LLWorldTour

Yes, Virginia there is a Chicago River.  Perhaps Chicago is most known for its vast Lake Michigan or for its towering Sears (Willis) Tower or its old, ivy-covered Wrigley Field. But lest we forget this amazing thoroughfare that serpentines right through the heart of the city. It carries commuters on water taxis. It’s crossed by 38 bridges. For forty years, it has been dyed a bright green every St Patrick’s Day. And its direction was magically reversed away from Lake Michigan in an engineering feat back in 1900 to help improve sanitary conditions of Chicago’s drinking water.

The Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging public interest in architecture and design. CAF gives hundreds of tours (by boat, bus, bike, Segway, or on foot) exhibitions, lectures, and special events all around this city very famous for its skyline and architecture. From Daniel Burnham to Frank Lloyd Wright to Frank Gehry, Chicago has been progressive and innovative since it was burned to the ground back in 1871, creating that blank slate and canvas for something well-planned and truly amazing.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to be invited by the CAF to take their wonderful and informative Chicago River Cruise aboard Chicago’s First Lady.   I had taken the river cruise years earlier and had frequently recommended it to others. It’s fun to be on the river and also cool to learn more about the buildings that surround us everyday.

Expert volunteer tour guides—called docents—interpret more than 50 buildings along the Chicago River, revealing how the city grew from a small back-country outpost into one of the world’s most important crossroads in less than 100 years.

For more info or to sign up for the CAF River Cruise, click here.

Looking for an evening of sheer fun and non-stop smiles? This will do the trick: Dancing at dusk in Chicago with the beautiful Chicago skyline above. Good music. Good people. And great fun. Plus…it’s free.  Summer Dance is an annual Chicago program that takes place all summer, 4 days a week in Grant Park providing free dance lessons, live music, and good times.

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A few weeks ago a friend called me from the Appalachian Trail.   I’d originally met Jeremy at my hostel in Rome and then coincidentally months later saw him again for a day in Jerusalem, and then we met up yet again in New Jersey as he was driving through on his way to his sister’s in NYC  (you’d be amazed how many new traveler friends I’ve seen–planned and unplanned–more than once in different corners of the globe).  And now  Jeremy was literally walking the Appalachian Trail.

The Appalachian Trail is a hiking trail that runs nearly the entire length of the United States on the east coast from Georgia to Maine. At approximately 2,179 miles (3,507 km) long, the trail passes through the states of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Growing up on the east coast, I’d learned about the trail early on in school and had crossed it or been near it several times, but of course never really walked any bit of it.  Later on I’d read Bill Bryson’s humorous and sarcastic account of his trail trials in his book, A Walk in the Woods.

It’s famous for its many hikers, some of whom, called thru-hikers, attempt to hike it in its entirety in a single season.  Jeremy had decided to take his summer to literally walk the trail from Georgia back to near his home in Maryland. Like long distance runners who hit that ‘wall’ around the 20-mile mark, Jeremy was hitting his own wall. On the morning of his 48^th day of hiking, he called me at about 600 miles into his hike. That’s six hundred miles of walking; walking nearly every day sun-up to sundown.  He was having a tough time, was burning out, and was looking for help.  I heard his message and the sound of his voice and called him right back.

He said, “I was looking through my cell phone numbers at which friends to call and I saw your name and thought, she’s been ‘here,’ she can help me.”

Now, although I traveled around the world solo for a couple years and challenged myself in physical and mental ways, it was still vastly different from what Jeremy was attempting.  I couldn’t imagine doing what he was doing – besides carrying all his belongings on his back all day long in the summer heat, he was walking the same looking ‘scene’ alone for weeks on end, basically doing the same exact thing everyday, with very few variables.

Jeremy explained, “while hostel-jumping or WWOOFing [volunteering on organic farms around the world – a common activity of some long term world travelers] or whatever, an explorer has the right-of-way in their plans, and can alter a decision on a moment’s notice (time and money allowing), long-distance hiking (LDH) does not give that leeway.  Instead, there is a tunnel.  Speed is the most encompassing variable on the Trail: time spent at any one campsite, time in a town, miles per day, hours per day.  Besides that, everyone has the same goals: move north (or south, as the case may be), sleep well, eat comfortably, have intense emotions constantly.  Okay, the last one might not be at the forefront of every to-do list, but it certainly tags alongside the others.”

But why exactly was he doing this?  Like myself, many traveler-types that I met like a challenge and like to keep pushing themselves. I often questioned myself about this — at what point do I push myself so far outside my ‘comfort-zone’ that I am just too uncomfortable?  Toward the end of my trip, I realized I was ready for some more ‘normalcy’ and was ready to settle down a bit more, maybe not end my adventures entirely, but take a break. But I often still wonder ‘what’s next?’ Should I do something more challenging so I can grow even more? So after traveling around the world for several months, Jeremy felt the need to push himself even further with a new challenge.  Jeremy’s original intent was to just be alone and away from it all.

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Thanks to the ‘train wreck’ known as MTV’s “Jersey Shore”, more than ever, I continue my mission to change misconceptions about my home state of New Jersey, dammit.   In the past, I have written about my quiet hometown, the bedroom community of Randolph and waxed poetic about some of the other wonderful traits of the Garden State.  And I am not just doing it because I am from there. A large portion of the state is beautiful and full of farms, horses, forests, lakes, and mountains.  So you’ve heard me say it before (um, like in the last sentence), despite the industrial area in and around Newark, much else of New Jersey is lush, green, rural and charming. Yes, really.

I recently had the pleasure of spending a lazy afternoon in the quaint little colonial town of Clinton, New Jersey.

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Ah, the ‘Gold Coast’ (aka the Viagra Triangle).  It’s full of bars, old, rich men and young, drunken bachelorette parties complete with young ‘ladies’ doing unladylike things.  One recent night, I was showing a friend around town and we literally passed five of these gatherings with gaggles of girls adorned in too-tight, too-short satiny dresses and tiaras.

This ‘hood has always been the scene for the wealthy and wanna-be wealthy to fake it, flaunt it, or find it.  Besides the older crowd of gold-chain wearing sugar daddies, there is now a new crop of posers who all think they are in an episode of the HBO show, Entourage.   Some might call them ‘douchebags.’  ‘Nuff said.

Nothing says we are proud to celebrate our independence in the United States like a 4^th of July barbecue or cook-out.  These wings were made outside on a homemade grill at my mom’s log cabin house in Silverton, Colorado.

I never planned or wanted to live right in Wrigleyville. I am a Cubs fan. But I am not that much of a Cubs fan.  I like to go to games a couple of times a year. But I don’t need to see or hear every game of the year.

Luckily my new apartment is not too close to Wrigley Field, the nation’s second oldest ballpark (after Fenway Park in Boston), built in 1914.  I live about a half mile or a ten minute walk away.  If I’m sitting on my back deck during a game, I can faintly hear the collective roar of the crowd in the distance when something good happens (not all that often…sigh).  But thankfully, I am north of all the sports bars so not too much drunk riff raff drifts up my way.  Well, besides the errant, drunken Cubs fan drowning his sorrows and draining his bladder in the alley next to my building, that is. Classy.

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After traveling around the world, I wanted to make some changes in my life.  I guess you could say none are extremely huge changes (besides the whole chucking-it-all-and-traveling-the-world thing), but changes nonetheless.

About four years ago, I sold my little red Honda Prelude.  During my travels, I vowed to not buy a car upon my return and ride my bike or take public transport nearly all the time.  I find that in a city like Chicago, I simply just don’t need a car. But there are a few occasions when it would be helpful to have a set of wheels to lug some heavier or more cumbersome items. That’s where the awesomeness of car sharing comes in.

As folks are trying to be more environmentally conscious they are car-pooling more, some are buying hybrids, and there is a even a new and exciting platform allowing you to share your own car by renting it out.  Relay Rides is a peer-to-peer car sharing service that is spreading across the US as a way to rent out your car when you don’t need it—allowing you to make money and also allowing someone without a car to ‘borrow’ yours for a fee.  The growing popularity of car sharing is an exciting and good thing.   In Chicago, there are two big options for this. “I-Go” is a non-profit environmental service that provides Chicagoans access to low emission cars on an hourly basis.

A second car sharing service that is available in most major cities across the nation is Zipcar.   I had produced a TV segment on Zipcar several years ago and kept it in the back of my head as a great idea and something I hoped to do someday.  Soon after my return to Chicago this spring, I came across a friendly street marketer handing out deals to join for an amazingly low price of just $25/year plus $25 in driving credits.  So, basically join for free.  I couldn’t pass it up.

How does it work?

The name says it all. You just go online, see the times available, reserve a car, walk over and boom! You are a driving machine.  You zip into a parking lot, touch your trusty Zip Card to a sensor which unlocks the door, and you are ready to cruise.  And there’s a gas card in the car and insurance included.  No fuss. No muss (drop off the key, Lee and set yourself free).

There are parking lots nearly every half mile or so scattered all over town. There is a Zipcar just 4 houses down from my apartment.  Perfect.  It doesn’t get much more convenient than that.  I can choose from smaller, economical low emission hybrids, some snazzier rides like a BMW or Mini or even a truck for hauling my junk/treasure.

If you need a couple hours to go shopping, Zipcar is perfect. If you need it to go visit relatives in the ‘burbs, Zipcar is perfect.   The costs associated with owning a car in the city (or country) can be very high when you take into account fuel costs, large insurance bills, parking fees and permits, and routine or the dreaded unexpected maintenance costs.

The cost?

Most Zipcars simply cost about $7 an hour and that includes gas and car insurance. That’s right…there is a pre-paid gas card in every vehicle allowing you to fill up whenever you need to at no extra cost.  How sweet is that?  So to break it down again, the annual fee is usually between $25-50 dollars and cars cost $7/hour. Period. No hidden costs or surprises.  It’s that easy and it’s that good. I love it!

My first Zipcar experience:

I bought a used dresser on Craigslist and needed to find a way to haul the beast back to my flat.  The perfect solution was to get a Zipcar pick-up truck and a friend.  I went online and reserved the truck for 2 hours.  My friend Brandy and I walked just 10 minutes to the  Zipcar lot to pick it up.  No truck. But we were a bit early. Then seven o’clock came and went. No truck. So far, I was a bit worried. Zipcar’s number one rule: Be on time.  Since you are paying for the time and have a finite window of time, being prompt with your return is of the utmost importance.  I called Zipcar ‘s number which was printed on the sign in the parking lot.   As I was on phone,  Mr. ‘Johnny-come-lately’  pulled up about 10 minutes late. The nice Zipcar operator gave me a free hour of time anyway since no one had it reserved after. Sweet! Too bad it was Sunday night and there was really nothing else  I could do at that time. I could have asked for more time because she said no one had it until the morning, but I didn’t want to be greedy. Oh well.

After that first little glitch, it was awesome! I just love how Zipcar works. It’s simple and easy.  We drove the Toyota Tacoma to the apartment of the dude with the dresser. I double parked and Brandy waited in the truck. Seller dude and I schlepped the dresser downstairs and onto the tailgate of the truck. Perfect.  I handed him forty bucks and we were off.  By the way, I sold the exact same model of Ikea dresser when I left the country 4 years ago. And here I was buying it again, but for less than I sold it.  And I will probably sell it again when I leave my current apartment.  I love the ‘re-using’ aspects that Craigslist provides.

We drove back to my place to unload with time to spare.  So I also filled up the tank to be nice for the next driver. The gas card is in the car and you just have to enter your user id # and mileage.  I drove back the Zipcar spot and returned the truck with about 20 minutes to spare and then walked home in 8 minute.  Even if I just use a car for 2 hours it is still be cheaper than a round trip cab ride.  Good for me. Good for the planet. Yay. And…

Zippity-doo-dah zippity-ay!

It’s summertime. It’s time to get out. Go to a park. Go to a lake. Or better yet, take a holiday. Go on vacation.  And take to the open road.

American Highway

Montana, U.S.A.

The bicycle. To many Americans, it is a fun hunk of recreational metal. To others around the world, it is a vital and necessary means of transport. Slowly, as the industrial nations begin to feel the consequences of the 20^th century marvel that is the automobile, more and more of us are ‘taking to the streets’ on our bikes. I sold my car before I left to travel the world and now that I am back, my two means of transport: bicycle and public transport.

Cities around the United States are finally becoming more bike friendly by making roads more people friendly and not just ‘made for cars.’ Even Google Maps recently added a ‘by bicycle’ option when plotting out directions. I use this often in Chicago.  Google’s Midwest manager of global communications and public affairs said, “Maps have (for the most part) been made for cars. We wanted to make maps for people.”

Google takes into account hills, routes that are better for biking, and neighborhoods.

When I travel, I join up with a bike tour whenever possible. In my opinion, there is no better way to get an overview (and often an ‘otherview,’ seeing off-the-beaten-path sights) of a new city.  Not only is it a more interactive way to get to know a city, if you take one the first few days of your arrival, it helps you get your bearings for the rest of your visit.

Bike tours I’ve taken during my travels over the last several years:

• Chicago — Chicago Cycling Club
• Arizona
• Montreal
• Cotopaxi, Ecuador
• Buenos Aires
• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Vietnam — Intrepid Travel
• Budapest
• Krakow
• Munsterland, Germany
• Berlin — Fat Tire
• Berlin II — Berlin on Bike
• Paris — Fat Tire

Chicago has really beefed up its bicycling resume over the last decade. It doesn’t hurt that “da Mayor” is a cycling fan and has helped push the installation of hundred of more bike racks and the creation of dozens more biking lanes all over the city streets.  And Chicago events like this weekend’s annual Bike the Drive, during which Lake Shore Drive,  the city’s major artery along the lakefront, is closed to all automobile traffic all morning and thousands take to the street to enjoy one of Chicago’s most beautiful drives, really put cycling into the spotlight.

In many parts of Asia, the bicycle is still the formidable and much more affordable vehicle upon which citizens get themselves to and from work.  In no other place to me was this more evident that Vietnam, where bikes outnumber cars about 3 to 1.  Cities in Europe have longtime embraced the bike. In Amsterdam, my Dutch friends happily hopped on their bikes and joined the masses, carrying them everywhere.   My friend, Vibeke, even straddled her ‘chariot’ to get her to a big fancy charity gala cloaked in a dress, heels, and all.   In Sweden, bikes are the norm and my friend Paula glides through the streets with aplomb no matter what the weather.

But no other country, I’ve been to has got it down to a science like France.  Lyon, France began a Vélo’v public bicycle rental program in May 2005.  Vélib’, French for free bicycle or bicycle freedom, is now a mainstay of urban travel across France with tens of thousands of self-service bikes made available throughout the country.  In other French cities like Paris, Toulouse, and several others, these city-wide bike renting systems are now in place allowing you to rent a bike for an hour or the day and return it to any number of stations scattered all around the city. So in essence you can ride a bike to work and leave it at another station and not worry about locking it up or having it stolen. All you need is a credit card and usually the first 30 minutes are free with a deposit or weekly fee. I used the bikes in Lyon and loved it. The system couldn’t be more perfect and organized. I had a free bike and before my 30 minutes were up, I would come across another bike station and could return the bike or even take out a new one for another 30 minutes to return that one somewhere else. Genius!

Even big US city mayors like Michael Bloomberg of New York City and our very own bicycle guy, Mayor Daley have visited the city of lights to check out this innovative program.  If you can, take to the streets and think of your bike as more than a once-a-month recreational pastime. Ride it out to meet friends, ride it to the supermarket (like I did today and stuffed my backpack chock full of fruits and veggies), or ride it to work. You will get their faster than waiting in rush hour traffic, you will save money on gas, and you will feel good.

Some Chicago Bike links:

• City of Chicago Bicycling Program
• Active Transportation Alliance – Chicgoland’s voice for better biking, walking, & transit
• The Chainlink – Chicago Bicyclist Resource
• Chicago Cycling Club — FREE bike tours all over Chicago
• Bike the Drive – Sign up now…takes place May 31^st!
• McDonald’s Cycle Center – One of the country’s largest bike parking facilities
• Wrigley Field Free Bike Valet – Free awesomeness!
• L.A.T.E. Ride – July 10^th/11th
• Boulevard Lakefront Tour –  August 29th
• Chicago Critical Mass – Bikes take over the streets the last Friday of every month
• Bobby’s Bike Hike – City bike tours
• Fork and the Road — Biking AND eating tours!