Thanks for the tip moofie & blaze! That area has been "under
construction" for about 2 years (Chicago: "the city that works") -
looks like the work finally started the day you got there. Its still
possible to continue on to the letterbox through that section, but the
signs are all mixed up during the construction, so I had to ask
someone how to get through. The clues below are revised just a bit to
reflect the new route through the construction area...

Clues
Start at the Michigan Avenue bridge. Follow the stairs half way down
to the Wendella Boat Landing. Here you will find an entrance to the
Chicago Underground system of streets.

Entering the portal, continue in this direction for two short blocks
to a place to get something to eat, something to eat, something to eat
and drink.

With a full belly to sustain you on your hike, now you are ready. Look
for a staircase nearby. Stand on the stairs, facing down the
staircase, and walk in this direction. Continue on and over the bridge.

After you have crossed the bridge, look to your left for a passage
which starts between 111 and 333. Follow this all the way until it
ends, where you will find a door.

Cross the hall, headed for the south shore. On the platform, look for
an exit back out to the street.

Follow the left-hand sidewalk very nearly to the end of the colonnade,
where you will find the box hidden at the base of a pillar.

A few caveats for this box: Please remember that this is an urban
letterbox. The underground passageways you will follow are all public
passages. They are not dangerous, but you should be alert and aware of
your surroundings. A sizeable number of people have made their homes
in the Chicago Underground since the 1930s. If you do not bother them
they will not bother you. The letterbox is not hidden in an area where
you might intrude upon these people. Please be very discrete in your
search for the letterbox. With all the current fears of mysterious
packages hidden in high-traffic areas, it is imperative that you keep
the existence and location of this letterbox a secret. Once you find
it, you may want to move away from the immediate area to stamp up.

Good luck!
Matt the Rat
Chicago

--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "moofie" wrote:
> april 25, 2003.
>
> looked for the chicago underground box today. could not find it.
there is
> some construction and an area that is closed off inside the metra
station.
> is this where the steps back to the street are?
> tried to go up and around in the car but not sure if we were at the
right
> spot. any help available out there?
>
> moofie and blaze
> milwaukee wi