Chicago Days 5-6...Look, Up in the Sky

Day 5

Sunday, Day 16, 2026

     Today was all about the Chicago Air and Water Show.  It's an annual event centered around North Avenue Beach, an easy mile and a half walk from the hotel.

      Despina had the day off and came into the city to join me.  Her train was delayed.  In the end, it didn't matter.  Due to low clouds, the show was delayed an hour and a half anyway.  So, I just walked around and enjoyed some free Gatorade the city was passing out.

     This is from Oak Street Beach, just south of North Avenue.

      Despina finally made it.  So, we found a small patch on the beach to settle it.

      

      The first planes of the day were a group of F-16s from Arizona Air National Guard's 162 Fighter Wing.  

   That sky...

      Next up, a few passes by the Illinois Air National Guard and a KC-125 Stratotanker, used for aerial refueling.  

        

      Two planes from the Trojan Phlyers Flight Demonstration Team came in next.  They fly T-28's that were once used to train Navy and Marine Pilots.

      The Chicago Police Department and Cook County Sherriff's Department joined the fun with a few flybys of the beach. 

     Susan Dacy is a retired commercial pilot for American Airlines.  She refurbished this Super Stearman bi-plane and now does airshows.  Pretty sweet retirement actually.  

     

          The Air Force did a few surprisingly slow passes with a C-17 cargo plane.  They were specifically designed to be able to fly, take off and land at a slower speed.  This allows them the flexibility of shorter runways.

        Kevin Coleman came next. He's part of the Red Bull Air Race Team.

      The Coast Guard came next and gave a demonstration of a helicopter rescue.

     The Army's Golden Knights Parachute Team were originally supposed to open the show.  The low clouds pushed them back.  

      Selection to the team isn't easy.  It takes a lot more than just being good with a parachute.  You can see the assessment and selection process from last year's team here:

      The team doesn't just perform at shows like this, they also compete globally.  It's not all just jumping out of planes, either.  Last year, the team won Gold at the National Indoor Skydiving Championship.  Also last year, four members of the team won the Women's Four Way World Championship.  

     The Air Force Thunderbirds team was supposed to close out the show.  With the delayed start, they were moved up.  Any active duty Air Force pilot can apply.  But, as you'd suspect, the selection process is extremely difficult.  

      We could hear them approach, but no one expected them to come roaring over the crowd from behind, over the city.  

   

    With the show over, it took a while for everyone to clear out.  We were in no real rush.  The only deadline was 8:30P and the last train Despina could catch home.

    After grabbing some dinner and lingering in the air conditioning, we decided to try for a sunset along the river.  It was only another mile and a half to Union Station and the riverwalk would be an easy detour.

     First things first, a check in with David Laurie.  He was playing his violin in the same spot.  When I walked up, a father was dancing up a storm with his young daughter.  He remembered me and my request.  I gave him mad props and a hefty tip for even trying to tackle Slayer on the violin.  

    This made me laugh...

     As we walked along the riverfront towards the train station, a different kind of sunset...

     

         We got to the train station right on time, said our good-byes and I called a Lyft.  It had been a long day and I let Cristobal get me home.  But first, a pass through the Union Station Great Hall.

Day 6

Monday, Day 17, 2026

     The alarm on the phone was set for 4A for an 8A flight. Naturally, I did wake up just before it could go off.

     For some reason, "Stuck in the Middle With You" by Steelers Wheel was playing in the last dream I had.  It was stuck in my head all morning.

    My flight had been delayed thirty minutes.  With the extra time, I decided to simply take the train to O'Hare.  There's just something about a city before it wakes up.

      As I was standing on the platform, a text alert came in from Delta.  Another delay.  Now my 8A flight was leaving at 9:30A.  It turns out, the Captain was on a flight into the neighboring gate.  It had been delayed.

    

     Once on board, I was greeted with this...

      This was something new.  I've never had to sign on to the in flight entertainment system before.  Seemed kinda pointless to me.  The viewing options have gone downhill as well.  There were only five movies to choose from, none that interesting.

David

8/26