Never Ending Chicago Winter

Growing up near Chicago has trained me for winter and I’m used to much more snow than we’ve been getting in recent years. What is it about this year’s winter that has everyone I know pleading for it to end? Despite the lack of snow it seems we’re well below average temperature for March. I don’t mind the cold, but I miss the sun.

Officially Winter

I can deal with the cold temperatures, it’s the weeks without sunshine that get to me during the Chicago winter.

Frozen city

Hazards of parking in the gutter

Streets full of ice

Traveling Through 2012

Despite my lack of updates, I managed to take quite a few trips this year. Only a few were non-work related but I try my best to spend a little time in each city I visit. Both St. Louis and Detroit trips were in and out in one day, but I always arrange extra time in New York and D.C.

Who knows what sort of travel is in store for me in 2013, but I hope for at least one international trip. I’m still toying with the idea of biking around Iceland but, for now, all I know is I’ll be visiting New York and Atlanta.

January: Washington D.C.

Air and Space Annex Museum at Dulles Airport, Virginia

February: St. Louis

Daytrip to St. Louis

March: Virginia, Syracuse

Small plane from D.C. to Syracuse

We had Dinosaur BBQ twice in Syracuse

Cartwheeling at work in Syracuse

April: NYC, Jersey City

Manhattan by air

Visiting with Sema (who I last saw in Kyrgyzstan), cartwheeling on the High Line

Jersey City sunset

May: NYC, Jersey City

Afternoon spent in parks and museums in NYC

Have I mentioned how much I love the New York High Line?

I managed to get my client to go with a Star Trek theme this trip

Chicago Twilight

July: Washington D.C., Detroit

Modern art, including “The Art of the Video Game” exhibition, in D.C.

Museum hopping and seeing friends in D.C.

My first time in Detroit – one day in the suburbs

August: Denver

My first ever overcast day in Denver, visiting my sister

September: Connecticut, Houston

Connecting flights to Connecticut

Sunrise on the way to Houston

November: Sydney, Pittsburgh

Who knew Sydney was so gorgeous? I can’t wait to go back.

My time in Sydney was way too short, and the flight way too long with no TV in my seatback

SYD > LAX > ORD > PIT

A dreary first visit to Pittsburgh, testing the limits of my carryon with a 16-day trip

I finally reached the lowest level of status on United, halving my boarding number and scoring me an exit row

December: Boston

Business trips to Boston mean cookie cutter hotels and plenty of lobster

Boston’s topography is totally different than I thought

Flying home to Chicago for the last time in 2012

Chicago Open Streets: Milwaukee Avenue

I may be a bit behind on my posting, Chicago’s Open Streets happened in September. Even so, I wanted to post about it because it was an interesting event. One and a half miles of Milwaukee Avenue was shut down for a good part of the day in Wicker Park. I was hoping it would simply be a clear open street for cyclists, but small areas were set up with activities like 4-square, fencing and areas for kids to play. As nice as it was to casually ride down Milwaukee without worrying about being doored or running over a jaywalker, I pointed out to friends that this happens every Sunday and holiday in Bogota and, although this is a start, I hope we can make streets safe and open more than once a year.

4 Square Players

Milwaukee Avenue

Fencing Demonstration

Officially Fall

Chicago was beautiful yesterday, the trees full of yellow leaves glowing against a bright blue sky. Today is overcast and dreary, reminding me that the winter is coming. Summer in Chicago is so great that, even though I know it will end, it’s always hard to see go.

Rainy fall day

Chicago view from Streeterville

Farmer’s Market

Latte at Gaslight Coffee Roasters

Meet, Plan, Go! 2012

Less than a week to go until Meet, Plan, Go! I’ll be speaking in a breakout group at the Chicago event this time around, but there are tons of amazing and experienced travelers at all of the events.

So, if you’ve ever been jealous of my trips and wondered how you could possibly travel around-the-world or long-term get yourself to Austin, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, South Florida or Toronto next Tuesday, October 16th.

Our lovely host, Lisa Lubin, was on WGN news last week talking about the Chicago event (watch the video here). The event has historically sold out, so get your tickets now if you plan on going and don’t want to risk door tickets selling out. Still unconvinced? Here’s ten more reasons to attend this year.

Meet, Plan, Go! 2012

Circus Birthday

Growing up, my birthdays were rarely big celebrations. My birthday hits so close to the beginning of the school year that the classroom cupcake policy was never in place and friends weren’t reconnected with from the long summer break. As an adult I haven’t done much to celebrate other than go to my mom’s house (this year we went out for Chinese), and have a day to myself. I often go for a long bike ride or draw at a museum. This year I decided to go to the circus.

Appropriate circus shoes

Bike tricks

Although I loved all the acts, especially anything hanging from the ceiling and the amazing pole dancer, my favorite act of the night was Luisina Rosas on the German Wheel. As a child my parents gave me stilts, a pogo stick, juggling set and a unicycle but I never thought to ask for German Wheel lessons.

German wheel

Check out this demo reel from her website, around the 1:30 mark:

Summer Turns Into Fall

I’ve spent some time testing Robin out along Chicago’s fantastic lakefront path. Here’s the view a few weeks ago where the path ends on the northside. The beaches have been officially closed since Labor Day but Chicagoans hold on to summer as long as they can.

Meet Robin, My New Sidekick

After months of searching, comparing and test riding I finally bought my newest bike. His name is Robin and I’ve been riding him around the city, testing his speed on longer rides. When my non-biking friends heard my big news they asked what I planned to do with Francis, my cream bike. He’s not going anywhere.

Lakefront Path at museum campus

Promontory Point

New 31st Street Beach playground

Fullerton & the lake

Lincoln Park

August bike brunch

Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Botanic Garden