Chicago's "Cloud Gate", Affectionately Known as "The Bean" by Weezilou

Chicago's "Cloud Gate", Affectionately Known as "The Bean"

When you've been away from home for 137 days, you want that last day to be something especially memorable. All our kids were at work, so Ken and I walked to the El and rode downtown to Chicago's Art Institute and Millennium Park. It's "a corner of town" that never disappoints! The day was hot and sunny, so it was no surprise to find people relishing the Crown Fountain water attraction, splashing in the rivulet or choosing to get completely soaked! We walked through the Sculpture Garden of the Art Institute, watched Monarch Butterflies fluttering over milkweed, listened to music being played at noontime in the freeform bandshell, and spent an hour walking around "The Bean", captivated by its form and reflections. The joy of the latter is that no picture from any angle will disappoint! When I saw a man set up his camera to take a photo of himself, I offered to take another for him. He, too, was from California. And I saw a couple photographing themselves with a little bear, so I took a picture for them, and they took one of Ken and me with "Flat Allie" (for our Allison Williams). It was the perfect end to our vacation. Afterward we stopped in to say good-bye to Heather and we had one more sushi lunch in her neighborhood. Ashley drove us to the airport, and I love the last photo I took of her. We had a wonderful flight home, a nice meal and a good movie. At arrival, bags collected, it felt almost surreal to step out into the Orange County evening and have all those summer memories behind us.

Allowing for the time change, we soon fell into bed and were immediately joined by three welcoming kitties. How good it was to know we'd not been forgotten! Home again, home again...
Oh my gosh, you're on my time zone again. How strange! I love love love the Bean and the Art Institute. And your writing makes me feel sad to say goodbye--to family and places. But so happy you have happy kitties and something to make you want to be back in Orange County. That will make it easier. Welcome home!
September 23rd, 2010  
Beautiful picture ... I'd like to see that sometime.
September 23rd, 2010  
Wow!!!! This thing is crazy looking! I believe that I have seen some shots of this before in my travels of the 365 site...your capture of "The Bean" is spectacular! Glad you got to spend your last day in Chicago sight seeing.
September 23rd, 2010  
Wow, I love it! I have yet to experience this in person I will one day. Thanks for sharing!
September 23rd, 2010  
This is beautiful! I'd love to see this ...
September 23rd, 2010  
I love this - I have seen some other pictures of this sculpture but this one is sooooo beautiful - it is something I would love to see. So glad you had a perfect last day of summer and arrived home safely to be welcomed by your pets - they must have been so happy to see you.
September 23rd, 2010  
Awesome! extraordinary landmark!
September 23rd, 2010  
Love the bean!
September 23rd, 2010  
what a stunning shot and an interesting art piece. Love the crop you gave this.
September 23rd, 2010  
The bean!!! Excellent :D A few of my friends overseas are obsessed with the bean and they always say it's the one place you MUST go in Chicago. :D I hope to see it one day, awesome shot :)
September 23rd, 2010  
Such a suberb pic, the crop is spot on and the colours are so vibrant. What a fab piece of art too! Would so love to see that in the flesh, wow.
September 23rd, 2010  
Wow, you really took advantage of that last day, and it sounds like you had a wonderful time! You must be worn out after your travels, and I'm sure it's nice to be back home. Beautiful shot of "the Bean" btw!
September 23rd, 2010  
beautiful and Interesting! I'd like to see this in the future.
September 23rd, 2010  
Neat shot!
September 23rd, 2010  
This is a brautiful photo, and the area looks to be very exciting. I love the cityscape behind it.
September 23rd, 2010  
This is my favourite all time sculpture. I love the photos of it. A friend sent me a fantastic one which I used as my desktop wallpaper. Love The Bean!
September 23rd, 2010  
Love this! The smooth, curving lines of the sculpture against the angular lines of the architecture behind it - sheer gorgeousness!
September 23rd, 2010  
jiggity jig! I would love to one day visit that very cool bean. sounds like a special day. I bet you could have spent the whole day at the bean taking photographs for people. Now you can start thinking about Europe.....
September 23rd, 2010  
i don't think that would fit on our main street.....have to close the road!
September 23rd, 2010  
fabulous picture Louise
September 23rd, 2010  
What a fabulous shot and a lovely way to end your visit.
I enjoyed reading it even though I don't now about the city :D
I can imagine how tired you and Ken would be :O
September 23rd, 2010  
beautiful shot of the bean!! i didn't get a very good one when i was there; i love how this captures that curve. did you go to the art institute? i'm sure you've been before, but it is so wonderful!! i'm glad you had a lovely visit with your girls, and made it safely home (for now...) (:
September 23rd, 2010  
If I ever get to Chicago, I have to go see this. It's so cool! Welcome home to SoCal!
September 23rd, 2010  
I LOVE LOVE this photo! I visited the art institute once as a child. Don't remember this at all. Must be time to revisit.
September 23rd, 2010  
Gorgeous shot of the Bean! I remember when I first heard they were installing it I was not expecting to like it at all. Much to my surprise, I fell in love with it the first time I saw it in person and I now visit it as often as I can. I am so glad you and Ken were able to enjoy your last day in Chi-town so much. Yesterday was definitely a great day for a visit to Millenium Park.
September 23rd, 2010  
Isn't that a fantiastic place to visit..we were there in Oct. 2009 while visiting my sister in Chicago. also took a lot of pictures which I of course uploaded here on 365. great picture of the Bean.
September 23rd, 2010  
wow thats stunning x
September 23rd, 2010  
What a nice ending to your summer...and I love this photo. I have never been to the Windy City but after seeing so many great photos here on 365 I definitely want to make a trip there one day. Welcome Home! I seem to have missed some of your photos over the last few weeks but as you know, sometimes life takes on a pace of its own and we can only do as much as we can do. Now, go rest up fro a little while...I know that trip to Europe looms on the horizon ;-)
September 23rd, 2010  
I love this---with your permission i want to send it to my niece--her nickname is "Bean" and she would get a kick out of this!! :)
September 23rd, 2010  
Oh, I never get tired of looking at the bean, and what a great view of it you've captured. I should actually get off my tuckus and get over to see it on my lunch hour before it gets too cold. Glad you and Ken had time to play tourist around the city again before heading home.
September 23rd, 2010  
Awesome. What a cool shot. Would love to see that in person.
September 23rd, 2010  
That is a super cool angle. I'm used to seeing it from the angle that makes it look like a bean, but I like this. Good job =-)
September 23rd, 2010  
wow what a fantastic picture, brilliant shot
September 23rd, 2010  
Nice bubble and reflections!
September 23rd, 2010  
Great photo of the bean. I am taking a friend to see the bean this weekend. She has lived in IL her whole and never seen the bean!!! Can you believe it! I hear Chicago has a bunch of festivals going on this weekend. Glad you and your hubby are having a good time in Chi-Town.
September 23rd, 2010  
what a cool shot!
September 23rd, 2010  
As Ash said, an angle that we don't always see. Good job mama!
September 23rd, 2010  
This is so cool! Great shot! I would love to see the "Bean" one day.
September 23rd, 2010  
i was going to say the same thing: people usually take photos from different angle! very cool!
September 23rd, 2010  
The bean is awesome! I usually see portraits done in the reflection. It was nice to see the cityscape behind and the fluffy clouds in the reflection. If I ever visit Chicago again, I will have to visit the bean!
September 23rd, 2010  
I love this picture, that bean is wonderful! Glad you had a very special final day of your vacation, I lookforward to seeing your California pictures bringing some sunshine to our winter here.
September 23rd, 2010  
wow.. that looks great... 3 months away!!!!! Cricky!!!! I struggle to return to London after a week away... give me 3 months on the orad and I'd never want to come back... happy unpacking :-)
September 24th, 2010  
I like the bean. When I stayed at the Palmer House is spent my free time hanging out at the park. I took a walk from the Palmer House to the pier to take the wonderful architectural boat tour you suggested.
September 24th, 2010  
Super pic, nicely captured
September 24th, 2010  
That is awesome looking! I would love to see that in person. I'm thinking you wouldn't be able to take a picture too close because you would see you in the reflection. Fantastic!

So happy to hear you made it home safely! I'm sorry to hear my monarchs were misbehaving and not posing for pictures LOL. Someone else said the same thing not long ago, that they just weren't cooperating.
September 24th, 2010  
What a great sight to see, love it.
September 24th, 2010  
Amazing capture....wow! I'm glad that you had safe travels.
September 24th, 2010  
I love love love Anish Kapoor. I totally have to go see this :D

Lovely Photo Louise!
September 24th, 2010  
A huge bean that has swallowed an entire city, keeping the inhabitants trapped inside, allowing only those on the outside to view within! Ok, maybe a bit too much science fiction for me as of late. Definitely a sweet looking and unique piece of art.
September 24th, 2010  
I thought this was Anish Kapoor. And it is reading your comments. he does some fabulous stuff. Seen his work in Brighton and in London last year. Great shot!
September 24th, 2010  
Sounds like the perfect day! It must feel different to be back home! I usually have all kinds of mixed emotions - relief, happpiness, and some longing to go back from where I've just returned. Nothing beats cuddling with there kitties, though! ;-)
September 24th, 2010  
What a wonderful day you had! So glad I could enjoy it with you. You sure managed to cram a lot in one day. I'm glad the kitties welcomed you with open paws. So much nicer to come home to a welcoming committee.
September 25th, 2010  
It sounds like a wonderful day! That is such a wonderful area of Chicago.
September 26th, 2010  
If I lived over there I would get up middle night to take a late night shot, meaning no tourists around it or reflection of them etc.


I can't figure out where you are in the reflection.
September 26th, 2010  
Wow, I simply love this! I think it is the best picture of the bean I have ever seen! Sounds like a lovely day in Chicago!
October 3rd, 2010  
Are you from Chicago? I used to live there and I absolutely love it! It's my favorite city!
October 16th, 2010  
wowswer
February 4th, 2011  
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