At 24.75 miles long, Chicago's Western Avenue is reputed to be the longest street in the world.

On July 15, 2002, I decided to see for myself. Around 9:40 a.m. I started from 119th Street with water, sun screen and a camera -- and nowhere I needed to be for a long, long time. More than eight hours and 195 city blocks later, I crossed Howard Street on Chicago's northern boundary.

Next time, more water.