We were up at 4 am, had a shower then staggered down to get a cab at 4.30am. Luckily they gave preference to anyone with luggage as the line was full of partying drunks, and the line was long. The cab fare only cost $15 at this time of the day.

Our plane departed just after 6 am and it was a 3hr and 4 minutes flight. We flew United again from Gate D56 and had seats 27A and 27B. We were on a Boeing 757-200.

Upon arrival in Chicago we caught the shuttle to our hotel but were not allowed to check in as it was too early. So talking to the porter we were told about a boat trip and he pointed us to a nice place for lunch. We had something to eeat and then off to the wharf to take this Historical and Architectural Cruise.

This was a great cruise showing us the city from the river and it give you an appreciation of the fantastic buildings that there are in this city as well as how the city re-built itself after the Great Fire in 1871. Some photos are not named as we cannot remember the buildings name.

Sunrise at Vegas Airport.	Snow on the mountains leaving Vegas.	These mountains were really nice.	The green of Chicago is so different to Vegas.
A nice little intersection.	Touchdown at O'Hare International Airport.	Clive on the boat cruise.	Waiting for the cruise to depart.
.	Lake Point Tower Built 1968.	.	Aqua. Interesting use of coloured glass here.
A memorial park.	.	Trump Tower Chicago. Built 2005.	This triangular building looked really great.

Gai enjoying the cruise.	Many boats cruise on the river.	.	Tribune Tower Built 1922-1925.
A two level bridge.	The city has spent a lot of money on walk ways along the river.	Mariina City Built 1959-1964.	And you can park your boat underneath.
77 West Wacker Built 1990-1992.	.	Merchandise Mart. Built 1930 25 story building with 4250000 sq ft floor space.	333 West Wacker Drive Built 1979-1983.
A closer view.	Boeing World Headquarters Built 1988-1990.	This bridge is undergoing repairs.	Chicago Sun Times building.
Fulton House - Cold Storage Warehouse. Built 1908.	Some modern apartments.	Units on the river front.	Erie on the Park Built 2001-2002.
Old Buildings mix with the new.	.	The Hancock Tower is in the distance.	More apartments.
The clolours here are nice.	Blending into the next building.	Water towers are still in use today.	Montgomery Ward Warehouse and office. Built 1928-1929.
East Bank Club Building.	.	Kinzie Street Railroad Bridge. Built 1915.	Part of the skyline.
.	Someone will need to keep the hedge trimmed.	The train on 'The Loop'.	.
The left hand tower.	Joined with the right hand one.	Another bridge control tower.	The slight curve on the end of this one is interesting.
The Sears Tower dominates.	Trains go under the city too.	The balconies add to this character.	Fanancy an apartment here.
The mail centre. Everything here is under cover.	.	All bridges across the river can open.	The Sears Tower in the back. Built in 1974. 1454 feet high.
Further down the river.	The Sears Tower (left) and 311 Wacker Drive. Built 1988-1990.	Even the bakery looks good.	LaSalle - Whacker Building Built 1929 - 1930.
.	Boeing World Headquarters. Built 1988 - 1990.	Merchandise Mart. This really is a grand building.	New buildings are still going up.
77 West Wacker. Built 1990 - 1992.	.	Tribune Tower. Built 1922 - 1925.	The University of Chicago.
NBC Tower Built 1985 - 1989.	.	.	.
The local marina.	The skyline from the water.	Our boat.	The Hancock Tower from our hotel.
Apartments opposite us.	Nice roof top garden and pool.	Navy Pier.	Our room was spacious.
A comfortable large bed.	Tastefully decorated.	Clive checking out the Hop On Hopp Off.	We'll go here tomorrow.