10/19/2008 - Autumn in DeKalb

Often times one doesn't have to go far for a good cloud shot ... this pic taken from my front yard looking straight up.

Dramatic autumn color with cirrocumulus backdrop.

"Burning bush" and cloudscape.

Uh oh, winter can't be far off. Geese traverse east campus.

DeKalb-style traffic jam. Geese on the quad east of Davis Hall.

Altgeld Hall, bathed by the sunset.

Fall campus view.

Another shot of my favorite campus subject.

10/9-11/2008 - Chicago in October

Originally, Sharon and I had planned to see a band at the Chicago Theatre on Thursday night, but the show was postponed due to an injury to the lead singer (he fell off the stage at a prior show in Iowa ... go figure!). Since we had already Pricelined the Hyatt ($60/nt), we were committed to making the trip downtown. After checking in late Thursday, we headed up to the top of the Hancock Tower to have a couple drinks and enjoy the amazing view. On Friday, we visited the Shedd Aquarium and then met up with NIU grad, Dustin Oltman. Below are a few pics, as well as a pretty cool animation, from our trip.

View looking south, from the top of the Hancock.

View looking west, from the top of the Hancock.

Chicago Water Tower at night.

Chicago skyline, from the Shedd to the left, to the Loop and CBD in the center, to River East to the right.

A more detailed look at the CBD.

Golded Poison Frog at the Shedd Aquarium.

Big ol' turtle at the Shedd.

View, from our hotel room, of the fireworks on Friday night. Terminus of the Chicago River, Centennial Fountain, and Lake Shore Drive are pictured.

Michigan Avenue Bridge -- open to allow sailboats through for their annual wintering. Click here to see an animation illustrating the bridge closing.

Marina City towers.