Wandering about Navy Pier alone during a Thunderstorm — Chicago, Illinois

After everyone else took off, I sat in a bus stop kiosk and tried to get a photograph of the almost-constant lightning out over the lake. What I got was a lot of pictures of the lake — and the Shoreline Cruise boat we’d ridden on earlier — but no lightening.

Before long, the rain began coming down harder. I moved to the sheltered side of the kiosk and watched two policemen getting drenched as they flagged down every taxi that came by looking for one that took credit cards. (I have no idea why they were doing this.) After they found their taxi, they came and stood under the kiosk with me and talked about all the stupid tourists who were across the street playing in the fountain when there was lightning in the area.

Across the way, in Gateway Park, I could see several of the Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet. There were 12 of these in total, and they were billed as “an innovative, informative and educational display designed to increase awareness of global warming and ecological problems affecting the earth.”

The wind shifted, and the kiosk ceased to be a shelter. I made a dash for Navy Pier and joined the vast swarm that was gathered under the front porch. People were packed in tight, most of them trying to flag down a taxi. I leaned against the wall and contemplated life. (It’s amazing how lonely you can be in a crowd.)

That got old quickly. I headed inside and walked the aisles. The pajama band was in the middle of another set. Several leaks in the roof provided proof that the storm was still raging.

I wandered back through the Crystal Gardens and watched the fountains that arched over the walkways, then stood by the window and watched the rain pour off the roof by the (still closed) Ferris wheel.

I already told you how I lost my $30 gift card and so couldn’t enter the Fun House Maze. I thought about taking another look at the stained glass museum. (No I didn’t). I finally just turned around and wandered back the way I came, through the Crystal Gardens, past the pajama band (still playing lullibies) and back through the long line of shops. That’s when I saw the funniest sight of the day. One of the shops had put up a temporary sign on the doorway.

I was tempted to go inside and tell the guy, “Hey, it’s nothing to brag about. A lot of people do.”

The front porch was still crowded with people. I stood around for perhaps 15 more minutes watching the sky getting lighter and the rain slowing down. One lady ran out to get a taxi and fell on her behind in a huge puddle, for which she got an ovation from the crowd.

When it no longer seemed dangerous, I set out. I took a picture of the Gateway Park fountain across the street, then set out for the Loop.

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