Archive for the ‘Adventures’ Category

Aug
2

Smoky Siesta: The Wrong Side Of The Mountain?

Continuing our Smoky Siesta story, we left off in Nashville, after spending an evening enjoying some great BBQ and music.  Before continuing on to the Smoky Mountains, we spent a little more time in Nashville the next day by visiting the Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art.

Steve is framable!

Steve is framable!

Since we've done a lot of the normal tourist stuff in Music City in the past, it was nice to explore something different and new.  Also, given that we recently became members of the Chicago Botanic Garden, we got discounted admission because of a reciprocal admissions program run by the American Horticultural Society.  In this case, membership actually did have its privileges!

Welcome to Cheekwood, stay for the pineapple

Welcome to Cheekwood, stay for the pineapple

Cheekwood is a lot different from the botanical gardens I'm familiar with.  In reality, it's more like a historic estate that happens to have gardens on the property.  In this case, that estate was owned by a couple who made a lot of money after creating Maxwell House coffee… a brand that originated in Nashville (named after the Maxwell House Hotel downtown, no longer in existence).  Eventually, the 55-acre property was opened to the public in 1960.

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Aug
2

Smoky Siesta: Chicago to Nashville

Our Smoky Siesta kicked off on Friday afternoon as we drove from Chicago down to Indianapolis and spent the night with my cousins, the Huston family.

Steve loves road maps!

Steve loves road maps!

On Saturday we drove across town and visited with another set of cousins, the Carpenters. It was great to catch up with these extended members of our family that we don't see that often.

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Aug
0

Heading out on a Smoky Siesta

Amy & I are hitting the road today for a little vacation time, with the eventual goal being a North Carolina cabin in the Smoky Mountains.  Along the way we'll stop off and visit with some extended family, and visit one of our favorite cities, Nashville.

Smoky Siesta

We're taking a Smoky Siesta!

Here we go!

Aug
0

500 Miles

The other day I reached a personal goal that I was rather excited about.  So far this summer, I have biked a total of 500 miles around the neighborhood and on various trails in the city.

Mileage tracked by RunKeeper.com

Mileage tracked by RunKeeper.com

As a recreational cyclist, I know that's not a big deal to those who bike all the time, especially daily commuters.  However, considering that I'm riding a 20-year old mountain bike that I've modified for hybrid street/trail riding, I'm pretty stoked by hitting that number.

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Aug
0

Summertime Out and About

Aside from the massive amount of cycling I've been doing this summer, Amy & I have tried to free up our evenings to do "summer things in the city."

Steve digs Jazz

Steve digs Jazz

Last week, the Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz series returned to Millennium Park. From now to the beginning of September, every Thursday night features a great free jazz concert. I like to call it a "Poor Man's Ravinia."

Live from the Jay Pritzker Pavilion

Live from the Jay Pritzker Pavilion

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Jul
2

Double July 30 Anniversaries for Steve & Amy

For Amy & I, the date of July 30 holds special memories because it marks the anniversary of not one, but two memorable milestones in our relationship.

First Date: July 30, 1994

First Date: July 30, 1994

Our first date was 17 years ago on this date, yes, back in 1994.  After looking at the above photo from our first date, here are a few tips.  First of all, if you are driving to a date on a hot summer day, don't floor it with the sunroof open.  Your hair might get messed up.  Also, your glasses will be too big.

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Jul
1

Wet Limestone is Messy: Green Bay Trail

Over the weekend, I rode part of the Green Bay Trail, which is located at the northern portion of Cook County. This trail parallels the Union Pacific North Line railroad tracks, used by Metra to serve their North Shore clientele. It starts in Wilmette at the south and runs up to Highland Park for about 9 miles, hitting Kenilworth, Winnetka, and Glencoe, along the way.  Once you cross from Cook County into Lake County, it connects with another trail (Robert McClory Bike Path) that continues north towards the Wisconsin border.

Green Bay Trail trailhead

Green Bay Trail trailhead

I picked it up in Glencoe, having parked at the Chicago Botanic Garden.  The trailhead was about a mile east of the Gardens, right down Lake Cook Road. It rained shortly before I rode, so there were puddles and wet spots found on the crushed limestone trail.  This being the summer of "new bike trail discoveries" for me, I enjoyed exploring something new as I rode, but due to time constraints only got to ride a portion.  We'll solve that in a future ride!

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Jul
1

Trash Cans of the Chicago Botanic Garden

OK, so maybe it's only one trash can. But I couldn't resist! Don't worry, I won't be launching a MagicalTrash.com spin-off any time soon!

Trash Can at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Trash Can at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Anyway, it was another "Date Night" at the Chicago Botanic Garden for Amy & I this week. A swing band by the name of Bopology was performing, so we packed a dinner and enjoyed a cool evening.

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Jul
2

Zonio in the City

Recently my friend Henry Zonio was in town and visited with us for a couple days. Here's a former children's pastor who moved his family from Canada to the Bay Area to pursue higher education.

Henry & Steve

Henry & Steve

We're often a stopover when he passes through the Windy City. In exchange, I send him some beverages to review from time to time!

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Jul
1

Mountain Biking at Winona Lake

Over the July 4 holiday, Amy & I visited with my sister Karen and brother-in-law Brian at their home in northeastern Indiana. They live on a lake, which is pretty awesome during the summer months. They are also pretty close to an awesome set of mountain bike trails at nearby Winona Lake.

Steve & Karen get ready to ride!

Steve & Karen get ready to ride!

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