Aloft Hotel (River North), Chicago, IL

This is a vibrant bustling hotel in the heart of Chicago's River North neighborhood. It's very accommodating, friendly, full of interesting aspects and easily a place I would stay again.

They have a Lettuce Entertain you restaurant attached, called Beatrix. They match the vibe and service of Aloft very well. Like the hotel, I would eat here again in a Chicago minute.

I Love Chicago's Elevated Train Lines (aka, The "L")

There's nothing better for getting around, even to O'Hare. I've spent a long time over my years riding these rails, and I don't think I'll be stopping any time soon.

This trip was a Blue Line run from Rosemont, out west, to the city for a weekend visit.

Next to the Slinky, I think this is the most iconic spring in use in the world today.

Panoramic View of Collectivo Coffee (Lakefront), Milwaukee, WI

I couldn't help but take a long picture of this very unique location and always busy coffee hotspot, down on the lake front in Milwaukee, WI. They seem to have a unique combination of upbeat, patient personnel, old and new food and drink options, and people watching for days. Not to mention they're located in an old water facility on the lakefront... it's a great place to get some refreshment or get some work done.

Local Fungi, Madison, WI

It seems like mushrooms have been more common this year than I can remember in years past. I noticed many posts about early spring morels on social media, and I seem to keep seeing them growing wild almost anywhere I venture. It has been consistently damp in most places, so that might be a factor. I found the big guys below a couple blocks from home, growing on someone's front yard. They certainly caught my attention. I don't know enough to know which ones to eat and which ones to leave. Better not try if I'm not sure.

I have a medium-sized hand

Quote of the Day.

"Only when we allow others to be who they are, rather than who we want them to be, will we have peaceful relationships."

Quote of the Day

As Will Rogers wryly noted: “It is not what we don’t know that gets us into trouble; it is what we know that ain’t so.”

Riley House (1908), Madison, WI

If you've been playing along on this blog of late, then you know I've been out for some walks... well, the neighborhoods I've been investigating happen to have some pretty neat historic houses, one of which is featured below...