Lake Michigan Archives

06/19/2018

Add Boating to Your Summer Plans

** This post is sponsored by Discover Boating but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I have shared quite frequently that I love being on or near water. Turns out I am not alone in that: 142 million Americans go boating each year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. And summer is the best time to spend on a boat! There’s just something so relaxing about being on the water. It feels like you’re on vacation, even when you’re not. You get to experience a familiar or new place in another fun way! That’s why Graham and I try to make boating a part of our travels wherever we go.

Examples of how to incorporate boating in your travels:

In Hawaii, you can charter a boat and hire a guide to spend the day whale watching and swimming with dolphins. There’s so much to do on a boat in the state!

In San Francisco you can take in a different view of the city, especially the Golden Gate bridge, while on a sailboat. You don’t need to stay on land to explore a new place.

In Chicago you can take your boat (or boat rental) down the river or spend a day in the “play pen,” where you can interact with other Chicagoans on the water. Or you can cruise in a yacht and soak in the sunset and skyline views. That is one of our favorite things to do in the summer.

You can find ways to spend time on a boat, whether at home in your city or many miles away, by checking out Discover Boating’s Go Boating Today tool that generates local options for boat rentals, classes, charters and more, by simply entering a city or ZIP code. I searched for boating opportunities in Chicago and found many options. Examples in Chicago include renting an island party boat on Lake Michigan! How fun does that sound?!

You don’t need to own a boat to experience what it’s like to have a vacation on the water, but if you’re ready to explore buying your own, Discover Boating’s Boat Selector tool lets you find what type of boat fits your lifestyle and budget. Discover Boating also has information on youth boating programs, classes and lots more!

Do you have any plans to go boating? Let me know in the comments!

5 Boating Activities in Chicago

Chicago Summer Goal: Get On The Water

Connect with Discover Boating:

Discover Boating Website

08/07/2017

Warren Dunes State Park | Testing the Drone!

Recently I shared my camping and road trip essentials and prep list in anticipation of our weekend. We had planned to go to Indiana Dunes, but at the last minute we decided to change our destination to Warren Dunes State Park. It reminded us a lot of Nordhouse Dunes, where we camped last summer.

We tested out the DJI Mavic Pro drone for the first time, too! We only have a little bit of footage because the flying time is only 27 minutes, which was longer than most of the other drones we saw available.

About Warren Dunes:

It’s dog-friendly and the dog areas are clearly marked. They must be on leashes though.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited and rangers/officers patrol the beach, citing anyone who has them.
You can rent kayaks and paddleboards!
You’ll need an umbrella, because there’s no shade.
Out-of-state residents pay $9 per day or $32 for an annual pass.
It’s only an hour and a half from Chicago, but it took us more than two hours to get home on Sunday evening.

Watch our video at Warren Dunes!

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07/31/2017

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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01/03/2017

Phoenix Virtual Half Marathon 2016

Just after Thanksgiving, I signed up for a virtual half-marathon. I was feeling a little lost since the Chicago Marathon. I wondered, what’s next? The Phoenix Half Marathon was offering its virtual race to earn the first of five medals that will form the Copper Star: one large, amazing medal that will take five years to put together.

I was in. I wasn’t in Phoenix for the first race earlier in 2016, so I signed up for the virtual half-marathon with plans to run it in Chicago by Dec. 31, 2016.

I don’t know what I was thinking.

I guess I didn’t expect Chicago to be so frigid in December because up until that point the weather had been mild. It may have been wishful thinking. Soon we had days in which the wind chill made the real feel -17 degrees or so, according to my weather app. There was no way I was running outside. I spent the month training at Orangetheory at least twice a week, with an occasional yoga class. I found myself on New Year’s Eve morning debating whether I should attempt to run the 13.1 miles with few outside running miles since November and early December. (I haven’t been running outside regularly since I trained for the Chicago Marathon, actually.) December 31 was the last day to submit my time to the Phoenix Half Marathon. It was a now or never moment. Sure, I could have run the half-marathon on my own in Phoenix when I visit this month, but I would have not met my December goal, and I could not let that happen. I am someone who has to accomplish something once I write it down. I have to cross it off my list.

So I layered up, threw on my running hat and gloves, and ran out the door. The run was sunny at first, which gave the illusion of warmth. That wind, though. The wind took my breath away. I tried to stay calm, keeping my pace as slow as possible. It was about 11:30 minute/mile for the majority of the time. Needless to say, I wasn’t doing this to beat a time PR. Something told me I just had to complete one more half-marathon in 2016.

Quite a few people were on the Chicago Lakefront Trail that morning. I tried to keep my mind on my music, how grateful I am for this incredible year we’ve had, and the bright, cool running gear I saw other people wearing. I had to focus on anything other than the wind that was slapping my face for two and a half hours. It wasn’t even the windiest Chicago day, but it was enough to make 39 degrees feel much, much colder. (Let me remind you I am an Arizona baby.)

I completed my half-marathon with many thoughts running through my mind. Most of them involved blessings, hopes, plans and memories. I am glad I ran this race, even if I did it alone and in Chiberia, as Chicago is so aptly called. It reminded me that I have a lot to be thankful for, and I can accomplish anything I aim for in 2017.

Happy new year, readers. I am grateful for each one of you.

09/21/2016

My Favorite Things I’ve Done in Chicago

I’ve tried to explore Chicago as much as I can since moving here in March 2015. I love trying different things to do and checking out new restaurants. I like to share the activities I have enjoyed most so far with anyone who is visiting Chicago for the first time. All of these fun things to do are easily accessible from the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago, which is conveniently located in The Loop, or downtown. The hotel puts you just moments from popular Windy City attractions like Millennium Park, where you can take your seemingly required “Bean” selfies, and the Lake Michigan lakefront. The Chicago skyline is gorgeous (see above), and this hotel lets you be in the middle of it. Plus the hotel has amenities like rooftop and indoor pools, a fitness center and pet-friendly rooms!

My picks for must-do things in Chicago:

Architecture cruise on the Chicago River.

Chicago Cubs games at Wrigley Field (or White Sox game at the Cell if you prefer). Both are just a short train or car ride away.

Taking in the views from the John Hancock Tower and Sears (Willis) Tower. You don’t need to pay for a ticket to the observation towers. You can grab a drink from the Signature Room if you don’t want to feel like a tourist!

Walking, running or riding a bike along the Lakefront Trail.

Eating at local restaurants! It is tough to nail down a specific place, because Chicago has so many amazing food options. And if you venture outside of the Loop you can find even more amazing eateries.

Attractions near the hotel that are still left on my Chicago bucket list:

Art Institute of Chicago
Field Museum
A show at Chicago Theatre

It’s easy peasy to book a stay at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel by joining Carlson Rewards, if you haven’t already. By joining, you get the Members Only Rate Exclusive from Club Carlson, which saves you up to 10 percent more at participating hotels when you book directly on Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group (that includes Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson) brand websites and mobile apps. You can also enter to win 30,000 Club Carlson points — did I mention hotel stays start at 9,000 points?! (To be eligible, you must be a member of Club Carlson (or become a member).

In addition to the rate exclusive, Club Carlson members get perks such as:

• 20 points per U.S. dollar spent on rooms and food and beverage buys, plus food and beverage discounts.

• Elite status after just 10 eligible stays.

To enter the giveaway for 30,000 points, sign up to become a member and visit the Carlson website to find hotels! Comment below with where you would travel. Please provide an email address or social media handle so I can contact the winner and obtain your Club Carlson account information.

Giveaway rules: No purchase is necessary to win. Winners must be 18 or older and live in the U.S. to participate. Club Carlson will deposit the 30,000 points in the winner’s Club Carlson account. I will notify the winner via email and obtain the winner’s Club Carlson account number. The winning entry must follow the rules stated above. The winner will be selected randomly and notified by email on October 10, 2016. The winner must reply within 48 hours or another winner will be selected from the remaining entries.

UPDATE: THE WINNER WAS CHOSEN AND NOTIFIED. THANK YOU FOR ENTERING.

09/08/2016

Summer Send-off: Lake Michigan Sunset Cruise

I’m not really sure why people are so eager to wish summer away. I’m in no hurry to get into cold temperatures. Labor Day may be the unofficial end of summer, but it very much still feels like summer in Chicago. Nonetheless, we said goodbye to the season with a sunset cruise on Lake Michigan after a day of exploring Garfield Park Conservatory.

I bought our tickets to the cruise on the Anita Dee II on Groupon for less than $24 after I used a promo code. If you’re wondering what a lake cruise on one of these yachts is like, it’s basically a nightclub on a boat. Before we boarded we were offered a drink special of 3 for $20 if you paid with cash while waiting in line. Graham and I, of course, never have cash, so we paid $8 per drink on board. I chose a rum punch (that tasted like summer) to drink while we cruised away from DuSable Harbor.

View as you pull away from the harbor, which is just south of Navy Pier.

If you take one of the 90-minute cruises next summer, I recommend getting in line early so you can find a good spot on the yacht. The seats and tables will fill up quickly, especially on the upper deck. Also, a line immediately forms at the bar, which takes cash and credit cards. One complaint: No food is served on the boat. Who doesn’t get hungry when they drink? Graham and I spent the first part of the cruise on the top deck before heading down to the bottom for a different view. We found a quiet spot on the back of the yacht where we could relax and take photos. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the view of sunset silhouetting the Chicago skyline can’t be beat. I didn’t want the night to end.

We spent the last portion of the cruise indoors people watching. By the end of the cruise people have the liquid courage to dance. It was entertaining and fun to watch adults of all ages dance to the same inappropriate, unedited lyrics. Graham kept trying to get me to dance but I was too embarrassed, or something. I definitely didn’t want to go to the dance floor. I was happy hanging out on the sidelines. (Introvert quirks!) Plus, some 50-year-olds were really showing me up!

Have you been on a cruise on Lake Michigan? What did you think? Check out my video below and subscribe to my channel to see more of our adventures.

* Note about parking: We found a spot near the harbor on SpotHero. Use my referral link to get a discount on your first spot.

07/07/2016

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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07/06/2016

Fourth of July Weekend Recap

Chicago is an incredible place to spend Fourth of July. Fireworks start Thursday during that holiday weekend and continue nonstop through the Fourth. People love setting off their own fireworks, and the madness intensifies as the day goes on. By the end of the night on the holiday, you can sit next to the lake and watch an unofficial show. Of course, you can watch the Navy Pier fireworks and many other planned shows around town, but I loved seeing the random bursts of light as people light their own displays (although it does get loud and scary).

Fourth of July afternoon was spent at the Chicago Cubs game, because what’s more American than baseball? We arrived before gates opened to get in line for the giveaway: a camo apron. Truth be told I am not a camouflage person, but I won’t pass up a giveaway!

After the game, Graham and I walked over the the pier in our Rogers Park neighborhood to see what the commotion was. We could hear so many fireworks reverberating through our block that it sounded like a war zone. Our dogs seemed OK for the most part, though they did get excited at some of the louder booms. I think I was more startled than they were.

We watched the bursts for some time until it was time to check on the dogs again. This Fourth wasn’t as intense as last year, when a person ran up and down our street lighting fireworks until 2 or 3 in the morning. Thank goodness for that!

The next day was my vacation day I took to channel Ferris Bueller at the Cubs game. Again, I arrived 30 minutes before the gates opened because the giveaway was something I was interested in: an Anthony Rizzo off-the-tarp catch bobblehead. I had so much anxiety built up as I waited in the longest game line I’ve ever had to be in, but I was successful in getting one!

How did you spend your Fourth? Do you ever like to take days off to do random stuff? Let me know in the comments! Also, check out my video below and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

09/25/2015

Lake Michigan Sunrise

It only took me six months of living in Chicago to wake up early enough for a Lake Michigan sunrise. It was well worth it for the gorgeous skies.
I ran to the beach with my camera, only to find I had forgotten my memory card. Great, I got up early for nothing. I could have tossed and turned in bed for at least another hour. I wasn’t about to waste the opportunity, so I ran back home to get my memory card and made it back in time.

Rogers Park, sunrise, Chicago, Lake Michigan, Floradise

Early bird catches the worm, right?

Mindy Kaling once wrote, “There is no sunrise so beautiful that it is worth waking me up to see it.” This is one thing I disagree with her about.

Add caption

I wasn’t alone on the beach. Dog walkers, runners and coffee drinkers joined me.

Rogers Park, sunrise, Chicago, Lake Michigan

Graham has begged me for months to get up early with him to watch the sunrise. I can now see why. Will I do it every day? Maybe not. I’ll try sometimes though. Have a beautiful day!
post signature

09/20/2015

Our First Anniversary

It’s Sunday morning and Graham has been at work for hours. He’s the hardest-working person I know, and he does it for us, so we can have fun and plan for the future. I am immensely proud to say I’ve been married to this loving, generous person for one year now.
Graham is my Number 1 supporter in anything I do, including writing this blog. He pushes me to be a better person, reminds me often that I said in my vows I would be more affectionate, and surprises me with doughnuts regularly. He calls me out when I’m being a brat, and he reminds me how special I am when I need to hear it. As cheesy as it sounds, he’s my best friend.
It’s been a wild ride. We’ve done it all in this first year: We laughed, we cried, we bickered, we made up, we danced, we sang — we even moved across the country!
To commemorate our first anniversary, and our new life in a new city, we asked Abigail Joyce Photography to take some photos of us. We are so grateful she worked so hard to get these back to us quickly.

Abigail Joyce Photography

Graham,I love you, my loveliest lovely. Because words are failing me, I’ll borrow some from Johnnyswim:We don’t need calligraphy
To write a fancy story
Kings and queens return to thieves
To find what we’ve been holding
You and me
We can take the world.

Oh sweethearts give sweet compliments
But our love goes without saying
Though you make it hard not to spill my heart
Every time I see you swaying
Darling you and me
We can take the world. Darling…

Cause they can write stories
They can sing songs
But they don’t make fairy tales
Sweeter than ours
They can climb mountains
High into the sky
But they can’t take the world
Oh, like we can take the world

Oh I can see
The future you and me we last forever
In the rising tide
No fear or fight
That we can’t face together
Darling you and me
We can take the world

Cause they can write stories
And they can sing songs
But they don’t make fairy tales
Sweeter than ours
And they can climb mountains
High into the sky
But they can’t take the world
Oh, like we can take the world, the world, the world.

Oh…

Ain’t it just like love to find us
Ain’t it just like love
Ain’t it just like love to find us
Ain’t it just like love
Ain’t it just like love to find us
Ain’t it just like love

Cause they can write stories
They can sing songs
They don’t make fairy tales
Sweeter than ours
Oh they can climb mountains
High into the sky
But they can’t take the world
Oh no, no … like we can take the world.