sauna hike

Ahoy,

I made the poor decision of going to Starved Rock State Park on an extremely hot and muggy day. The temperature was probably approaching 100, and the humidity was probably extreme (80%-90%). I dragged my brother, cousin, mom, and the RRS along. We decided on the 6 mile route, and finished in about 3 hours taking lots of photo breaks. The terrain is mostly flat. Because the sandstone erodes so easily, they request you wear regular walking shoes because hiking shoes damage the rock, and they pave the main paths to prevent further erosion. I would rate this hike on physical geography alone as super easy because most of the route was paved and flat. The heat made it more difficult, but it was also shaded all the way. This place is gorgeous. I highly recommend a visit. You are weaving in and out of these massive canyons, gorgeous rock formations and sandstone features to look at.

We left just as a major storm rolled in, perfect timing. We munched on diy cracker/salami/cheese sandwiches on the car ride back. And the RRS spent the next couple days sleeping in my room because he has the immune system of an 11 year old. He suspects he and my cousin (who is 11) exchanged germs, and he got sick from my kid cousin. To be fair, my kid cousin got sick a few days later so his theory is not without correlation, but he's 11.

pleasingly immune,
jt

beaches on bikes

Ahoy,

I'd been wanting to go on a beaches on bicycles tour of Chicago because nostalgia, and because it was hot. We started out scrambling to get enough bikes because my brother let his bike get stolen in Madison. I say this because I suspect he would rather it "get stolen" than have to deal with bringing it back home or trying to sell it, and maybe because it was a little tall for him. But also, I suppose you would think it would be safe in your parking spot in your parking garage in your building. The nerve of someone to steal from a fellow tenant! But also, it wasn't locked to anything. 

Our bicycle gang started from Chinatown after eating a massive brunch of dim sum because my mom has no control regarding ordering food. Our first beach was 31st Street, one of the newer ones that also features a brand new dock and harbor and playground. One of my favorites because it is so easily accessible from my neighborhood and is typically less crowded. We skipped 12th St beach because it was just a little out of the way, but in retrospect we probably should have just zipped by. It's one of my favorites because it's less well known and smaller, so typically less crowded. The views from Solidarity Drive and the Planetarium are amazing. It's a good beach for thinking deep thoughts.

Our next stop was Oak Street beach, just past Navy Pier. It's typically one of the more popular beaches because of its convenient location from downtown and Navy Pier, but still small and intimate. The gradient is not very drastic at all so you can walk pretty far out but it still wouldn't be very deep. Fun to just dip your toes after touristing downtown. And you get a great, intimate view of the skyline going North.

Our next stop was Ohio Street beach, which is massive. There are a bunch of volleyball courts you can play on. The view is pretty stellar. I did not frequent this beach often growing up, mostly just zipped past on my bike.

My favorite and ending point of this tour was to jump in the water from the deck. Between Ohio St beach and before the turnaround for North Ave beach are usually lots of people jumping into the water right from the path. You can just set up next to a ladder and you and your friends can just dive/jump in. It was super refreshing and fun, definitely a highlight. I highly recommend. Make sure your friends aren't wimps and only watching you have fun.

We stopped at North Ave beach only to use the facilities because this is probably my least favorite beach. It is always super crowded despite how enormous it is. It is probably the most used, and thusly - the dirtiest. I never have any interest in coming here, and going past is usually a challenge because there are always people walking every which way not paying attention.

We ended in the Lakeview/Belmont neighborhood to see E's apartment and gorge on korean chicken wings. Not my choice, but I was outnumbered because it was all boys. Usually the case.

enamorously recommended,
jt

the suburbs

Ahoy,

This was the day N and I decided to go to the suburbs to go on a "hike." We started out on the "hike," which requires you to cross a road that has traffic that doesn't have stop signs. We had to cross a similar road several times, sometimes the same road. You are just hoping the the good grace of the driver will see you and not run you down as you dart back and forth across the street for this "hike." You can see the last place you crossed the street from the next street crossing. Hiking in the Midwest is nothing like hiking in CA. There is little to no elevation gain or loss; it is flat the whole time. Granted, there is foliage because this is a prairie and not a desert, but it's not like there is so much variation you can have when it is flat the whole time. So your view is pretty much trees on either side of a wide, flat road the. whole. time. 

We unanimously decided the 2 or 3 miles we had walked so far was not glorious enough to convince us to make another 4 to a waterfall and then walk back. So we turned around with the reward of snacks in the car. Promptly after wimping out, it started to rain, and then rain harder. We were thoroughly drenched by the time we got to the car. And that was glorious. Next time, we'll bring bikes. That "hike" is far better suited to experience on a bike. 

After arriving in the city, we picked up my brother K and got stuck at the train crossing. 

frantically awaited,

jt

rained out

Ahoy,

One of our premier activities was the water park. I had been so, so excited to come here it was ridiculous. The RRS was deeply concerned the build-up in my head would lead to disappointment. The day came and it was glorious. We packed a cooler and loaded up the sunscreen. It was a perfectly hot day and I got a bunch of other friends to join. I had grown up watching too much television, so the commercial for Deep River Water Park is engrained permanently in my mind, just part of the soundtrack of my childhood. And it's somewhat surprising to me that we had never been despite the egregious adverts all over the area.

We spent the morning going on all the rides and slides on one end of the park until it started to rain in the afternoon. It was a glorious downpour all of California would be entirely envious of. There was probably more water that came down that day than all the water that exists in CA right now. They eventually shut down the park and we left for the candy factory we had passed on the way to the water park. After loading up on diabetes, we left for East Chicago.




Marktown is in East Chicago, IN. It's a planned worker community built in 1917 that did not get fully completed due to the aftereffects of WWI. It's built to look like a traditional English small town. I imagine this would be what a lot of towns looked like after WWI in England because there were a ton of abandoned, dilapidated buildings. It has a small footprint compared the the acres of BP that surround the community. There's something spooky and touching about a place like this. I felt like I had to tread softly as I stepped into a pocket of history that was forgotten or is oft overlooked. I had a sense of wonder about how out of place this piece of land is. I suggest a visit if you're ever in that direction. It's certainly fascinating.

We returned to Chicago and ended up attending an event in my increasingly hipster-fying neighborhood. Maria's was having a birthday party of sorts and had beer, sausages, and live entertainment on hand. Another community favorite of mine is the Italian ice from Freddie's. I did not care for Italian ice until Freddie's and I still don't care for anyone else's except Freddie's.

simply splashtastic,
jt

long anticipated

Ahoy,

I flew straight to Chicago from Seattle, leaving the RRS to fend for himself for the week. He would subsist on burritos and anime for a glorious week of bachelordom.

I went downtown with my brother and best friend to the Chicago Public Library for a class at their Maker Lab. We learned how to use TinkerCAD to print out things with the 3d printer. It was a lot of fun. They have a bunch for cool machines: 3d printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, wood mill, etc. They do crafty sorts of classes all the time, and they're free! I love the library.

I went with my brother to Lakeview to see N's new apartment and picnic on the waterfront. It was only mildly muggy, so sitting outside did not get us all drenched if we were staying still in the shade. As kids, my mom always had me bring my brother along to all my friends' houses because video games is not a legitimate baby-sitter. I've gotten used to dragging my brother along everywhere, and my friends have gotten used to him. Also, he gets good 'what not to do' advice regarding girls. I'm sure he's catalogued all sorts of stuff we've spouted throughout the years. We walked around the neighborhood a little before parting ways.

The RRS and I spent another day picking up sandwiches at the French Market in Union Station. We got in line for sandwiches because everyone else was in line. I got not nearly enough of my favorite mini doughnuts and devoured them before lunch. He spent a good deal of time deciding between iced coffee at DD (because there are none in LA area) or Intelligentsia. He was afraid his expectations would be too high and he'd be disappointed because it wouldn't be as good as he remembered. First world problems. Sometimes I question his rationale. We brought our sandwiches, which turned out to be bomb, to eat at the JazzFest in Millennium Park. My favorite part was dipping my toes and getting wet at the various water features in the park on the way out. After Buckingham Fountain, I remembered there was an exhibit I wanted to see at the Architecture Museum, so that was our final stop.

glaringly sprouted,
jt

coincidental birfday

Ahoy,

On our last day in Seattle, it happened to be E's birfday. She had just moved to Seattle and I was so glad to get to see her and see she was doing well and enjoying her new environment, despite the troubles oft associated with moving. I had come to regard her as a good friend and regrettably, had not seen her as much as I'd have liked those last few months she was in LA. Sometimes life gets in the way. Being busy is not permanent, hopefully.

We met with her for lunch at an indian place in the dungeons of this corner building. It turned out to be spicier than I could handle, but I ate it all because I didn't want to carry the rest home. How many times in my life have I and will I stuff myself to avoid the tribulations of a to-go box?

Our next and most memorable activity for me was the lake/beach. It was the one of the most idyllic small town watering holes I've ever visited (READ: only watering hole). There was a platform a little away from shore you had to swim out to with diving boards you could leap off of. It reminded me of diving into my local pool as a child. I would leap without abandon from the diving boards until that fateful day I saw they had been removed, never to be seen again. I had a blast in the water, and it's a shame everyone else stayed ashore. After I dried off, we all moved to play bocce ball while I joined the children on the playground zipline. The playground had a zipline!

Visiting Seattle is always the most fun. O & H are the best at entertaining/hosting us. So much so that sometimes I feel like we may be better off living in separate cities until infinity and beyond. But then I think also that I would love to hang out with them all the time too.

enamoringly lucked,
jt

mosquitoes & rocks

Ahoy,

Picking up where we left off. The morning of Squamish was a mad dash to get new shoes for the RRS because we had forgotten his shoes back in Seattle. One of the most tragic of occurrences to befall his young soul yet. I will be lucky if he expresses as much grief and mourning upon my death. Luckily there is a climbing shop in Squamish and we picked up lunch & shoes in the area. He ended up purchasing new shoes that he had been eyeing for a while, so I guess it all worked out for the best.

Our first stop was in an area called the magic kingdom. The most magical part was probably the mosquitoes. I got about 59 mosquito bites here. 59! The audacity of those mosquitoes! They went through my clothes; I looked like I had the pox. After tackling some things here, we returned to the same area we had climbed at last time we were here. I think it's called the grand wall. Much to my relief there were absolutely no mosquitoes here to bite me. It was much breezier and open. Climbing days for me are usually a lot of waiting around so I always like to bring bubbles or something to entertain myself. Like a child. I will remember Squamish more for the harassment by the local fauna, than for the rocks.

We hightailed it out of there with as much speed as we could muster despite the traffic on the road to Vancouver. The goal was to make it back in time for dinner, but everything was closed, so we just ordered pizza and watched reel rock, as if we hadn't gotten enough of climbing in for the day. Thanks to O for being a champ and driving us home safe.

splatteringly dyed,
jt

out of town, out of the country

Ahoy,

We departed for Seattle mid-August to visit our favorite Jewish programmer. For some reason, one of our friends got a ton of our other friends to go to Vancouver to climb at Squamish. How anyone could ever get a group that size to move en masse to another country is beyond me. It was amazing. It's difficult enough getting them all to drink boba with me. For fear of missing out, the RRS pondered very deeply over whether or not we should go because he was at the mercy of his academic schedule. What else is new? We ended up just going ahead and booking it because I was frankly sick of his moping, and I knew if we didn't go, he would continue to mope. "But our friends will never all be there again..." he queried. Oh, the drama (cue rolling my eyes).

Our friends O & H always pull out all the stops for us, which gives me hoster's remorse because I'm sure we don't give them the same royal treatment when they visit us in LA. How will I ever live up to the grandeur? After an evening in Seattle consisting of German food and bomb pie, we departed the next morning for Vancouver. We weren't in a hurry to leave because we had decided the night before that since the weather would be crummy on Saturday in Squamish, we would just call it a wash for climbing and spend the day in Vancouver.

Upon arriving, we dawdled our way out the hotel to catch the tail end of dim sum. It was delicious, probably the best mango pudding. We walked off some of the food (there was a lot of food to walk off) on our way to get java. It still hadn't rained, so our next stop was to rent bikes and ride around Stanley Park. The bikes we rented were probably the creakiest bikes we've ever ridden. It sounded like my bike was wheezing whenever I asked for more speed. The chains occasionally fell off or got tangled. Imagine my apprehension as I was going downhill wondering if my chain would dislodge itself on my back brake bike. It was a fun ride and weather was amiable.

For dinner, we made our way to Yaletown for some seafood.  It was all delicious and we ate everything. We were all pooped and ready for bed. The next day would be our climbing day in Squamish!

deleteriously served,
jt

quiet on the internet = loud unplugged

Ahoy,

Some things I forgot to mention.

We went to a ping pong social club event in August. I had seen these places while I was in NYC. They recently opened a location in LA and had a party to kick it off. The RRS says it's one of the more fun things I've dragged him to. They had rented a bunch of vintage arcade games in addition to use of the ping pong tables. We had unlimited play for the whole evening. The food was not spectacular, I would not eat those foods again, but the experience of the night was fun for me as well. The facility is in the Standard Hotel, and they try to create a sort of nightclub vibe. Truth be told, I would not really go to this type of thing, but I felt that the RRS would like it a lot, and my brother too. I had fun nonetheless. One day I will drag him to the ballet. He will nap, and I will have fun.

We also made a trip into Chinatown in LA last month for Chinatown summer nights. Typical sights in Chinatown include lots of people, pushy Chinese ladies hoarding freebies, lots of food, exploding confetti rocket thingers, etc. Since it was a KCRW event, there were a ton more hipsters and non-natives (READ: not Chinese people). They had several sound stages, a beer garden, djs, food trucks, craft & jewelry sale stands. There was a lot of excitement, uncharacteristic of the neighborhood. We also discovered a new boba shop! It's good enough for a repeat visit.

frothingly pearled,
jt