Flat Greta goes to Chicago

Our granddaughter Greta has a school assignment in which she is to create a paper version of herself and supply it to someone going on an adventure.

They are to take the "Flat Greta" and pose it with various sights and document the trip. It is then returned with the pictures to allow "Real Greta" to tell about the trip.

"Flat Greta" traveled to Chicago on an Amtrak train and explored the sights of Chicago.

Arriving in Chicago

Exploring Union Station

Ordering a classic Chicago dog

An all beef Chicago Dog with tomato, onion, hot peppers, pickle, mustard and relish

Overlooking the Great Hall of Union station

There was a display telling about the movies that have been made in Chicago

"Flat Greta" posing with "Flat Sinatra" 

"Flat Greta" with "Flat Marilyn Monroe"

Exploring the recently restored Union station Ladies Waiting Room

Checking out the mirrors

Looking at the River Tour boats

Enjoying the view from the river

Flat Greta explored 'Flamingo', created by noted American artist Alexander Calder. It is a 53-foot tall stabile located in the Federal Plaza in front of the Kluczynski Federal Building in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

"Flat Greta" with "Flat Mutant Ninja Turtle"

Exploring the bicycles that anyone can rent for $9.95 per day and leave at any bike stop after using

Best way to stay safe at the river when the wind is blowing against the railing

There is a reason they call this the "Windy City"

Checking out the Elevated Train at the Loop

Going for a ride

Vicksburg

On our way through the South we stopped at Vicksburg Mississippi to learn more about the Battle for Vicksburg in the Civil war. Vicksburg is located on high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and had control over any water transportation using the river. The Union needed to remove that control to weaken the Confederacy and split it in half.

The location of Vicksburg and the strong defense made this a very difficult task. The battlefield museum explains the various approaches used to take the city and what finally worked.

The visitor center/museum has a collection of various arltillery pieces on display.

Recreations of defensive breastworks were shown to give an idea of the defenses in place to defend the city.

The visitor center has an interactive display showing colored lights that indicate the various battles for the city

The city was under constant bombardment which caused the citizens to dig caves and live in them for protection

Canons are located around the park at appropriate locations showing the battle layout

Plaques are located to tell of the events at each location. They are color coded for North and South.

Monuments of all sizes are located on the battlefield to honor those who fought and died.

Photographs of the period showed what it looked like "THEN"

and "NOW"

Many monuments honored those who perished

Many examples of various charges were explained on storyboards. I've included just a few.

The CAIRO was a Union Gunboat that has the distinction of being the first warship to be sunk by an electronically controlled mine set off by a soldier on the shore. (Mines were called "Torpedoes" during the Civil War. The CAIRO was later raised and the remains put on display.

The gunboat display is kept under a dramatic tent structure.

Recreations of the upper structure are placed over the remains of the hull

A very nice museum explains the history of the gun boat

Bent railroad rails were used as added protection of the crew

A very nice model of the CAIRO showed her appearance when new.

Today the park is a very peaceful and beautiful location which belies the carnage of the Civil War

A 21 foot motor home is about the biggest vehicle you'd want to take on a tour of the park