On the right-hand side, we are right here at the base of the second tallest building in

the city of Chicago.

People have been telling me for years that I need to go on the Chicago Architecture Boat

Tour.

I wasn't opposed to it, but frankly, it just didn't sound like the sexiest attraction

in town.

Well, I finally went on the tour last summer, and let me tell you, I was wrong.

The Chicago Architecture Boat Tour rocks.

The Chicago River runs through the city, so you can actually float traffic-free through

its skyscrapers.

There's no top on the boat, so you just kind of lean back and look up.

It feels sort of like you're in a canyon.

On the tour, we saw the world's tallest skyscraper designed by a woman, caught a glimpse

of an old building with the relic of a blimp landing still attached to it, and floated

past the fancy gym where Barack Obama and Oprah used to work out.

But then, the tour guide pointed out something less flashy, a compact green, clapboard house

nestled unassumingly at the base of the bridge.

The guide only briefly mentioned the house, basically just pointed out its existence and

then moved on.

But something about that strange little house stuck with me.

And once I saw that first one, I started noticing them everywhere, and wondering about

their stories.

...