{"id":720,"date":"2014-01-29T16:56:48","date_gmt":"2014-01-29T22:56:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/decidedlygrim.net\/forlorn\/?p=720"},"modified":"2014-09-04T11:29:25","modified_gmt":"2014-09-04T16:29:25","slug":"chilling-chicago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decidedlygrim.net\/forlorn\/?p=720","title":{"rendered":"Chilling Chicago"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photographing abandoned buildings is one of my great loves; the other is photographing winter. \u00a0Unlike so many of my camera-loving peers, I don’t get depressed when winter hits, I get giddy. \u00a0When it snows, I resent having to be at work instead of Out There where the beauty is. \u00a0So, when the first polar vortex of 2014 hit Chicago and I had to work, and then I saw the beautiful photographs that others were able to capture trickle in on my newsfeed, I was frustrated and despondent. \u00a0“If there’s another vortex,” I swore, “I will take a day off work to photograph it!”<\/p>\n

So, when the weather reports suggested a possible low of -22 on Tuesday, January 28th, 2014 I could not resist. \u00a0I scheduled the day off and rose at 5 a.m. to rush down to North Avenue Beach. \u00a0It wasn’t as cold as they’d predicted (only -11), but the wind chills were probably in the -35 range. \u00a0I was fully decked out with multiple layers, a newly-purchased balaclava over my face, and warm gloves. \u00a0My camera was fully charged and I was ready for the show. \u00a0When it gets this cold, Lake Michigan “steams” – which adds an otherworldly beauty to an already gorgeous lakefront. \u00a0I was in awe as I watched the colors unfurl and was reminded, again, why I love this city (and winter).<\/p>\n

After the sun rose, I drove down to 39th Street Beach and capped off my morning at Promontory Point. \u00a0In every location something stunning greeted me.<\/p>\n

Then I went home and slept the rest of day after “catching a chill,” as they used to say. \u00a0But it was worth it! \u00a0I hope you agree.<\/p>\n

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