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
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.
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
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!
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
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.
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
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!
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!
Last month, it was great to welcome back an old friend in our community. I'm speaking of the Patio Theater, a historic 1927 movie house here in the city that closed in 2001.
Marquee on the Patio Theater
Back in my high school years, I remember catching films here with my friends. It was a unique theater because of the abundance of seats (1,500) as well as the very cool ceiling, which featured twinkling star lights and projected clouds that moved.
Gloriously repainted lobby
Introducing a new collaborative brew from Steve and Amy, packed with a combination of creativity, compassion, and craziness.
Something new from Steve & Amy
Available in a portable, compact size, and made with all-natural ingredients, you'll be able to find it as part of a "Take 2, Get 1 More FREE" deal.
You won't find this flavor in stores!
While you won't be able to read about it over at BevReview.com, this limited, one-of-a-kind edition is coming this December. Don't miss out!
Summer officially started today, and we celebrated by heading up to the Chicago Botanic Garden for some after-work music as part of their Summer Evenings activities.
The Gardens... and Amy
On Tuesday nights they host "Music on the Esplanade". This time around it was the bluesy Guy King Band.
Sitting outside the McGinley Pavilion
Because of a private event taking place on the Esplanade, they moved the music over to the semi-enclosed McGinley Pavilion.
This weekend we saw Back to the Future screened free at the Portage Theater. Can't pass up a deal like that, can you?
The Portage Theater marquee
The Portage is a historical theater that first opened in 1920, but eventually fell into decline and closed in 2001. It's located in the Six Corners shopping district of Chicago as part of the Portage Park neighborhood. In other words, it's been in my backyard since I was a kid.
Admit Two for free? Sure!
Thankfully, it reopened in 2006, and Amy & I were there to experience that awesome moment. Since then, it's seen quite the resurgence, by becoming the home of the Silent Film Society of Chicago and the Northwest Chicago Film Society, as well as quite a few live events. It was even featured in the 2009 film Public Enemies.
It's still pretty early in biking season, but I've already been pretty active this year. In fact, I've put over 100+ miles on my new bike tires so far.
It's hard to miss Steve wearing this shirt!
I'm doing a lot more riding in traffic and on main city streets, which presents its own set of challenges, including the avoidance of "dooring" collisions with parked cars. Needless to say, it's been an adventure so far!
My friends Bryan & Jen Sampson were concerned for my safety with this increase in urban riding and bought me the shirt featured in the photo above. Although, since the printing is written backwards, does that mean that the only way it will be read is by the driver in their rearview mirror AFTER they've rolled over my body?
New @ TannerWorld Junction