Mum and I just came back last month from our very first trip to the US. It was a really wonderful trip! The Lord really blessed it with His goodness and guidance. It was a really long trip, though - a 13-hour non-stop flight from Brisbane, Australia, to LA and then from LA to Chicago via Dallas, not counting the hours spent between flights in airports, and the same trip back home! It was long and by the end we were just totally feeling all wobbly and exhausted...but it was an excited sort of wobbliness, I guess. I can say that it all proved to be really worth it!
Unfortunately, we only had the time to visit in Illinois the entire trip. However, we enjoyed visiting Chicago and also enjoyed a lovely stay in Wheaton College in Wheaton IL. for a Christian Conference. It was a marvellous time! Mum and I also got to have a wonderful time with my aunt (Mum's sister) who was also visiting the US at that same time!
Now, one of things I really enjoyed in Chicago and Wheaton was the history. We went on an architectural land and river cruise which was absolutely amazing. The tour guides were really good and I learned a great deal...especially about the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. It was just amazing to see and learn how the city grew out of those horrific ashes.
Here are some of the highlights of this trip...in photos!
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| Chicago Cityscape and Lake Michigan! Photo taken in front of the Adler Planetarium. |
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| Chicago Cityscape and Lake Michigan Don't you love the colours of this cityscape! Beautiful! |
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| Chicago and Lake Michigan - from the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building Observatory! |
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| Chicago Cityscape from the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building Observatory! |
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| Courtyard and Fountain Fourth Presbyterian Church N. Michigan Ave. |
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| Courtyard Fourth Presbyterian Church N. Michigan Ave. |
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| Beautiful Mosaic Ceiling and Arches! Looks quite Byzantine to me...not sure...beautiful anyway! Macy's Store on State Street. |
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| The Clock! Macy's Store on State Street. |
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| A closer look...The Clock! Macy's Store on State Street |
I hope you enjoyed these photos. Please, come back soon to see part 2 of this post...more photos waiting...next time I'll be showing you...well, you'll find out soon!
Oh, Sarah! Oh, Sarah, Sarah! You actually came to the United States?? Next time you come, bring Joy with you, and then TELL ME!! I'll arrange for you to come somewhat near me and we can meet, okay?
ReplyDeleteI find it amusing, though, that here you come to the United States, and I've never been to the part of the country you went. ;) Lake Michigan looks gorgeous, I must say. The beaches are beautiful (oh my goodness, I'm laughing inwardly over the fact that I'm gushing over places in my OWN country, while I am so used to seeing unfamiliar Australian things on you and Joy's blogs ;)).
Now I am greatly curious for the next post! Don't make us wait to long, okay, dear? ;)
Much love,
Emily
I know, Emily! I was just thinking! Wish I knew you before I went to the US and then I could've contacted you, even if I couldn't pass your way this time!
DeleteThat's a deal, then! If the Lord opens the door for another visit I'll make sure you know! Oh, and that goes for you, too! You TELL US if you come to Australia! :)
I really enjoyed my visit to Chicago...you would, too, I'd guess.
I know what you mean! There are so many places I want to visit here in Australia, like our own Capital City, Canberra, and I haven't done so yet, but I did manage to travel all the way to the US! I guess this is with way of life, isn't it? :) The Lord will make a way!
Don't worry...you won't have to wait too long, Emily...it's nothing big, but it's just a glimpse into my second week of the trip :)
Ooops! I nearly slipped the surprise!
Thank you for your encouragement!
Much love,
Sarah
wonderful overview Sarah, how wonderful indeed! do you reduce your photos when you post them or have them over 800 pixels in size.. if so I suggest reducing size to 800 or smaller - blogger limit to 800 is free after that goes onto your quota and if you go over quota you will have to pay I have always loaded mine to 800 so never had problem but know others do.
ReplyDelete... personally make them to that size as they load easier but are plenty big enough, love Shaz.xx
Thanks for pointing this out to me, Shaz! I'll remember this for the future :)
DeleteHowever, I did check out my limit and found that you're given a larger limit on image sizes if you join Google+. I've recently joined it, so, Should apply to my blog. thanks again, though :)
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Here is the what it says in blogger:
Free storage limits
Photos up to 2048 x 2048 pixels and videos up to 15 minutes won't count towards your free storage.
Automatic resizing
All photos uploaded in Google+ will be automatically resized to 2048 pixels (on their longest edge) and won't count towards your free storage quota.
All photos uploaded from the Picasa software or in Picasa Web Albums over the free size limit will count towards your 1 GB of free storage. When you reach your storage limit, any new photos you upload larger than the free size limit will be automatically resized to 2048 pixels (on their longest edge).
If you haven't signed up for Google+
Free storage limits
Photos up to 800 x 800 pixels and videos up to 15 minutes won't count towards your free storage.
Automatic resizing
All photos uploaded over the free size limit will count towards your 1 GB of free storage. When you reach your storage limit, any new photos you upload to Picasa Web larger than the free size limit will be automatically resized to 800 pixels (on their longest edge).