Things I Like - Odds & Ends

There's something about water fountains that make me happy. I remember watching Buckingham fountain in Grant Park from the window of my office on Michigan Avenue years ago. I used to enjoy the light show that started when it got dark. I also learned that the fountain closed down at midnight. And not because I was out walking around in Grant Park at that time...

Check out some of these fountains from around the world:

Parc Diderot, Courbevoie la Defense, FranceFrom JML Consultants, they have some very cool public space fountains in Europe. Be sure to click on the photo for a close up - that's water, not gravel.

Water Clock - Arcos de Valdevez, PortugalThe local people know the time by looking at the fountain which gradually moves around the roman numerals.

King Fahd's Fountain - Jeddah, Saudia ArabiaKing Fahd’s Fountain is the highest fountain in the world, throwing water up to 1023 ft (312m) - that’s higher than the Prudential Plaza building here in Chicago and only 25 feet short of the Chrysler building in New York.

Charybdis - Seaham Hall, Sunderland UKFrom William Pye, a fountain designer - all of his designs make you look twice, this vortex fountain is wild.

World's largest fountain - DubaiThe building of this fountain was announced last summer, supposed to be operational some time this year. I'm guessing that umbrellas will be big sellers on windy days.

Giant Faucet - unknown locationHow did they do that?? Photo by Bill Liao

Green Giant - AustriaI really hope that this one is in some out of the way place, far from any sign of human habitation...it certainly would suprise a lonely hiker.