Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts

28 October 2007

Chicago on Two Wheels


Chicago bike tour
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.
When doing a little research prior to my trip to Chicago, I happened across a company that does bike tours of various neighborhoods.

I thought this sounded like an engaging way to see parts of the city that were new to me, and get some physical activity before spending the rest of the day on a cramped airplane.

We covered 7 miles on our Schwinn city cruisers in three hours. A leisurely pace, to be sure, but a fun to way to meet others visiting the city and learn a little history along the way.

29 September 2007

Six Pic Saturday: A Crafty Renegade Affair


Renegade owl
Originally uploaded by Katherine H
15 September 2007

Feeling assured that I could find my way back to the hotel, I set out to explore the Renegade Craft Fair in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago.

I must admit a bit of a fascination with an online website for all things handmade. Twice a year, the crafty folks at etsy, host two Renegade Craft Fairs. I missed the one in Brooklyn, but the one in Chicago? Uh, sure, I could make that one.

blue line buddha

The CTA Blue Line Buddha greeted me each time I emerged from the underground station to catch the #8 bus on Halstead Street.

ricotta tart

A quick stop at the Milk & Honey Cafe on Division Street yielded a tasty ricotta tart for breakfast before I hit the pavement to explore the booths.

three sheets

One could find all manner of handcrafted items to expend their hard-earned cash on. Myself, I'm a little partial to letterpressed cards and stationery. This booth had lovely linen pillow slips, canvases, and bags.

hardy boys

This trio of college students was gleefully searching the bins for old Hardy Boys books deconstructed into spiral-bound journals.

business cards

It was almost as much fun to examine the unique business cards I collected from the vendors once I returned to the hotel!

13 September 2007

Shhhh.....


calla lilies
Originally uploaded by Katherine H.
In a handful of hours, I will leave my car in long-term parking and settle into travel mode as I point myself eastward toward Chicago. A self-imposed break, of sorts, although I need no reason nor excuse to fuel my wanderlust.

Why Chicago? I could cite a list of opportune circumstances convening to make this possible, but none of them will reasonably explain the trip. A cheap plane ticket. Free hotel nights. A reluctance to let go of the carefree days of summer and succumb to the fading daylight of autumn.

I have been to the Windy City once before, on an extended weekend trip with my sister. We stared upward at architectural icons, and gazed downward across Lake Michigan. We ate deep dish pizza and admired exhibits at the Art Institute. We took a boat tour on the river and watched Buckingham Fountain. We walked a lot.

This time, I want to see the city in a different light. And so, with recommendations from a friend who calls the city home, I am off on a solo trip…