's downtown river and harbor front. Enjoy lively commentary on 17 bridges, 82 buildings and landmarks. Experience the famous Chicago River locking system as you enter lake Michigan. Daily 10:00 and 11:30 am; 1:30, 5:30, 7:00 pm plus 8:30 summer weekends. Adults $18; kids under 12 - $8.

No reservations needed; they sell tickets 1 hour before scheduled tour.

I took this tour three weeks ago (because I missed the 2 pm boat of the Architectural Foundation) - found it quite adequate, not indepth but they point out the more significant buildings and architecture. Goes to the lake so you have a different view of the skyline.

Hotels: As pitsaman said, the Hilton on 1000 block of S. Michigan (facing Grant Park where the fireworks are - this is the flagship hotel of the Hilton, btw), has $130/night available. Palmer House (another Hilton) which is about three blocks away from Michigan - very grand historic hotel - has also $130 rooms available. Congress Hotel on 500-600 block of S. Michigan (also facing Grant Park) has less than hundred/night rooms available but this is a 2 or 3 star hotel.

There is also a hostel on Congress and Wabash (a block away from 500/400 block of S. Michigan Ave.) that is supposed to be ok too and just walking distance from Grant Park.

Parking - there's a $10.00/day, park all day parking on Harrison and Wabash (just one block west of 600 block of S. Michigan) under the elevated train.

The schedule of FREE trolleys to take you around can be found here: //www.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/trolleys/TrolleyStops.html

Bus to Navy Pier: No. 29 bus - from State St., about two blocks west of Michigan ($1.75; 25 cents transfer within two hours); //www.transitchicago.com/maps/bus/bus.html Also, bus number 64, 65, 120, 121 and 124 go to Navy Pier but I haven't taken those. I usually take the free trolley from any of the points on the map to go to Navy Pier.

Message edited by author 2004-06-22 13:44:16.

06/23/2004 02:09:53 AM · #44

I think I will take hotel room downtown Saturday night,hate driving back to Schaumbueg after fireworks,so where is everybody staying ?

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/23/2004 09:53:54 AM · #45

We are looking at the Holiday Inn City Centre (Navy Pier), so that we will not have to drive too much, if at all. It is very close to the pier, but might be a bit more expensive. We are going to be using points for it though. There are some rooms for 159.00. If you use the internet saver rate, you can get them as low as 149.00, but you have to pay the entire balance in advance.

-Danielle

Originally posted by pitsaman:

I think I will take hotel room downtown Saturday night,hate driving back to Schaumbueg after fireworks,so where is everybody staying ?

Message edited by author 2004-06-23 10:03:02.

dsa157

Canon EOS-50D

06/23/2004 12:04:10 PM · #46

1. Is anyone meeting Friday night?
2. Is anyone interested in Sunday at the Botanical Gardens (or elsewhere)?

It's OK if the answer is "no", but I'd like to know one way or the other.

Dave

flip89

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR

06/23/2004 12:06:57 PM · #47

Originally posted by dsa157:

1. Is anyone meeting Friday night?
2. Is anyone interested in Sunday at the Botanical Gardens (or elsewhere)?

It's OK if the answer is "no", but I'd like to know one way or the other.

Dave

If there are enough bodies on Friday night, sure, no problem. Perhaps we could go up the Hancock Tower to take night shots of the city.

Won't be able to join you guys on Sunday ... I have a retirement party to attend to ... :-(.

06/23/2004 01:34:31 PM · #48

I would be interested in the Botanical Gardens on Sunday, as long as it is earlier in the day. We are planning on leaving sometime Sunday afternoon or evening.

-Danielle

BTW-as already stated, I will not be here Friday night.

Originally posted by dsa157:

1. Is anyone meeting Friday night?
2. Is anyone interested in Sunday at the Botanical Gardens (or elsewhere)?

It's OK if the answer is "no", but I'd like to know one way or the other.

Dave

06/23/2004 03:40:27 PM · #49

bump!!