Goose Island, Chicago, Illinois.  An actual island, it’s located in the middle of the city of Chicago and has several large bridges for access.  There’s no residential property on the island itself, just lots and lots of light industrial and warehousing.  It’s a shame, really, because it’s a neat location close to downtown and in the midst of an urban renaissance.

In researching a forthcoming book, Rachel and I went to Goose Island and wandered up and down the streets, peering at the map and stopping the car in the middle of deserted streets to stare up at deserted buildings.

It wasn’t completely deserted, though.  One car, with livery plates (meaning he was driving a limo for hire) waited by a sidewalk next to an empty warehouse.  The driver got out, went around to his trunk, got something out or put something in – we’re not sure which – and then watched us with no expression on his face at all.  He looked like James Gandolfini in the Sopranos.  Rachel wanted to take his picture but, come on, he might BE James Gandolfini in the Sopranos!