Grant Park: Chicago's Front YardWritten by Theresa Carter
"Nor is it out of character that Chicago's grandest achievement- a largely manmade arc of lakefront parks and beaches - began as a mistake, from waste thrown into Lake Michigan - a 75-year-old dump." - - - Pat ColanderAs a Chicagoan (not by birth, but by choice), I choose to take above quote as a sign of a characteristic to make best out of a bad situation. (Consider beloved Cubs: hey, if they don't win, at least we'll make a party out of it.) Grant Park, Chicago's "front yard", owes its current glory to two very different reasons. The first is fact that it was a landfill. After Chicago Fire of 1871, ashes and rubble were pushed into park and expanded its boundaries into Lake Michigan. In years after its dedication as a public space Grant Park was quickly losing ground due to erosion. The erection of two breakwaters and "waste not, want not" use of city's rubble increased area to size it is now. The second is to Aaron Montgomery Ward's dedication to keeping lakefront "free and clear". In 1835 and 1836 area was deeded as a public square. When Daniel Burnham created his much-heralded Plan of Chicago he laid out drafts for a formal landscape with civic buildings. Mr. Ward took umbrage with that design. The original deed said that area was to "Remain Forever Open, Clear and Free of Any Buildings, or ther Obstructions Whatever," and he was determined to keep it that way. After almost 20 years in court he got his wish.
| | Take a Hawaii Helicopter Tour!Written by Keith Thompson
A Hawaii helicopter tour is one of most unforgettable experiences you'll have on your trip to Hawaii. An hour or two spent above some of planet's most captivating landscape sears itself into your memory for years to come. A Hawaii helicopter tour is both safe and stupendous!Some of sights you'll encounter aloft on your Hawaii helicopter tour include of course Hawaii's spectacular volcanoes, Haleakala, Kilauea and Pu'u O'o Vent. If you're lucky you'll see lava flows! Other great sights seen from above include Hana's spectacular rain forests and waterfalls, lush sugar cane and pineapple fields, pristine valleys and remote inaccessible rain forests. Relax in comfort of your seat while you view and listen as your guide gives you all details on state-of-the-art sound systems, allowing you to concentrate on all beauty below! Videos are usually available to impress your friends back home, as they'd never believe this if you simply told it to them!
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