Out and About

Now that we're settled in our new place and Jason is back to work, I've found myself with a little more time on my hands, so today went exploring. Knowing that the lake is just five short blocks east of us, I decided to check it out. As you walk east down Webster, you hit Lincoln Park before you actually get to the lake. Lincoln Park (an actual park) is the namesake of the neighborhood we now live in (also Lincoln Park - are you confused yet?). It is a 1200 acre park that runs along just over 4 miles of Lake Michigan. This map shows the southern most part of the park...the area I visited today (to orient you with where we are with respect to Lincoln Park, our apartment is on the northern edge of Oz Park):

As I made my way to the lake today, I came across lots of interesting sights. The first was the Lincoln Park Conservatory:


From the conservatory lawn, you can tell that we're just the right distance from the insanity of downtown Chicago:


A quick pass through the conservatory (it was too hot and humid inside to stay very long) showed me that Chicago has a wide variety of artistic styles. This sculpture was HUGE and constructed entirely from old lawn chair frames and warning lights:


This one, called "Bird in Love," is (I think) a woman clinging to a bird. What I can't figure out is, is that her bosom or her behind?!


Jamie, I'm excited to report that they had an area you're sure to love...I plan to steal a few tasty morsels before your visit:


After my pass through the conservatory, I continued on toward the beach. A short cut through the Lincoln Park Zoo took me by these handsome fellows:


Being that it was getting hotter by the minute, I was eager to get to the water and didn't spend anymore time exploring the zoo. Before making it to the lake, I did pass by one more interesting place though...this pretty lily pad pond:


A little bit further and finally, I had arrived:


The lake is so big it's hard to believe it's not an ocean! It seems strange to look out over that much water and not experience the scent of the sea that accompanies the ocean. By this time, it was 93 degrees and very humid...I was wishing I had my swimsuit on so I could take a dip. The beach was looking quite inviting:


Waikiki, it's not, but I think we've come leaps and bounds from the Wabash River!! In the end, I settled with cooling my feet before heading home:


If you need me tomorrow, I'll give you one guess where you'll find me!...