Chicago! The beach!

To all of the ticos who didn't believe that we have beaches in Chicago....

This Labor Day weekend was BEAUTIFUL, and I had the chance to spend it with some of my close college friends on the beaches of Chicago. It was a perfect day to spend on the beach... And we had it all, snacks, drinks, and the water was even warm enough to swim in! The beach was packed, but miracle enough we found a parking spot, we laid claim to a patch of grass, some of us even put on sunscreen, and we all enjoyed the sunshine.

Food and drinks. I had the chance to try a new latino treat. Elote is a mixture of corn fresh off the cobb, butter, mayo, Parmesan cheese, and a little bit of chile. Que rico! and, unlike in Manuel Antonio, drinking on the public beach is not necessarily encouraged. it is actually prohibited... so Carly shows you how we managed our undercover Summer Beer...

All and All ladies, a great day at the beach! Thanks for an awesome weekend!

Chicago! The Signature Room

The View from the 98th floor of the Hancock building downtown Chicago...

from the restroom in the Signature room Lounge

The array of fun drinks ordered...

everything from a chocolate martini to my fruit-rollup tasting lime green looking drink

The Bill. Five drinks. $71.36

Okay, overall, the lounge was a little over rated. And over priced. But thanks to Mary who chipped in a giftcard that got us up there. I guess what really matters is that the company was stellar. I love these girls, and I am so glad I had the chance to chill with them... even if everything else was a little over rated...

Before the party

At the party

After the party

Sarah does a wheel-ee

While reminiscing over games of "chase" (where, as in the title, one of the nine cousins would be it and would chase the rest- all of which would be hiding throughout the state park- and would "tag" someone by buzzing their tires) Sarah and I decided to document the experience. I am the handy photographer, mind you, one my bike and Sarah is the star of the show.

Take a look as she "pops" a few "wheel-ees"

Some more shots of the photo shoot...

Notice my frightened face below...

I so wish this one was clear... she was LOVING posing for the camera

Young State

We have been going to Young State as a family for as long as I can remember. Six adults. 9 cousins. 3 pop ups. 15 bikes. Beach time. Happy time. Campfire time.

Between high school sports, college starts, and being out of the country, I have missed out on the annual trip the last four or five years. So it was great to head up to Boyne City and sit in front of Lake Charlevoix again. The numbers have changed. 2 pop ups. 1 bus. 5 "adults". 5 cousins. and not quite as many bikes. But there was beach time. and happy time. and campfire time. And early morning coffee with Aunt Debbie. Sidewalk sales and bike rides and even a little bit of Hill-billy horse shoes.



Above.... Just another day at the beach. Well, sort of. While I have definitely become a beach bum... I had a hard time sticking it out with this crowd. In the wind, it the dropping temperatures, and even in the rain, we did our best to enjoy the beach. I don't know about these guys, but give me 95 degrees and sunny! I was given a hard time for loosing my roots... I couldn't even get knee deep in the water! I know, I've become a pansy....

Below, Sarah welcoming in the sunset. I love this girl. (And I felt spoiled watching the sun set around 8:45... in Costa Rica the sun goes down between 5:30-6pm all year round!)



And, as always, we loaded some of Grandpa Bernie's wood up for kindling, and Uncle Terry built us a masterpiece of a campfire. Despite the blaze, I got as close as I could to try and warm up to these northern Michigan nights! Below, Mom hangs out with Mac by the fire. and another pic of Beautiful Lake Charlevoix.

Last few picts before the states....

Before I headed out for two months, I had the chance to hang out with my girls! And we went all out, going for tapas and drinks at the Gaia (www.gaiahr.com), a five star hotel and probably the nicest Manual Antonio currently has to offer... and, although it rained, we felt spoiled drinking white wine sangria, snacking on gourmet appetizers and looking out on the mountain view. I so appreciate you girls and miss you!

And this is my friend Nati who I am blessed to see almost every time I stay with Michele! We were sporting matching tops! And check out my hair... a few days later I chopped off that nest... and yes it was a mess.