December 30, 2001

The Sears Tower

It was the middle of December, Chicago was not blanketed in fog and the Sears Tower Skydeck had been reopened after the Sept. 11 attacks. Now more than ever, I wanted to go to the top of the Sears Tower and survey the city. I wanted to see the world's tallest building, to know what it was like to look down on a city from 1,450 feet in the air.

We took the Metra train to Chicago, then walked a few blocks to 233 South Wacker Drive. My film canisters set off the metal detectors that had undoubtedly been enhanced for security measures, but then we were on our way to the elevators. The elevator ride was the fastest one I've ever taken, and the floor numbers were ticked off by the tens, rather than individually. A brochure told me the elevators reach speeds of 1,600 feet per minute. In no time at all, the elevator doors had opened onto the 103rd floor of the 110-floor building.

I wandered slowly around the Skydeck, looking down on the city of Chicago in awe. The skyscrapers to the northeast looked smaller than they had when I was on the street, and the only other building that even came close to the height of the Sears Tower was the John Hancock Center. The Chicago River reflected in buildings, and I could see the Ward's building where my grandfather once worked. To the West I could see United Center, where the Bulls play basketball. Lake Michigan to the northeast still looked as big as ever.

Wandering around the 360-degree room, I read the writing on the inner wall. It was a brief history of Chicago, and the information ranged from sports heroes to the Great Chicago Fire that ruined much of the city. Chicago is rich in culture and entertainment, and one quote by Carl Sandburg summed it up: "Show me another city so glad to be alive." It's true: As I stood there on the Skydeck and looked down on the city below, it seemed very much alive.

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