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.
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…
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…
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.
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…
You all know I love a group bike ride, especially when there’s dressing up to be had. Last year’s Seersucker ride was huge, with great turnout and Wheelmen on Penny Farthings. This year was a little different. Although last year’s ride was plagued by 100° heat, this year’s ride suffered from torrential downpours. We started…
I found myself working in a high rise last week, which gave me great views of the sunset over the Westside. The Kinzie Avenue bridge is always good for a photo op, when biking over the Chicago River in the fabulous protected bike lane. A few minutes after turning North on my way to dinner…
Last weekend was Chicago’s Air & Water Show—the most visited Chicago event of the year. Having been before, I wasn’t upset to only catch the finale before battling crowds to walk North along the lakefront.
This weekend Chicago was filled with Lollapalooza revelers from around the world. The first year I attended the new version of the festival in Grant Park it was a manageable size and seemed to draw mostly local music fans. I haven’t gone to the festival in a few years (too big, too hot, too expensive),…
I’ve spent plenty of time in Oak Park, Illinois and still have family there. Even so, I’ve never visited any of the Frank Lloyd Wright sights growing up. When a friend mentioned biking there I decided to tag along—two is better than one when riding through the rough neighborhoods separating Chicago from Oak Park. Before…
My bike is not that common. Over the two years I’ve owned it I have only seen one other like it in Chicago. That’s why I was so surprised when I walked out of a shop to see another Garry Fisher Simple City 8 cross frame locked next to mine. I left a happy note,…
I know it’s summertime in Chicago when I see Oberon on tap. This week I went to the opening of the Chicago Design Museum, watched Breakfast Club on the rooftop of Whole Foods while sampling New Belgium beers and attended a lecture by Debbie Millman… and it’s only Wednesday.
Last week was a time of travel firsts for me—the first time I’ve flown to another city and back in one day, and the first time I’ve had a flight cancelled. Our entire plane had to be re-ticketed on the flight back from St. Louis when the plane was grounded due to a mechanical problem.…
Tonight was the monthly Critical Lass ride in Chicago. It wasn’t too cold and we rode a really interesting route from Ukrainian Village through West Town’s manufacturing district to Humbolt Park. Bicycling in industrial areas on the west side is fun because you happen upon unexpected factories and incredible views of the Chicago skyline through…
I was already having a pretty good day, but it was made even better when I walked up to my bike and found a valentine in my basket. On my ride home I saw the women leaving valentines on bicycles all the way up Milwaukee Avenue. Happy valentines day, ladies!
On the way home from celebrating the other night I walked past this sign at my L station. It’s a nice message to start 2012 with. Happy New Year folks!
This Saturday was full of fun bike riding. I headed down to the Loop before 8am and was amazed to bike across the river and turn left onto Wacker Drive with no traffic to worry about. REI was having its annual garage sale for members (something I joined before RTW #1 back in 2004), and…
Can you believe this year is the 25th anniversary of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off? To celebrate, Chicago’s Groupon put on a showing of the film in Wrigley Field. For $10 my friends and I sat in the bleachers Saturday night, while others picnicked on the outfield. Before the game we all broke the Guinness Book…
It’s hard to believe that it has already been a year since I was on the first Meet, Plan, Go! panel in Chicago. Two of the women who attended Chicago’s talk last year are already on their own RTW trips. Katie cornered me after the event let out last year because she’d never met anyone…