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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

Our Stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort in Hawaii

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

We’re typically low-key travelers who prefer affordable places to stay that are easy to get to and conveniently located near the activities we enjoy. However, the booking of our Hawaii trip was a bit last minute because we had to cancel our Puerto Rico plans. That meant that almost all the Big Island hotels in the Kailua-Kona area were near capacity and we had to book whatever was left. We decided to venture a bit farther north to the Waikoloa area because we had skipped that part of the island on our honeymoon trip in 2014. We had heard there were some beautiful beaches nearby that we wanted to check out. With the help of Ebates and Priceline I was able to find a deal on a stay at the Hilton Waikola Village Resort, so we went for it despite the slightly higher price tag than we are used to paying. (Use my referral link to get started on Ebates; you’ll get $10.) Today I want to share the pros and cons of staying at the Hilton Waikola Village Resort.

Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort in Hawaii

Waikoloa Village was like a small village. (Actually someone we met in town called it their Disney World.) We had to take a tram to our hotel room tower and walking to the lobby from the room could take up to 20 minutes (if you’re preggo like me). Overall, though, we enjoyed our stay at the resort. This was where we waited in the basement during the false ballistic missile alert in Hawaii, too.

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Hawaii

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

 

Pros

  • Activities are plentiful.
  • Nice views from the rooms.
  • The lagoon was convenient and perfect for V to swim in. There are plenty of lounge chairs to use and you can rent kayaks, paddleboards and other equipment. You can also snorkel and see fish and turtles!
  • Just about everything you need is available.
  • Close to Hapuna Beach.
  • Spacious, comfortable rooms.
  • The walkway to lobby was also a museum with incredible artwork.
  • You can take a tram or boat to your tower.
  • The resort is gorgeous.
  • Nice shops.

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

 

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

Cons

  • Not convenient to leave the resort.
  • Parking was $20-something per day for self-parking. Also, parking is far from your room.
  • Dining prices were higher as to be expected.
  • Resort fee was $20-something per day.
  • Construction near our tower was an eyesore.
  • Waikoloa is a bit of a drive (30 minutes or so) from Kailua-Kona and seems a bit isolated.  We didn’t like having to drive so far for more food and activity options.

What kind of accommodations do you prefer when you travel?

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RELATED POSTS:

EXPLORING HILO, HAWAII
PU’UHONUA O HONAUNAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK IN HAWAII
Unforgettable Beach Day: False Ballistic Missile Alert

 

Family-Friendly Snorkeling at Kahaluu Beach Park

When we decided to visit the Big Island again, I wondered if the beaches would be suitable for a toddler. Many of the beaches we had visited during our Hawaii honeymoon in 2014 were rocky and the waves were sometimes rough. We were pleasantly surprised by how family-friendly Kahaluu Beach Park, a popular snorkeling beach in Hawaii, turned out to be.

The park doesn’t have a huge chunk of sand, but it has food trucks, picnic tables, a snack shop and restrooms. We spent our last full day on the Big Island at this beach. I relaxed and snacked on nachos (about $6) while G and V swam with the fish and turtles. Tip: Bring water shoes! (You can also rent snorkel gear and get reef-safe sunscreen, though on the day we visited rentals were halted due to the water conditions.) V had a wonderful time in the water and then making sand castles with me. Tip: We purchased a sand castle toy set for about $9 at an ABC Store in Kailua-Kona and we brought it back home with us. A life jacket was also super helpful for us. You can save money by bringing your own beverages and snacks vs. buying from a food truck.

One part of the beach is for surfing and the other is for snorkeling, so be aware of where you are swimming. (Lifeguards were on duty when we were there.)

The Kahaluu Beach Park parking lot filled up quickly, but we found that if you drove around someone was always leaving.

Have you visited Kahaluu Beach Park or the Big Island? What was your favorite snorkeling spot?

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Related posts:

Big Island Fun: Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii
EXPLORING HILO, HAWAII
PU’UHONUA O HONAUNAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK IN HAWAII

 

 

 

Becoming a Mermaid With AquaMermaid Chicago

 

** Thank you AquaMermaid Chicago for hosting me for a mermaid class. All thoughts are always my own.

Mermaid Class with AquaMermaid Chicago
Photo taken with a GoPro, so quality of image differs from my other posts.

Note: Airbnb did a feature on the class I attended. Read it here.


I’ve always been a mermaid at heart. Haven’t we all dreamed of being a mermaid? AquaMermaid helped me make that dream a reality at its mermaid class over the weekend at the UIC Sports and Fitness Center. What a Sunday Funday!

I was a little nervous before the class on Sunday, but I’m not sure why. A fellow student quickly put me at ease with her kindness. I didn’t know anyone else in class, but by the end we were all chatting and having fun together.

We began by getting outfitted with our fins and tails. You first put your feet in the fins and then zip up (in my case, Velcro) your tail up. Then you pull the tail up the rest of the way. That was the trickiest part, but I found that if you lie down it’s a lot easier. If you’re wondering about the fit of the mermaid tails, AquaMermaid has a size chart on its website.

First, what to bring to the mermaid class:

  • Towel
  • Waterproof camera (I bought my GoPro in its new Super Suit.)
  • Googles
  • Swimsuit
  • Moisturizer and lip balm for after class (I wish I had brought these because I found that my skin felt so dry after class.)
  • Lock, if you plan to use a locker
  • Friends!
Once you get in the water, you learn the basic mermaid moves, which we practiced in groups of three. One of them was the mermaid hello, which meant bringing your knees to your chest and waving your tail. The class I attended was for teens and adults, but classes for children 7 and older are also available. Our class had people in their teens to their 30s and 40s. (By the way, AquaMermaid Chicago classes are also available in Ottawa, yPhoenix/Scottsdale, Montreal, Toronto, Quebec, Kitchener-Waterloo and Norfolk County.)
Among the tricks we learned: swimming sideways, swimming in groups holding each other’s shoulders, handstands, etc. It was a bit difficult to swim with the tail on at first, but by the end I was getting the hang of it.

After we learned and practiced the basics, we could move on to the deeper end of the pool to learn more tricks. We also at one point did ab work: Placing our elbows at the pool’s edge, keep our bodies and legs straight and lifting our tails up to the water’s surface, then back down slowly and with straight legs (as in a leg lift). I found it difficult to get the tail up to the surface. We also participated in a relay race, but by then I was beat. (This is when you will need your goggles. You also need them if you prefer to swim underwater.) The class is definitely a workout!

Mermaid Class With AquaMermaid Chicago
Photo by Airbnb

 

The class ends with enough time (about 10 minutes) to take photos, so don’t worry. The instructor knows just what poses to do, too, in case you’re stuck. It’s also a fairly Instagrammable event, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Also, if you find that you fall in love with the class, you can become a member and buy a mermaid tail of your own!

A mermaid class would make a great outing for a group of friends, especially for a birthday. I could see doing this with a few friends and then going to brunch afterward, because you most certainly work up an appetite. A gift card to AquaMermaid would also make a unique gift for an adventurous person in your life. I’d love one! My biggest tip for mermaid class is to have fun and enjoy the laughs!

Questions I received when I shared a post about my mermaid class:

  • Is it hard? In the beginning it can be a bit difficult, but it gets easier. I felt it the next day.
  • Am I too old for this? NOPE! We had teens up to middle-age students in my class.
  • Are men allowed? Guys can certainly attend. Mermen are welcome, too!
  • Can I actually become a mermaid? If you’d like to become a professional mermaid, you can take training via AquaMermaid! How cool is that?!
Also: Parking for the Chicago class was easy to find on Taylor Street, just a short walk from the center. (And it’s free on Sundays, when these classes were held!)

Have you ever considered taking a mermaid class? Doesn’t it sound like fun?



Video: my mermaid class experience:

Half-Marathon Training, Week 1

** This post contains affiliate links to some of my favorite products of the week. I am compensated for purchases made through these links.



I finally started my training for the Chicago Fall Half Marathon last week! I was scheduled to begin the previous week, but I had a work trip to Phoenix that prevented me from joining my group and coaches as planned. I am so excited to start over after failing at half-marathon training earlier this year. Here we go!

Monday: Ran 2 miles to test out our jogging stroller. Graham actually joined me for this run around the neighborhood and park. It was nice to have company, though we had to stop many times because 1. I am out of shape 2. Victoria needed to stop for various reasons.

Tuesday: No workout because it was Fourth of July and I didn’t feel like it.

Wednesday: About 1 mile at group half-marathon training. We had a hill workout in which we did:

  • Lunges up the hill (3 times)
  • Easy runs up and down the hill (5 times)
  • A game of “Turn!” in which you end up running all the way up the hill
  • Short jogs in between (3-4 times)
  • Side shuffles in a zigzag up the hill (3 times)
  • Planks (1 minute each, 3 times)
  • Stretches
  • A jog to and from the hill
Thursday: 1.5 mile run/incline walk on the treadmill. I alternated between running and walking at a 10 percent incline. I was super sore from Wednesday. 
Friday: Light stretching.
Saturday: 3.75-mile stroller jog around the neighborhood. We had to stop to adjust, use the restroom, etc., but for the most part V sat in the stroller and watched her tablet. That’s pretty much the only way I can get her to go on a jog with me. I was proud that I was able to nearly complete my scheduled 4 miles. I wish I could have joined my running group for the run, but I don’t have a sitter who is available at 6:30 a.m. on Saturdays.

Sunday: 1-mile treadmill run/walk after my mermaid fitness class! Yes, you read that correctly. I will have a post up this week on the experience! It was such a good workout.

Total miles: 9.25

Reflections:

I feel motivated going into half-marathon training. I am finally finding ways to work out, like using the stroller and taking advantage of the treadmill at my apartment building.

My goals for training:

  • Stay consistent.
  • Attend at least the Wednesday group workouts.
  • Incorporate more yoga into my training, either at home or in a studio.
  • Match my last half-marathon time. 
  • Track what I am eating. I used to track my calories/macros every day, but I’ve recently neglected that. I’d like to get back into the habit of tracking.
  • Don’t worry so much about my weight.

What are your current fitness goals? Do you think fitness recap posts are helpful/inspiring? Let me know in the comments!


Week’s favorites**:

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Best Pool Floats for Summer

** This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission on purchases made through these links.



If I could change one thing about my home in Chicago, it’d be that it would have a swimming pool. If you have a pool, do you know just how lucky you are? No, really,  do you? The lake isn’t exactly conducive to floating on a large tube sometimes, and in fact floats aren’t allowed. Some rebels like to bring their floats after the lifeguards go home, but I am not so brave. A girl can dream, right? While I attempt to find a pool to float in this summer, I’ll be daydreaming about lounging on one of these floats. (A theme lately on this blog has been wanting to escape on a getaway. Have you noticed?) I’ve rounded up the most fun pool floats to make those long summer days more entertaining/relaxing.

My picks:

  • Watermelon: The fruit screams summer and it’s a unique pool float your friends will want to borrow.
  • Rainbow: Brighten up your day with this fun float.
  • Banana palm leaf rope: Palm prints are a hot trend right now. Plus, this is made to hold two people. Or keep it all to yourself. I won’t judge.
  • Pineapple: Who doesn’t love pineapples?
  • Pegasus: It’s a popular float for good reason.
  • Toucan/tropical bird: Just as fun as the unicorn float, but more colorful.
  • Swan: For the diva among us.
  • Pizza slice: Because yum.
  • Mermaid tail: This is one of my recent favorite pool floats because you can pretend to be a mermaid.
  • Shell: This is another fun sea-themed float.
  • Red lips: A sassy pool float.
  • Cactus: This speaks to the Arizona girl in me.

Which float is your favorite? Will you be lounging on a float this weekend?

 Shop the floats**:

Planning a Family Trip to Belize with Anywhere.com

 

Plan you trip!
Get started planning your trip.

As I shared in my June goals post, we have been struggling to decide on a family vacation destination for next winter. Winter is the only season we can take a big trip because of Graham’s work schedule. We look for several things in a travel spot: Beaches, warm weather (to escape Chicago’s winter), family-friendly options and outdoor activities. We also seek out relative affordability compared with popular destinations.

One of the destination ideas that has come up is Belize, but we wondered whether we could find many activities to do with Victoria. We want to take her along on our trips as much as possible so that she grows up being exposed to different cultures and being open-minded. We also want her to try new foods; her parents love doing it!

I am definitely the planning type, so I like to do my research before deciding on a trip. When I found Anywhere.com, I was intrigued by the idea of having a new guide that actually uses local experts to aid in planning.

First, you start by selecting your trip destination. Then you pick your desired dates and check activities you are interested in. You also select how active of a traveler you’d like to be, from relaxed (not many activities and destinations) to active. You also choose what type of accommodations you’d like: We like affordable but clean rooms, preferably with breakfast included. You enter your estimated budget and how you’d prefer to get around as well (private or shared). Then you enter your name and email/phone.

Why Belize? We don’t like to go to cookie-cutter or one-size-fits-all vacation spots. We wanted the opportunity to try unique outdoor activities and learn more about the Mayan civilization. I’ve always been fascinated by it.

Xunantunich

Within hours of inputting my preferences, my designated travel expert, Andrea, contacted me with a proposed plan. From there you can review your activities and destinations and make changes as needed. If you like what you see, you can go ahead and book. The plan includes the price per person for the vacation, so that there aren’t any surprises. In case you’re wondering, the service is completely free! The travel expert is available via phone call or text,  or you can respond to the email you get with your plan.

Anywhere.com makes planning super easy for those who don’t have time to spend hours searching
online for family activities. My plan included a stay in San Ignacio, which is near Cahal Pech and Xunantunich, two Mayan ruin sites dating back to 1200 B.C.

In addition, we’d stay in beachfront resorts on Ambergris Caye, where we could relax and swim. Of course, the plan you receive is just a starting point. You can add or subtract locations and activities to fit your preferences. I plan to adjust this plan a bit more until we come up with the perfect itinerary, but if you’re short on time and don’t feel like spending hours on research, you’ve got the ideal tool.

 

Top nature activities that caught our eye:

  • Jaguar preserve tour
  • Belize Zoo
  • Monkey River tour

 

Looking to play a family trip to Belize? You can get the process started on the website and then text, call or email your Anywhere.com travel expert for Belize (and other destinations). You can also use my referral link to get a $75 credit when you book a qualifying vacation.

Check out my Pinterest board for Belize vacation inspiration.


Where do you want to travel next? What activities would you do in Belize?

Stay at the Islander Resort | Islamorada, Florida Keys

When searching for an affordable, beachfront hotel option in the upper Florida Keys, I came across the Guy Harvey Outpost Islander Resort. The photos caught my eye, and the resort had decent reviews on Booking.com. I booked a three-night stay for us to explore the Keys during our recent trip.

(If you’d like to try Booking.com, consider using my link.) 
When we drove up to the resort, an outdated sign greeted us. I didn’t remember seeing that in any of the photos, and the rest of the resort was in better condition. The lobby was decorated nicely and the front desk agent was super friendly and energetic. She informed me that we were in a poolside suite, which according to her is the best option. 
We drove up to our unit and opened our door with a good old-fashioned key (no hotel key card). Our room had a full kitchen, something I appreciate because it helps save cash by allowing us to cook some meals. There’s also a screened patio area and lounge chairs outside.

We typically request rooms with two beds so we don’t have to share with our toddler. The room contains a large closet and drawers with plenty of room. (That’s where I found the safe, which wouldn’t open. I didn’t bother asking the front desk for help.) As I found out during our stay, the poolside location is nice, but it does get a bit noisy sometimes during the day. It was convenient when we wanted to go to the pool, restaurant or beach, though.

Have a seat and admire the view from the pier. 

The A/C in the unit was also a bit loud at times, but it wasn’t an issue. We weren’t in the room that much anyway and we only needed it one day.

The laundry came in handy. I was able to do laundry one day for $1.50 per wash and $1.50 to dry. There is no detergent vending machine, though. I bought a $1 bottle of detergent at a nearby dollar store. 
I enjoyed both restaurants at the resort, especially breakfast at Bonefish Flats. The service was great at the latter. (See my previous post for more details on the food and prices.)
Was Islander Resort the fanciest option? No. But it was comfortable and not too expensive. The amenities were nice (You can rent kayaks and other gear at the beach!) and the location was convenient for us. Nearby we found many parks, the scuba diving museum and lots of shops and restaurants. It was about 40 minutes from the Turtle Hospital in Marathon and about an hour and a half from Key West. I would stay here again.

Have you visited the Florida Keys?

Stand-Up Paddleboarding on Lake Michigan | 4 Places to Go Next Summer

As much as it made me nervous, one of my top items on my Chicago summer bucket list was stand-up paddleboarding. I wanted to try it for a year before I finally took the plunge. This summer I was able to try stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Michigan via three different companies. I discovered that not only is stand-up paddleboarding a tough workout, but it’s widely accessible here in Chicago.

The first time I ever tried SUP was during a yoga class I found via Dabble. The class was held at Montrose Beach, and you meet at the Kayak Chicago paddleboard rental shop, where you can store your belongings. This class was $45 for an hour and a half. Of my three SUP experiences, this class was the most helpful in terms of teaching you how to paddle. As I wrote in my post, the teacher spent time in the beginning talking about how to maneuver on the board.
Another place to rent paddleboards is at Leone Beach in Rogers Park. Graham and I tried to rent paddleboards one day so he could try it, but sadly we didn’t realize that the Leone/Loyola Beach SUP company, which sets up outside the lifeguard office, is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during the summer. I can’t speak to how well they set you up to paddleboard, but it’s a nice option if you are in the northern part of Chicago. It costs $20 per hour to rent a board here and they have two locations. Yoga classes and group outings are $35 for 90 minutes.
After our unsuccessful attempt at Leone Beach, Graham and I went to Chicago SUP at North Avenue Beach. Of the three times I paddled, this location had the best view of the Chicago skyline. It’s amazing at sunset! Graham and I rented boards for $30 an hour each, and we ended up paddleboarding with a large group. It was fun to chat with other random people we met on the water. The water on this day was a bit choppy, so I sat for most of the time. I was too sore from Orangetheory Fitness to want to stand. This paddleboard experience was the most challenging. Also, we got here kind of late and without reservations, so we almost couldn’t paddle. The guy ended up saying he had two boards left but we had to carry them to the water. (They can be heavy. Luckily Graham carried mine like a gentleman.) He didn’t provide any instruction whatsoever, because it wasn’t a class.
The last paddleboarding session I went on was via Chicago Paddle Company at Hollywood Beach in Edgewater. This was the trickiest social paddle to get to because Hollywood Beach doesn’t really have a parking lot. My friend and I had to find a parking spot in the neighborhood and then walk about half a mile to the beach. The paddle was called Chicks with Sticks and was held every Monday at 6:45 p.m. On this particular day it was raining, so we were worried the session would be canceled, but it wasn’t. Paddles happen rain or shine as long as the rain isn’t too heavy and there isn’t lightning or dangerous wind. This paddle was $35 but was part of a two-for-one paddle session deal. (I ended up not using the second class before the season ended.) I also didn’t stand the whole time during this session because it was a little choppy. And, as usual, I was sore from marathon training. This paddle was fun because we decided as a group how far we wanted to go, and we went farther from the starting point than the other paddleboarding classes/rental sessions I did this summer.
Have you ever tried SUP? What did you think? I suggest adding it to the itinerary next time you’re in Chicago in the summer!

** Some of these companies are now closed for the season but some are still offering rentals depending on the weather. Check on their websites or call them to make sure.

Camping in Michigan | Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness

Graham and I love to camp. We camped together at Fossil Creek in Arizona for the first time after just a few weeks of dating and we’ve been doing it ever since. When we lived in Phoenix we would often camp once a month or so, but we had yet to camp in the Midwest since moving to Chicago in March 2015. We finally got a chance to remedy that when Graham had three consecutive days off work for the first time in months. We packed up our things (and the pups!) and headed to Michigan to find dispersed camping.

 
We do not like crowded campsites, and we had heard that you can camp anywhere on public lands as long as there are no posted signs prohibiting it. We chose Manistee National Forest as our destination and set off from Chicago on a five-hour drive. Graham and I kept asking each other if we were in Costa Rica when we saw the lush forests along the highway. It reminded me of the greenery we saw on our trip.

 

 

 
When we arrived at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, we didn’t immediately know where to camp. We drove around surveying the area before deciding to keep driving on the forest road. We drove north on 5356 until we found a spot near the Lake Michigan Recreation Area. While we had campers nearby, it was not on a developed campground and we had plenty of privacy.
 
We were so proud of ourselves for having out campsite set up so early in the day. When we camped in Arizona we had always rushed to beat the sunset. It was a nice change to have the entire day off and free to do whatever we wanted. We ate lunch and then set off to check out the Lake Michigan Recreation Area park. To park, you just need to pay $5 and deposit the fee into an envelope and drop it in the box. We walked over to check out the swimming area when we realized dogs aren’t allowed in the swimming area. We decided to walk up the stairs leading to the viewpoint instead. We later walked north from the park to a spot for a swim away from other people.

 

 

 
That night was spent relaxing and catching up. It seems as though I don’t see Graham a lot even though we live together because of our crazy schedules. I loved spending that quality time with no one else there besides the dogs. Dinner was our version of Mexican street corn plus black-bean burger patties on a bed of salad (from a bag) and topped with Colby-Monterrey cheese and salsa. We just hung out. I had limited to no service, so I was not distracted by social media at all. It was perfect.
 
The next day we drove to a nearby country store to get Graham his morning coffee, which was only 50 cents! We made egg burritos for breakfast and then set off for a hike at Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area. This park is dog-friendly so Taylor and Capone could join us on a hike to the beach. Each way was about 2 miles. We chose a less-frequented trail than most people seemed to be doing, but we’re OK with that. It led us to a section of the beach that was not crowded at all, and we swam and played with the dogs for hours. The water was clear, cool and refreshing, and I could not believe the views.

 

Later that afternoon, we headed back on another trail that was on top of a hill. You can see impressive views of the lake and the forest and we did not see one person on that trail. It was even a little nerve-racking because we didn’t know where the trail was heading at first. We later discovered that it rejoins the main trail but was a more scenic route. What a wonderful surprise!

 

 
We finished that day back at Lake Michigan Recreation Area, where we made dinner. I had black bean and vegetable soup and Graham had canned pasta, and each had a quesadilla. We then watched the sunset from the top of a hill above the beach. After all, Graham says one of his goals in life is to watch the sunset over as many bodies of water as possible.

 

 

 
I was in awe of the fact that the sun sets around 9. I had forgotten that Michigan is an hour ahead of Chicago and thus has so much sunlight late in the evening. It was incredible. As a lifelong Arizonan who never had to observe daylight-saving time, that is new to me.
 
Sunday was spent relaxing and cleaning up before returning to Chicago. The drive back took a lot longer –6 hours — because of construction and accidents. We were exhausted, dirty and tired of being on the road, but we had a wonderful time in Michigan. I can’t wait to go back!

Related camping posts:

Camping in Maui, Hawaii
Camping and kayaking at Saguaro Lake, Arizona
Camping at Havasu Falls
Camping in Aravaipa Canyon, Arizona
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Watch a video of our camping trip:

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.

Previous posts:

I Dabbled in Photography
Chicago Summer Bucket List

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