An appointment last week brought me to my first trip downtown since early March. This was my longest absence from the Loop in at least 40 years, so I left early and brought my camera. I parked in the Millennium Park garage, but instead of the park being open 24 hours, it was gated. A path through Maggie Daley Park was open with a view across Frank Gehry’s bridge to Millennium Park.
BP bridge
With the park closed I walked up Michigan Avenue with a view of big ducks and small seagulls.
Last Dance Duck
Even though it was still somewhat early, very few people were on the streets or using the Divvy bikes.
After my appointment, the gate into Millennium Park was open, and the sumacs were showing off.
No one was on the lawn by the Pritzker Pavilion.
Pritzker Pavilion
One path through Lurie Gardens was open, and storm clouds were moving in. The garden, as much of the park, is actually the world’s largest green roof spanning train tracks and parking garage.
Lurie Garden 1
Lurie Garden 2
Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate, aka The Bean, is usually surrounded by people enjoying the reflections and taking portraits, but it’s now fenced off to discourage gatherings, so it’s easier to photograph without lots of folks’ reflections.
Cloud Gate