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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

7 Favorite Things to Do in Chicago

Favorite Things to Do in Chicago During the Summer

Every summer that I’ve lived in Chicago I create a summer bucket list of things I want to do during the season. This year I am simplifying the process by sticking to just my favorite things to do in the city instead of trying to do everything. Completing my check list will be a bit more challenging with two kids, but I’m up for the task!

My favorite things to do in Chicago:

  1. Standup paddleboarding: I have really enjoyed trying SUP as a way to get a workout and see the city from a different viewpoint. It’s also a nice way to get away if you think about it: everyone’s on the beach and you get some of the lake to yourself while on the water.
  2. Kayaking on Chicago River: Graham and I had a memorable date night on a sunset river kayaking tour and I hope to find the time to try this again.
  3. Baseball game at Wrigley Field: No summer is complete without baseball! (You can sub a White Sox game if that’s your jam, I guess.)
  4. Architecture tour: The evening architecture tour on the Chicago River doesn’t get old. I like to do this whenever we have visitors.
  5. Sunset cruise: Graham and I have done this cruise on Lake Michigan every summer. We love the views.
  6. Running on the lakefront path: I want to train for the Chicago Half in the fall, and I miss the trail! I plan to sign up for group training again.
  7. Brunch (bonus points for a rooftop!):  Sure, you can have brunch any time of year, but it’s the best and most fun during the summer when you can sit on the patio with your mimosa(s) in hand.

What would you add to this list? Have you visited Chicago during the summer? What was your favorite thing to do?

Related posts:

Chicago summer bucket list and on-the-go photo tips
Chicago spring bucket list

Lava and Rainforests Adventure with Paradise Helicopters

** This post has been sponsored by Paradise Helicopters of Hawaii. All opinions and images are my own.

Big Island Hawaii Lava and Rainforests Adventure with Paradise Helicopters

I’ve crossed off something that’s been on my bucket list for a long time during our Big Island vacation: seeing lava! During our honeymoon in 2014 Graham and I had hoped to see the lava but we weren’t able to; at the time it wasn’t flowing toward the ocean and we could only see the crater and billowing smoke at an overlook in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Thanks to Paradise Helicopters, which sponsored my ticket for the Lava and Rainforests Adventure tour, I was finally able to make that dream a reality!

Our Lava and Rainforests Helicopter Tour on Big Island of Hawaii:

I have been looking forward to our 45-minute doors-on helicopter tour with Paradise Helicopters from Hilo Airport for months! At the time of booking, we had planned to stay in Hilo for a night or two, but we eventually decided to only stay on the Kona side of the island. That meant that we awoke bright and early one morning for our one and a half hour drive to Hilo. The directions were simple: Park in Hilo Airport’s main terminal public parking and the check-in desk is directly across the street under the Paradise Helicopters sign. Hilo Airport is small, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding Lobby 2. They first weigh each member of the party (wearing anything you’re bringing on the tour, like your camera) and then you hear the safety restrictions. You are free to use the restroom or hang out in the lounge while you wait for the safety briefing, during which you learn how to wear use your headset, plus hear other important information about where to walk on the runway, as well as many volcano puns. haha (FYI: You may not bring extendable camera sticks!) The briefing includes a seat assignment; our flight was scheduled to have four passengers.

After our safety briefing we had some sad news: Our tour was canceled because of bad weather that was hampering visibility in the area where we would be flying to see the lava. Tip: Try to plan your Paradise Helicopters tour in the beginning of your trip so that you can reschedule for another time or day if needed because of the weather, which is ever-changing and unpredictable.

Don’t worry, though, we were able to rebook for Sunday morning! Plus, when we arrived back at check-in we found out we would be the only passengers on our flight. At the last minute we decided to make it a partial doors-off tour to appease the birthday guy in our group. 😉 I requested to keep my door on because I am terrified of heights! The ground crew was so nice and helpful, and V didn’t seem afraid at all as they buckled her into her seat.

 

 

 

Paradise Helicopters in Hilo, Hawaii
Be sure to walk along the painted lines as you head toward the helicopter. Follow the instructions from the ground crew.
Doors-Off Helicopter Tour of Hawaii Lava and Rainforests
A doors-off Paradise Helicopters tour was also leaving from Hilo Airport at the same time.

Our pilot Pete flew us south toward and over the various lava flows that have occurred over the years before we made it to the active crater.

It’s amazing to see how the trees are left lying on the black hardened lava rock.

You can also see a portion of a road that is still visible after it was cut off from the rest of the island during a lava flow.

Old Hawaii Road Cut Off By Lava

 

I was in awe of the patches of forest I would see among the black rock.

Hawaii Lava Rock and Rainforest

Lava is currently erupting from Kīlauea at its summit and from the Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent on the East Rift Zone. The lava activity is constantly changing, so if seeing the lava flow into the ocean is your goal, be aware that it isn’t always happening. The Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park website constantly provides updates. As you can see in the video and photos I took, lava flow is scattered across the plains.

Seeing the red snaking lava flow was surreal.

Lava Helicopter Tour with Paradise Helicopters

I was impressed our pilot could see the lava so easily in the brightness.

It’s a bit tricky to snap photos of the lava from a moving helicopter, but the pilot will circle around so you can get your shot.

Lava and Rainforests Adventure with Paradise Helicopters in Hawaii, Big Island

After circling the crater while listening to “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash, we heading back north over the forests and toward the ocean. Our pilot wanted to fly over water since we had those handy floatation devices attached to us anyway. The remaining part of the helicopter tour was a flyover above Hilo and some of its waterfalls, including Rainbow Falls. We also passed over Hilo Bay and some of its surrounding hotels before heading back to Hilo Airport.

Lava and Rainforests Adventure with Paradise Helicopters, Big Island, Hawaii

Hilo Waterfalls from Paradise Helicopters Tour

FYI: You can tip the pilot and staff in envelopes at the check-in desk. Also, parking is not validated, so be prepared for that.

Tips for Paradise Helicopters tour with toddler and while pregnant:

  • Check with your doctor to make sure you are OK to fly. If you’re feeling nauseous you might not enjoy the flight and it may not be a good idea.
  • Be aware that the vibration of the helicopter could affect your lower back pain, if you have any. Again, check with your doctor.
  • Our toddler wanted to sit with me halfway through the flight and was sad she couldn’t. We should have asked which parent she wanted to sit with to avoid any crying.
  • It gets super windy, especially if you take the doors-off flight. Bring a jacket and wear pants and closed toe shoes!
  • A ground crew member will buckle the child into his/her seat, or you may do so if you’re more comfortable.
  • It’s best if your child can grasp how to use the microphone/headset system. V started crying because we couldn’t hear her until she figured out how to push to talk to us. Then she was happy!

 

 

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Is seeing the lava in Hawaii on your bucket list as well? Have you ever done a helicopter tour? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!

Connect with Paradise Helicopters:

Paradise Helicopter Tours Hawaii

Related post:

Exploring Hilo, Hawaii

My Chicago Summer Bucket List & On-the-Go Photo Tips

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerIsForSavings #CollectiveBias #WFM2



Summer is breezing past us, and we still have many items left on our Chicago summer bucket list. Some of these activities I would do as part of my own self-care, and some would be fun to do as a family! My goal for the next weeks is to do as many of my wish list items as possible. I’ve already tried kayaking on the Chicago River and a mermaid fitness class, along with countless beach days, so with about seven weeks of summer officially left, I have exactly seven activities  left to do in the city. Sure, I’ve done most of these before, but they are certainly worth doing every year!

My Chicago summer bucket list for 2017:

1. Attend a new street festival. You can find a food, music or arts festival just about every weekend in the summer!

2. Embark on an architecture cruise on the Chicago River. These tours never get old!

3. Go stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Michigan. I have tried SUP before, but I want to master it while taking in city views!

4. Watch a movie in Millennium Park. I recently went to a concert at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, where the movies are screened, and it reminded me that I never actually watched a movie there. Movies in the parks are a fun way to spend an evening, and they’re free!

5. Practice yoga on the beach. Outdoor yoga is so much fun!

6. Send summer off with a cruise on Lake Michigan. We’ve done this every summer since we’ve lived here.

7. Stroll around Lincoln Park Conservatory. Taking photographs of plants is one of my favorite activities.

Ready, set, go!

In the past I’ve shared my ideas to save money for travel, but there’s one more thing I’ve done to help me pay for fun, whether it’s exploring Chicago or visiting a new place. I wanted to capture the memories we create this summer and save money while also investing in my myself and my goals for this blog. With that in mind, I turned to Walmart Family Mobile’s $49.88 PLUS Plan (Unlimited Talk, Text & Data Plan), which is powered by T-Mobile’s nationwide 4G LTE† network. I wanted to have a new tool to keep me connected, help me store and take photos, consolidate my photo and social apps in one place, and give me more flexibility. It was super easy and convenient to get started on Walmart Family Mobile’s $49.88 PLUS Plan and it includes up to 15 GB of 4G LTE† data, then 2G*. I picked up the LG L59 Grace from the selection of phones at Walmart and then getting activated took only a few minutes. There’s no contract and you can keep your phone number and even your phone.

 

Using the phone and the expanded 15 GB of 4G LTE† data helps me not only share my memories on social media and my blog more seamlessly, but it helps me keep more of a balance between my blog and my family life. It’s a plus that the monthly $49.88 PLUS Plan is easy on my wallet and has no activation fees or late charges, and you can pick from Walmart’s clear monthly plan options to fit your own budget.

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to this page or your local Walmart for current pricing.

 

Taking/sharing photos on the go this summer:

  • Don’t rush to get a shot. When you are in a hurry you are more likely to shake the camera or phone you are shooting with, which yields blurry photos. Take a deep breath and slow down. That means don’t worry about what other people think about you snapping a photo or getting your photo taken. Take your time.
  • Try multiple angles and poses. Instead of taking a phone at eye level with your subject, try getting down low or taking the photo from above. Step forward and back (while checking where you are stepping) to take the photo. Take the same photo at least three ways.
  • You can use either your camera and phone to take great photos. When using your phone, turn on the Pro or HDR setting and download photo editing apps to help you.
  • For the photos on my camera that I want to share instantly, I use a mobile adapter that was fairly affordable to send them to my phone and then upload them to social media using a Nikon app. It takes just a minute! The little adapter plugs into my camera and then I can see and download photos on my phone. I then share where I please.
  • Find the best natural lighting to avoid using the flash. I prefer photos without flash because they look more natural and better overall.
  • Use a tripod with a remote to take fun time-lapse photos (like when you watch fireworks at Navy Pier!). Tripods can be found in all price ranges, and often another object can act as a stand to keep your camera still as well.
  • Organize all your photo apps, social media and related apps in one folder on your home screen to make them easily accessible on the go. Don’t waste valuable time that could be spent exploring your city!

 

My home screen on the LG L59 Grace has folders for my social media, photography and other frequently used apps.

 

 

 

 

Besides offering the data to suit your needs, the $49.88 PLUS Plan also provides a free VUDU◊ movie rental credit valued at $7.00 each time you renew your service.

What’s on your summer bucket list? Share it with me in the comments!

*Please always refer to the latest terms and conditions at myfamilymobile.com.

†To get 4G LTE speed, you must have a 4G LTE capable device and 4G LTE SIM Card. Actual availability, coverage and speed may vary. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.

Disclaimer: ◊Limited time offer. Available for lines active with the PLUS $49.88 plan only. VUDU enabled device and account required for digital viewing. Customers must be 18 years or older to open a VUDU account. Movie rental only available in the USA. Free movie rental provided in the form of a movie rental code to the value of a $7.00 VUDU credit. Movie rental code allows for selection from available movies for rent. May not be readily redeemable on all new releases. Code will be delivered within up to 24 hours of the effective account renewal date. Must be used within 30 days of receiving code. Offer is non-transferable. Limit 1 per customer. Additional terms and conditions on VUDU’s website: http://www.vudu.com/termsofservice.html

Connect with Walmart Family Mobile:

Twitter: @FamilyMobile

 

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Chicago Spring Bucket List

Spring is finally here, though Chicago has yet to get the memo. The only way I can get through the remaining weeks (days, I wish) of this weather is to plan all the fun activities I want to do this season. Thus, another Spring Bucket List is born!

Here’s what I have on deck:

  • Take three Dabble classes. I have my eye on a summer cocktail class, a jewelry-making class and hopefully at least one other. As I’ve said before, Dabble is a great way to find your next hobby and you can use code MARETTE10 to get 10 percent off your first class! 
  • Plant my garden. We’ll be heading to our favorite gardening shop soon to pick out way too many plants and garden supplies. I CAN’T WAIT.
  • Volunteer at the community garden. The Petersen Garden project in Chicago has countless opportunities to volunteer. 
  • See Hamilton Chicago! I bought tickets to Hamilton months ago and our show date is quickly approaching. This will be a highlight of the season.
  • Run the Chicago Spring Half. I have about nine weeks to train for the Chicago Spring Half. It was a fun race last year and I like that we got a free plant to take home.
  • Go to as many Cubs games as possible! Enough said.
  • Visit the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. I haven’t been there, but it’d be a nice place to practice my photography skills this spring.
  • Go to a farmers market. Fresh veggies from local farmers — what could be better?

What’s on your spring bucket list? Need some inspiration. Find some ideas below!

Travel Wish List | 5 Places to Go

** This post contains affiliate links.
Canva

I was inspired by the New York Times’ 52 places to go in 2017 article to share five places I have on my travel bucket list. Some are half a world away and some are right next door, as you will see below.

What’s on your travel list?

Five places to consider:

1. Thailand is at the top of my list. If I could go anywhere in the world right this second, it would Thailand. My friend wrote an article about it after her recent travels, calling it the country of contrasts. It seems so intriguing to me and perfect for the kind of activities that Graham and I like to do. I also want to learn about its temples, food and culture. Learn more about traveling to Thailand on its tourism website.

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2. Canada is our neighbor to the north, yet I have never been there. I’ve already created itineraries; we just need to get there. I read in the New York Times that Canada’s parks are offering free admission this year, making it the perfect opportunity to go. Explore the country by territory or province on the Keep Exploring Canada website.

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3. Iceland is on my list for its wonders: Blue Lagoon, Northern Lights, glaciers, and more. I want to see and do it all. One of my best friends just traveled there and told me it’s beautiful and that the food is delicious. It made me want to go as soon as possible! See the Visit Iceland website for ideas on things to do.
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4. Alaska has long been on my dream list. As a lover of the outdoors, I prefer places where I can do lots of outdoor activities and Alaska in the summer seems perfect for that. Denali National Park is on the top of my list. If you need help planning, the state of Alaska will send you a brochure in the mail. 

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5. Australia is a dream trip that I can’t wait to take. In addition to the Great Barrier Reef, I would love to visit a turtle rehabilitation center as well, as they are my favorite animals. I would also love to see and explore the Outback. Get more ideas on what to do in Australia on its tourism website.

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Our Canada Road Trip Itinerary + a Radisson Giveaway!

Graham and I have been planning a trip to Canada for a while. I recently read an article about amazing places to go in Ontario and I became inspired to plan a 2017 road trip from Chicago. The destinations we want to check out in Ontario are only about 7-8 hours away, and since we are pros at road trips — we have done three 1,700-mile road trips! — the distance doesn’t seem far at all.

One of our cross-country road trips in 2015.

We will save 20 percent on our Ontario hotels when we stay at Radisson and book with Radisson’s Advance Purchase Rate. 

Our road trip would go to Niagara Falls first, where we would stay at the Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview, Ontario. We would try to book one of the rooms with a view of Horseshoe Falls.

Then we would head to Radisson Admiral Hotel Toronto-Harbourfront. Its SPLASH Pool Patio and Terrace overlooks Lake Ontario and the CN tower.

Our last stop in Ontario would be Kitchener Waterloo, where we would stay at the Radisson Hotel Kitchener Waterloo. Its location makes it easy to check out some of our ideal destinations below.

What we will do at each destination:

  • Toronto: Check out the views from the CN Tower. We’d also go to a baseball game to see the Toronto Blue Jays play at Rogers Centre. (If visiting all major league stadiums is a goal of yours as well, print my ballpark checklist below!) Lastly, we’d shop and dine at local businesses.
  • Kitchener: Day trip to Webster’s Falls, one of 100 waterfalls in the Hamilton area. We’d also explore the Huron Natural Area for a hike. The hotel also puts us close to historic St. Jacobs Village, which has river trails and charming shops.
  • Fallsview: I’ve always thought it would be fun to do a Niagara cruise, and the Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview is just six minutes from this activity! I’d also like to check our Journey Behind the Falls, which takes you through bedrock tunnels to see water crushing down in front of you. We could also have lunch or dinner at Skylon Tower to get a different view of Niagara Falls.

Want to go on a Canada vacation? Create your own dream Canada trip with Radisson and take advantage of savings of up to 20 percent by visiting the website. Also, to help you plan your next Canada getaway, I’m giving away an e-certificate for a stay at a Radisson hotel!


Enter to win a Radisson e-certificate:

Check to see which Radisson is near your favorite Canada destinations and share where you would go in the comments for a chance to win a certificate that’s valid in U.S. or Canada! Winner will be randomly selected on Oct. 3 at noon Central Standard Time. Winners must be 18 or older and live in the U.S. No purchase is necessary to win. There will be one winner and the winner will be chosen via a random name generator. Winner will receive the e-certificate via email. I will reply to the winner below to notify that he or she has won. If winner does not respond within 24 hours with an email to send the prize to, another winner will be chosen. Good luck!

Want an extra entry? Sign up for my newsletter with the toolbar at the top of this page.

UPDATE: WINNER HAS BEEN CHOSEN AND NOTIFIED.

Related: MLB check list

More on road trips:

Fall Bucket List

I sat down to write my 2016 fall bucket list and quickly realized I wrote almost the exact same activities as I did in 2015, so why reinvent the wheel? I’ll be customizing the above activities for the Chicago area, of course, like I did last year.
For the stroll at a garden or park, I’ll most likely visit Morton Arboretum.
For apple picking, hot apple cider, corn maze and pumpkins I can visit All Seasons Orchard. I’ll definitely also be eating apple-cider doughnuts. Actually, to be honest, I didn’t really like the cider all that much, so let’s make that local apple ale. Why not?
Last year I made a pie with Granny Smith apples for Thanksgiving, and I’ll likely make that again. Not to toot my own horn but it was pretty good. 
I’d also love to go on a fall foliage drive to Wisconsin, but if that doesn’t fit into our schedule I know I will see some fall colors in Chicago as well.
I plan to reprise my gratitude list from last year and find any way I can to give back, whether it’s donating canned food, volunteering or giving to a cause.
Last but not least, I will be watching “Hocus Pocus” many times. “Casper” is another Halloween movie that I absolutely adore.
Bonus: Run a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning.
What’s on your fall check list? Share your must-dos in the comments!

September Goals

August was another blur. We say that every month, don’t we? September will be exciting because Graham and I celebrate our second anniversary this month and we are one month closer to some major changes. Baseball season is also heating up, and the Chicago Cubs are a big deal for the Flora family, so we’ll be closely watching and cheering for the team all month long. It’s also my last month of marathon training before the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 9, and I run the Chicago Half Marathon on Sept. 25! Last but not least, I will be heading to Phoenix for a short weekend to see family. I also have hopes for another weekend trip, but we shall see how things play out.

Before I share my September goals, I like to check in with how I did last month.

August goal check-in:

  • Check off five items from my bucket list: Go to Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Field Museum, yoga at Millennium Park, volunteer at a community garden and see a movie in the park. I went to a movie in the park, but things didn’t quite go as planned. I had plans to cross off yoga at Millennium park and volunteering last weekend but both were canceled because of the rain. I also canceled plans to go to Lincoln Park and the Field Museum because of major events that made parking super expensive. I hope to get to most of these in September.
  • Dine out no more than once a week. Graham and I only got out to eat once a week. I did go out to eat with a couple of friends, but it wasn’t anything too expensive.
  • Stay on track with marathon training. Success!
  • Film at least four videos of fun stuff I do this month. Done, but I didn’t post all of them. I decided to re-film a couple of them in September.

September goals:

Recent videos:
I also want to grow my blog community and post more on Instagram. What are your goals for the month? Share them below!

Related posts:


Taste of Chicago

I finally made it to (one of my Chicago summer bucket list items) over the weekend. I was dying to go last year but I had no one to go with. Womp, womp. Normally that doesn’t stop me, but it’s a huge festival that can be kind of intimidating to do alone. I was determined to try Taste after the on Saturday, and I made it happen!

I took the train to Grant Park after the last session and met up with Graham and two of our friends.

We started off with 24 tickets each (12 tickets cost $8.50). We were walking around and mulling over our options when I saw Lou Malnati’s. I had yet to try it, so I rushed over immediately to grab myself a cheese and Graham a sausage pizza. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite.

We next headed to Dia de Los Tamales to grab tamales. I tried the black bean and corn while Graham chose pork. Again, yum! I loved the salsa on top. I also tried my friend’s veggie burger before moving on to Chicago-style fries from Gold Coast Dogs.

It was then time for desserts. We chose watermelon Italian ice from Franco’s Ristorante, then headed to get the Mexican paletas at La Mexicana. I immediately gravitated toward the lemon lime. AMAZING! I wanted another, but instead we tried sea salt and caramel gelato from Franco’s. (We ended up buying another 12 tickets for the last two desserts.)
We probably could have tried more food, but it was time to head home after an exhausting yet fun day.

Have you been to Taste of Chicago?

Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga on Lake Michigan

Photo by Chicago SUPYoga

Last weekend I crossed off another Chicago summer bucket list item. I have wanted to try stand-up paddleboard yoga since last summer, but I let fear and the whirlwind that was my first year in Chicago prevent me from doing it. When plans fell through for Sunday I knew this was my chance. If I didn’t take advantage of a free day, then who knows when I would be able to do it again? I checked Dabble, which is a site that offers classes in tons of topics. Dabble just so happened to have a Fourth of July sale on classes, including SUP yoga. I booked it immediately.

I didn’t know what to expect. Surely I would fall into the water. Would I even be able to stand?
I drove to Montrose Harbor with butterflies in my stomach. Of course, it was extremely difficult to find parking because everyone was at the beach for the holiday weekend. I drove around for 20 minutes before I found a spot almost a half mile away from the Kayak Chicago hut. I checked it right at noon, when classes was supposed to start. I dropped off my belongings and kept only what I was taking on the water: myself, a waterproof camera, a paddle and a PFD. Note: You don’t really need to bring a camera because the instructor, Mary Lou, takes photos during class. I ended up not really using my own camera.

Once we all were outfitted with what we needed, we walked to the beach for an intro to paddleboarding. We all introduced ourselves and Mary Lou covered the basics of how to turn around, where to stand on the paddleboard, how to paddle, and getting onto the board from the water. We even picked our own super heroes to channel during class. (I picked Beyonce, obviously.)

I was nervous about getting into the lake because I was sure it would be freezing, but it wasn’t too cold at all. We pushed our boards in and hopped on. At first I stayed on my knees to paddle before gathering the courage to try standing. I wobbled but committed to standing. It’s an exhilarating feeling to stand and feel the breeze hitting your face. We paddled toward a pier, where we anchored for some yoga. We did several rounds of vinyasas to downward-facing dog. We also did forward folds (both sitting and standing) and lunges. The most daring move we did was standing splits, which can be tricky on the water. I loved every minute of it!

Savasana was spent listening to waves crash near us, putting our arms in the water and feeling the warmth of the sun. We opened our eyes to see the Chicago skyline. I was so grateful for a gorgeous day on the water.

Have you tried SUP yoga? Or just SUP? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!
Chicago SUPYoga can be found on Facebook. Mary Lou offers class packages that make the classes more affordable. 

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