Anna Across America - Chicago (A Second City Encore)

One of the more imposing skyscrapers of the Chicago skyline is the 100-story John Hancock Center.  When completed in 1969, the 1,127 foot tall skyscraper was the second tallest building in the world.  The building, nicknamed "Big John", is home to offices, restaurants, and 700 condominiums - one of which Jerry Springer calls home.  On the 44th floor is America's highest indoor swimming pool.   And on the 94th floor, an observatory  provides panoramic views of downtown, the Chicagoland area and Lake Michigan.

Let's join Anna 1000 feet upstairs for a breathtaking look at the Windy City...after a couple of messages from Dr Pepper, the most original soft drink ever.

Throwback Thursday:    Just over 50 years ago actress/singer Donna Loren became the "Dr Pepper Girl" as the company vied to appeal to a younger demographic.   From 1963 to 1968, Loren was the face and voice of Dr Pepper commercials, many of which were filmed in Chicago, like the ones below that also featured characters from the long-running cartoon "B.C."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jwk3SIh-BQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouI8-BNuTBA

Looking southeast from the top of Big John, the historic Navy Pier juts out into the frozen waters of Lake Michigan.   Built in 1916 for docking freighters, the Navy Pier of today is Chicago's lakefront playground of amusements, shops and restaurants.  Almost nine million visitors enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Navy Pier in 2013.

A view to the north reveals an oasis of outdoor activities for residents and tourists.    The area includes Lake Michigan beaches that are packed on midsummer days (not so much when the temperature hovers around zero), bike and walking trails along almost 18 miles of lakefront, and recreation opportunities for all ages.

Anna Across America - Chicago

Frank Sinatra sang about Chicago being "My Kind of Town" and here's why 2.7 million residents of the city will agree.   Sing it Frank . . .

http://youtu.be/rbGekkds1mU

Now that you're snapping your fingers and smiling like Anna on a can of Dr Pepper, let's learn more why Chicago is everybody's kind of town.   The third most populous city in the country, Chicago has something for everyone:  an economy that is rated as the most balanced in the United States, museums that rival any in the country, numerous parks, theater and the arts, a wide range of major sporting events, and cuisine that reflect the city's ethnic diversity (don't leave town without having a Chicago favorite Italian beef sandwich with a Dr Pepper).

Enduring more than 70 inches of snow this winter, Chicagoans are a hearty bunch - a tribute to their hard working immigrant ancestors who swelled the population of the city in the late 1800s and whose diversity is both celebrated and appreciated by its citizens today.

Celebrating Our Worldwide Audience

In the last few weeks, our audience of "Anna Fans" has included daily viewers from Germany and Poland.   Almost 12 percent of Chicago's population trace their ancestry back to one of these two countries.   We welcome these viewers to our little corner of the worldwide web in addition to new viewers from Russia, France, and Saudia Arabia who have visited so far in 2014....not to mention the hits this site gets from Anna and Dr Pepper fans from all over the United States.

The worldwide appeal of "Anna Across America" is particularly noteworthy because of the passion that Anna and her sister Martha have for travel - not only in the United States but to all parts of the globe.   The sisters have an appreciation for not only the beauty of this earth, but the diversity of its people.  And their favorite drink, Dr Pepper, with its distinctively original taste is bringing the world a little closer together, too.    Let's celebrate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRfW9k_g2pM

Dominating the Chicago skyline for 40 years is the Willis Tower, known as the Sears Tower until naming rights were sold in 2009.    A 108-story 1,451 foot tall skyscraper, it was the tallest building in the world when completed in 1973 and held that title for 25 years.   From the 103rd floor observation deck,  Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin can be viewed on a clear day.   Interestingly, the design of the tower was inspired by a pack of cigarettes of differing heights.

The Chicago Riverwalk offers visitors spectacular views of the city's architecture along public walkways at the water's edge.  The Riverwalk features cafes, boat cruises, bike rentals and strolling along a beautiful promenade, under a canyon of skyscrapers in the Windy City.

No landmark in the Windy City is as recognizable as Wrigley Field, home of major league baseball's Chicago Cubs.  Built in 1914, Wrigley Field is the second oldest major league park behind Boston's Fenway Park.  Affectionately dubbed "The Friendly Confines", Wrigley Field and its ivy-covered outfield walls evoke the beauty of the national past time.   This distinction is a bit of a consolation for Cub fans who have never seen a World Series title won in this stadium, the last title claimed in 1908.

Perhaps, the Cubs could end their century-old title drought by taking a cue from their football counterparts across town.   In 2012, the Chicago Bears struck a deal with Dr Pepper, which will be the exclusive provider of soft drinks at Soldier Field.   We hope those "lovable losers" from the Chicago's Northside don't get the hint . . . Anna and the editors at Anna Across America are St. Louis Cardinal fans.

One of the most beloved of all Cub fans -- Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Caray -- has an equally beloved restaurant in the heart of Chicago.  More than 15 years after his passing,  the life-loving spirit of Harry Caray is truly evident at Cubs game (particularly at the seventh inning stretch) and his namesake restaurant.

A passion for McDonald's has been a trademark of Anna's family for years.   So it is a thrill to bring the Anna / Dr Pepper can to the site of the first McDonald's that was opened by corporation founder Ray Kroc -- paving the way for more than 34,000 restaurants serving 68 million customers in 119 countries today.   Located in the Chicago surburb of Des Plaines, the First Store Museum (at left) is a replica of Ray Kroc's first store, which opened in 1955, along with an original sign.   Of note, this is not the original McDonald's, which was opened by the McDonald brothers in California, but rather the first under Ray Kroc who later bought the company and transformed the fast food industry.   Beginning in 2009, Dr Pepper became available in all of the U.S. McDonald's (previously about 40 percent of U.S. sites served a rival product).

Editor's Note:  The Anna / Dr Pepper Can reaches new heights when we return on Thursday with the conclusion of her trip to Chicago.

Anna Across America - Atlanta Motor Speedway (NASCAR Edition)

Heralding this weekend's start of the 2014 NASCAR season, Anna and Dr Pepper visit Atlanta Motor Speedway.   On Sunday, seven hours away in Daytona Beach, Florida, racing's most famous words "Gentlemen and Lady (with a nod to Danica Patrick) Start Your Engines" will signal the start of another thrilling season of stock car racing on NASCAR's elite Sprint Car circuit in the Daytona 500.   The season will make its way to Atlanta Motor Speedway on the Sunday before Labor Day.

Anna's sister Martha, who lives 18 miles away from the venerable race track, returns as a Dr Pepperazzi contributor in this dispatch.

Our blog's sentimental favorite to win NASCAR's Sprint Cup in 2014 is the #23 Dr Pepper car, driven by Alex Bowman.   The car was renumbered from #93 to #23 this year to reflect Dr Pepper's unique 23 flavors that make it the most original soft drink ever.  Bowman will be behind the wheel of BK Racing's Dr Pepper Toyota Camry for the first time at the Daytona 500.  The 20-year-old Bowman, who has been racing since he was seven, is in his first year of Sprint Cup racing.  Bowman qualified for Sunday's 500 mile race in Daytona and will start the field in the 29th position.   Go #23!

The speedway, located 25 miles south of Atlanta, had its humble beginnings in 1960.  In those early years, one of the ticket takers was none other than future President Jimmy Carter.  The crowd capacity has grown from around 25,000 then to 124,000 today.   The 1.54 mile oval sees speeds approaching 190 miles per hour.   Dale Earnhardt holds the record for most wins at Atlanta Motor Speedway with nine.    In the 1980s, the track was featured in several movies including Six-Pack, starring Kenny Rogers, and couple of Burt Reynolds' films Stroker Ace, and Smokey and the Bandit II, whose opening scene can be enjoyed by clicking the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZTXTdq6nzE

Anna Across America - LaJolla, California

La Jolla, an affluent enclave 12 miles north of downtown San Diego, extols the geographic beauty of Southern California and the Pacific Ocean.   Sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, and high cliffs with breathtaking vistas add an air of exclusivity for the well-heeled in flip flops who call La Jolla home -- at an average price of $1.7 million.

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Dr Pepper 101:  OK, class, most of you were not born until decades after the departure of the last Dr Pepper bottles containing the numbers 10, 2, and 4.  However, it is important to know the history of these famous numbers.  According to our friends from the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco, Texas, research in the early 1900s showed that sugar provided energy and that the average person experiences a let down at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.  Dr Pepper soon came up with the marketing slogan "Drink a bite to eat at 10, 2, and 4.". The numbers became a huge part of Dr Pepper's marketing beginning in the 1930s and still appeared on bottles until the late 1960s (as witnessed by the groovy ad from the decade below):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1gZkf_-UyI

A colony of Harbor Seals began staking their claim on this La Jolla beach about 20 years ago and today are a major tourist draw given the up close viewing of the seaside mammals, offered from the beach and pier.  The colony of seals estimated at around 200 spend 30-40 percent of their time lying out on the beach, which is necessary for their survival.

Anna Across America - San Diego

Come join Anna and Dr Pepper in sunny San Diego.  The picturesque city  just 20 miles from the Mexico border is inhabited by 1.3 million residents, making it the seond largest city in California.  San Diego is considered the birthplace of California, a mission having been established here in 1769.  The city was formed in 1889, just a few years after the first Dr Pepper was poured in Waco, Texas.  San Diego hosts the largest naval fleet in the world.  Among more than 50 ships in port are the mega aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson and USS Ronald Reagan.  The area is also home to the world renowed San Diego Zoo.  At left is a view of the San Diego skyline and bay from Coronado Island.

In tribute to explorer Juan Cabrillo, who was the first European to discover the area on behalf of Spain, and in recognition of Dr Pepper's appeal in the Hispanic community, take a look at this Dr Pepper advertisement for the Spanish speaking population who enjoy the most original soft drink ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4RurMSkCXs

San Diego is the permanent home of the USS Midway, the longest serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century from 1945 - 1992.   Since 2004, the Midway is home to one of the premier naval museums in the world with more than 1 million visitors every year.  More than 60 exhibits and 25 restored aircraft are featured on the massive carrier - truly a floating city that provided defense for the United States and its allies all over the world.  The USS Midway deck, seen at left with the Anna Can, has become a popular media venue.   Two years ago, an NCAA basketball game was played on the deck between Syracuse and San Diego State.   The Midway has also been a filming site for American Idol and The Bachelor.

On the cusp of Spring Training, Anna and Dr Pepper visit Petco Park, the home of baseball's San Diego Padres since 2004.   The view here is from the stadium's unique "Park at the Park".   On game days, fans can enjoy the action from the park located beyond the right-field fence for a mere $5; at other times, it is a free public park for area residents and visitors.

Anna Across America - Space Center Houston

Space Center Houston at the Johnson Space Center welcomes visitors to experience the exhilirating history of space exploration.  The Johnson Space Center is the training center for the United States astronaut corps as well as international partners.  And it may be best known for its identity as Mission Control for all U.S. space flights.  The Space Center is truly a place of historical significance.

Speaking of history, Dr Pepper has a rich marketing history in its 129 years as the most original soft drink ever.  The first known slogan for Dr Pepper, dating back to the 1900s, was "King of Beverages".

A pair of T-38 Talons on display at the space center represent the 32 T-38s used by NASA for astronaut training in Houston.  Also used as chase planes for the shuttle, these supersonic jets can reach speeds up to 858 miles per hour and can achieve an altitude of more than 30,000 feet in one minute.

A full-sized shuttle mockup at the Space Center visitors complex will soon be perched atop a modified Boeing 747.   The new exhibit debuting in 2015 will tell the story of how shuttles were sometimes ferried across the country after returning from space.  The shuttle replica was previously displayed at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Anna Across America - Legoland California

In tribute to this weekend's theatrical release of The Lego Movie, we visit Legoland California.  Located in Carlsbad, California, Legoland is one of five Lego-themed amusement parks in the world and one of two in the United States (the other U.S. park is in Winter Haven, Florida).  Legoland California, which opened in 1999, features 60 rides, shows, and attractions as well as a Lego-themed hotel.

Dr Pepper 101:   Let's celebrate the different variations of the most original soft drink ever:  Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper 10, Diet Dr Pepper,  Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper, Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper,  Dr Pepper Cherry, Diet Dr Pepper Cherry,  Caffeine Free Dr Pepper, Caffeine Free Diet Dr Pepper

A highlight of a visit to Legoland is spending time in Miniland USA.  The 1:20 scale model Miniland USA features architecture and symbols across America including New York City (at left), Las Vegas, San Francisco, Washington, D.C.,  New Orleans, New England, and Southern California.   It took 20 million Lego bricks and three years to construct Miniland USA.

Anna Across America - Fort Lauderdale

Sunny Fort Lauderdale and its beautiful beaches beckon more than 11 million tourists each year  - from the rich and famous on their multi-million dollar yachts to the hoi polloi at the Holiday Inn.

The city and its name traces its roots from the 1830s and the Second Seminole War.  Three forts were built in the area, which was named Fort Lauderdale for William Lauderdale one of the fort commanders.

Fort Lauderdale was the original Spring Break destination for winter-weary college students, dating back to the 1930s, rising to prominence in the 1960s after the release of the movie Where the Boys Are, and then falling out of favor in the early 1980s.

Yachts big and small (but mostly big) inhabit Fort Lauderdale's 300 miles of navigatable waterways, thus the city's moniker "Venice of America."  More than 42,000 boats call Fort Lauderdale home, most of them docked in one of 100 marinas and boatyards.   Naturally, the areas is a major manufacturing and maintenance center for yachts.   The boating industry is responsible for more than 109,000 jobs in the area.

Anna Across America - Cowboys Stadium (Super Sunday Edition)

Although the Dallas Cowboys are 19 years removed from their last Super Bowl appearance and will be 1,500 miles away from today's festivities, the home of the most valued football team in the NFL (per Forbes) still echoes with the sounds of a recent Super Bowl past (XLV in 2010 when Green Bay defeated Pittsburgh).

Recently named AT&T Stadium, but more commonly called Cowboys' Stadium, the domed behemoth that rises 300 feet out of the Dallas suburb of Arlington was built at a cost of $1.15 billion and opened in 2009.   The stadium features a retractable roof and seats 80,000 for football with expandable standing room that brings the capacity to 105,000.  Need more facts about the home of "America's Team"?   The stadium uses more electricity on game days than the entire country of Liberia.

The Anna / Dr Pepper Can was warmly received at the stadium as the most original soft drink ever is prominently advertised inside.  In the photo at left note the Dr Pepper logo above the goal post.  This is the site of the stadium's unique Dr Pepper StarBar, a 17,000 square foot square foot deck that accommodates fans on game days and private parties and events.    After Cowboy touchdowns, all eyes turn to the StarBar that explodes with flashes of light and color highlighted by the 30-foot Dr Pepper logo.

On a Texas-sized video board, the fourth largest of its kind in the world, Anna and Dr Pepper stand really, really tall as fans look on in amazement.

The video screen measures 75-feet tall and 160 feet wide -- stretching from one 20-yard line to the other.  By our estimate, the Anna Can is about 25 feet tall on the screen at left.   The video board, nicknamed the Jerrytron for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, is suspended 90-feet above the playing field, weighs 1.2 million pounds and contains (get this) 30 million light bulbs.

In the past three months we have hung out in some pretty cool places across America , but, folks, the Anna Can will never get bigger than this.

The blue star logo of the Dallas Cowboys is one of the most recognizable symbols in all of sport.   Equipment manager Jack Eskridge is credited with designing the blue star logo.  Eskridge, who passed away last year at the age of 89, was one of the first hires by legendary coach Tom Landry before the Cowboys' debut season in 1960.

Symbolizing Cowboys connection to the "Lone Star State", the blue star is prominently displayed on the 50-yard line.   A couple of players from opposing teams have dared to disrespect the star, including a young Terrell Owens - then of the San Francisco 49'ers.   For his antics in flamboyantly celebrating on the star, Owens was decked by the Cowboys' George Teague and fined $25,000 by the NFL.