Some old-school glamour at the Chicago Hilton Hotel on Michigan Avenue.
They don’t make ‘em like they used to!!!

Such a joy to finally see the sun again this morning. Sure it was cold… about 27-degrees when I started out… but there have been far too many dark gray & dreary days in a row. I just had to get out on my bike for a beautiful sunrise. Plus, I found a new flag that someone put out by the lake that really made me SMILE!!!

I’m back in the saddle again… and it was well worth the wait! My bike is back, and it felt great to get out this morning for a windy & cloudy ride along the lakefront. For awhile I thought there might just be too many clouds to allow for a colored sky-show… but I was wrong! A wonderful splash of color for just a few minutes before it faded behind the clouds once more. But I still got to pedal… with new & improved, non-broken, pedaling mechanisms!!!

A cloudy start for a chilly Fall day. I was hoping for some sunrise color to splash all over those clouds… but alas, not much color. Just clouds. With a bit of a chill & clouds to start the day, it looks like it might be a good day for the Chicago Marathon runners. They’ve put in the work training, now put in the marathon miles & smiles!!!

Another morning with gusty winds, crashing waves & plenty of clouds!!! I thought there might be a good potential sunrise in there somewhere… hoping for some fun colors… but the clouds just weren’t playing along!!! Their timing was off & the dark grayness won out. The first half of my ride was great fun with a strong tailwind… the ride back, not so much! Head down, tucked into aero-bars & pedal on!!!

Now for a quick shower & back out to Barrington for Day Two of ART IN THE BARN!!!

Forever the “tourist” even in my own City… I always get excited when I see the large Picasso sculpture in Daley Center downtown. Sure, I was to there for Jury Duty… but why not appreciate your surroundings a bit too?!

And here’s a cool fact… did you know that if you look at the famous Picasso sculpture from the correct back-side angle, you actually get a woman’s profile!!! Scroll to the last photo to see for yourself!!!

So I just finished Jury Duty… and yes, of course I got picked for a trial.
Oh, lucky me. Not too painful… but it’s the “dress code” that’s really killing me!!! Seriously…

As the sunrise time keeps getting later & later… it seems like my morning ride just keeps getting darker & darker?! With a lot of darkness for the first half of my ride… and hopefully a good sunrise at the end of my daily route.

A beautiful afternoon to be down by the lakefront. Enjoying the blue skies, the even bluer water & the historic landmark Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. Just off the end of Navy Pier, this lighthouse was built in 1893… but then somehow moved & “relocated” in 1919. Just wondering… how does one “move” a lighthouse?!!!

While I am trying to stay focused & productive in the studio… I was surprised when the grayness of this morning cleared up & blue skies came out for the afternoon. And I somehow felt “obligated” to get outside for a quick afternoon bike ride to enjoy the surprisingly beautiful weather!!! I love playing hooky… so much fun… but now it’s back to the studio for the night!!!