Visiting the Skydeck in the Willis Tower

Until a few years ago,

the Willis Tower was known as the Sears Tower.

In fact, it is still commonly called the Sears Tower

by many people.

The Sears Tower was built in 1973

and was the tallest building in the world.

It held that rank for 25 years.

The Willis Tower is the tallest building

in the western hemisphere at this time.

When we arrived in Chicago on Saturday afternoon,

the top of the tower was enshrouded in clouds

and we thought that we would have to wait

to visit the tower.

However, by the time we had checked into the hotel

and unpacked our bags, 

the weather had cleared,

so we decided to head over to the tower.

The walk was a mere 1.7 miles from our hotel

and it is quite easy to lose sight of a tall building

in a sea of skyscrapers.

"Just look for a tall building," 

I kept telling my husband, 

tongue firmly planted in cheek,

as we walked through the streets of downtown Chicago.

We finally found the tower and followed the signs

to the correct entrance for the Skydeck.

And now for a public service announcement.

If you ever intend to visit the Skydeck,

do yourself a favor and get a FastPass ticket.

They are twice the price of a regular ticket, 

but given the choice between standing in line

for 1-1/2 hours and being able to skip all those lines

it just might be worth the extra money.

I think I'll take the elevator, thank you very much.

On a clear day you can see four states:

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Finally we made it to the top.

And it was still the same day!

The Skydeck is on the 103rd floor

and the elevator makes that journey

(from the basement)

in 60 seconds.

That is 24 feet per second.

That isn't so bad,

but the swaying from side to side is.

We are looking to the south here.

The progression is counter-clockwise

around the Skydeck, 

so next will be east, then north, then west.

I can't see my house from here.

Looking north.

Our hotel is down there somewhere.

Someone needs to clean these windows.

Looking west.

Yes, we were brave enough to step out on the ledge!

These are glass boxes that extend 

4.3 feet out from the Skydeck

and 1,353 above the ground.

I took a picture of random people to prove that

I was in another glass box.

The Foodie Husband stepped out onto the ledge.

He surveys the sights.

Saying goodbye to the 103rd floor.