S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!

If you would have visited the store between 4:15 and 5:00 PM Saturday, you would have found it dark and quiet. After sitting there all day, looking out the window at the beautiful spring weather, I could not hold myself back any longer. So around 4:10 I flipped the sign to CLOSED, hopped on my bike and headed east, to the lakefront bike path.



It's easy to underestimate the size of Lake Michigan. When I think of a lake, I think of a smallish body of water where you can see the other side. But this is a GREAT LAKE! In fact, the lake is approximately 300 miles long and averages 75 miles across, covering an area of 22,400 square miles -- which is equal to the combined areas of the states of Maryland, Massachusetts and Delaware! (source)



When I moved to Chicago 10 years ago, I didn't really take much notice of the lake. Then Michael and I lived in an apartment quite near it and my appreciation of the lakefront began. Now that I have been in Chicago this long, the lake (and the parks running the length of it) have become my escape to nature. I mean, look at the photo below - while riding along that stretch of the lakeshore, it's very easy to forget that I'm in the city, and that it's just a lake and not, say, an ocean.



I rode through the parks and along the shoreline and around the marinas, letting the sun shine on my skin. It felt so wonderful! It's been a very chilly spring this year so it was refreshing to feel the warm breeze of an 80 degree day. There were a lot of other people out yesterday too. Riding past Lincoln Park Zoo and through the baseball diamonds and soccer fields, it was somehow comforting to see so many people out. After the long winter months, when everyone hibernates, it's great to hear people laughing and little groups cheering on a softball game and kids playing in fountains.



I love that the shoreline of Chicago is so curvy and that there are many piers from which it's possible to see the city from a different angle. I got this great shot of the Hancock and surrounding buildings yesterday - just look at the sky and those great, puffy clouds!



I rode around so long and, forgetting that I hadn't eaten much for lunch, I suddenly became absolutely ravenous. I checked out the snack bar at North Avenue Beach, which was jam packed with sunbathers and volleyball players. I couldn't bring myself to eat the processed cheese nachos or a hot dog so, in lieu of a natural food alternative, I opted for a Gatorade. It's a sports drink, so I figured it would be mostly juice. After a few sips I read the label - water and corn syrup were the top two ingredients. Blech! I was only able to drink a little more before I had to give up and hope I had enough energy in me to bike back home and to a bowl of fruit or some carrots or something.



The trip northbound, back home, was a long 8 miles and by the time I climbed the three flights of stairs to our condo, I was ready to eat the cat. Lucky for her, I settled on a glass of milk and some fruit.