When I was growing up about 80 miles north of Chicago, my perception was a old,bland, crowded, crime-ridden, politically corrupt, Midwest industrial city with some cool landmarks and a baseball team to love (The Cubs, sorry White Hose fans), but never a place I really desired to visit too often. But with later periodic visits the Loop area with its variety of architecture, urban parks, museums and greenification my view has improved steadily, still not sure I want to live there, but its my kind of town. My lingering view of a special day in Chicago floating down the Chicago River.