Thoughtful Thursday: Oscar Wilde

8x8 Gallery // 365 Project: Week 6

I've committed to a photo-a-day project this year. Three hundred sixty five photos. Every single day. No latergrams (what we call photos taken more than a day earlier in the Instagram world). The project was inspired by Myk Little, one of several photographer friends I've made via the Instagram community in Chicago. 

Jagged 36/365

Canyon Gold 37/365 (LaSalle Street and the Chicago Board of Trade Building in downtown Chicago during golden hour.) 

Exploring the Morton Arboretum via snowshoes. 38/365

Had a nice Sunday run at the arboretum. It's hard to believe we had a blizzard less than a week ago! 39/365

My favorite thing about Mondays? Monday night yoga class! 40/365

Runaway. The back yard is a mess from snow thawing and re-freezing, so Baxter can't get around in it very well right now. Since he needed some exercise and I needed some fresh air, we went to the park in search of level ground (and maybe a nice sunset). We were treated to a gorgeous sky, a nice walk, lungfuls of clear, frozen air, and Baxter got to run free & chase his tennis ball 41/365

I'm captivated by the beauty of Union Station's Great Hall every time I step into it. I hope that feeling never fades away. 42/365

Weekend Adventures: Snowshoeing

Exploring the Spruce Plot at the Morton Arboretum

Chicago was blasted by its fifth-largest snowfall at the beginning of February, so it was only natural for me to head to the Morton Arboretum to snowshoe! The warm temperatures during the week meant some of the snow had already melted away, but there was still plenty of snow left over and lots of untouched spots at the Arb. Bonus: temperatures were in the 30s, so it was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon at my favorite spot in Chicagoland. 

The Arboretum has 1,700 acres for members to explore, and when there's at least four inches of snow on the ground, you can explore nearly anywhere on snowshoes. If you're like me and don't have your own, you can rent them for as little as $10. When I rented mine, the rental trailer was mobbed with people who wanted cross-country skis; they could not keep up with the demand. I only had to wait a few minutes and got to go to the head of the line because I was one of the few people who wanted snowshoes. 

Snowshoe selfie....

Following one of the paths on the east side of the Arboretum.

One more of the Spruce Plot -- the light changes, depending on where you are. 

Manifesto

Busy week ahead! I'm looking forward to increased productivity (even though that includes doing my taxes) with my new laptop! No more crashes. I can't believe how much faster everything is. Happy, happy. 

(still trying to track down the ORIGINAL source so I can give proper credit for this image. The best I could find was Jennet Liaw, who was credited here by From Up North. 

Thoughtful Thursday

8x8 Gallery // 365 Project: Week 5

29/365: Hay! Got any carrots? 

30/365: Friday Reflections 

31/365: Eagle @ Starved Rock State Park 

32/365: Mesmerizing 

33/365: Into the light

34/365: Journey 

35/365: Snow on Fire 

Weekend Adventures: Starved Rock State Park

I've lived in Illinois for over three years and I hadn't set foot in Starved Rock State Park until this past weekend. I've seen some great photos in my Instagram feed of the fall colors and the frozen ice falls and the park was one of those spots I "always wanted" to go to but never quite got around to actually going to. I finally made it out there, and I'm glad I did. 

Even though it was an overcast day, the temps were in the low 30s. The trails were still pretty icy, so I ended up leaving my big camera in my backpack most of the time I hiked. I kept my phone zipped in my vest pocket for easy access & quick snaps. I'm glad I did that, because, well, I took a big spill and went sliding down a steep trail, putting on a nice show for the other hikers in the vicinity. Thankfully, years of practice (general klutziness & horsemanship) taught me how to fall correctly (yes, there IS a way to do it! Sometimes.), and I didn't really get hurt, just a bit bruised. 

Anyways. The eagles were out also, and I was lucky enough to get up close to this beauty: 

Bald eagle @ Starved Rock State Park 1/31/2015

Ice climbers @ Wildcat Canyon, Starved Rock State Park 1/31/2015

One of many sets of stairs I climbed on my 6-mile hike.

The ICY trail down into French Canyon -- I turned around and took another way in! 

View of the top of French Canyon -- there were 2 ice climbers who got caught by Park Service staff. Oops. 

I'll definitely return to Starved Rock for some more hiking -- probably in the late spring or when the fall colors peak. I'd love to camp there if I can find someone to go with me.