Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: bike, sunrise

So this morning was cold.
But not a “damp cold.”
So it was actually quite nice.
So I head out on my bike for another cold morning bike ride along the lakefront.
It was a bit windy… err, let’s say windy… so much so that it was tough to keep my
camera steady at times!
But with a lot of clouds forming out over the lake, I was
expecting big things… and I wasn’t disappointed.

It started out dark with a layer of bright colors along the horizon. And as I pedaled
further, the sky lit up and the lower clouds took on some beautiful shades of pink
while the higher clouds were darker puffs on the blue sky.

As the clouds overtook the sunrise, I figured the sunrise had peaked… and I started home.
Enjoying the tailwind. Enjoying the ride. And then I looked over my shoulder…

Only to find that the sunrise was indeed NOT over.
Instead the sky had lit up with vibrant colors all across the entire sky! Incredible!!!

Categories: bike, sunrise

Yesterday: Gray & gloomy.
Today: Sunny & clear.

Yesterday: Temps in the mid-60’s.
Today: Temps in the low-20’s.

Yesterday: Bike shorts and a long-sleeve jersey.
Today: EVERY layer of clothing I could find!!!… and I was STILL cold!!!


Categories: bike, sunrise

Beautiful as the morning sky changed from light blue to pink to shades of vibrant orange!
And then back to blue. These Fall sunrises have been incredible!

Categories: bike, sunrise

With an early start, the sky was starting to glow with morning color.
But then the clouds started covering the sky from the north taking over any hope
of a beautiful sunrise. Just a little color before the gray took over. And with clouds
from the north also came winds from the north. Brrr….

Categories: bike, sunrise

After yesterday’s frigid morning ride with nearly frozen fingertips,
today I decided to double-up my layers! Including two pairs of gloves!
Double your layers. Double your fun.

But after the early morning glow, the actual sunrise was kind of anti-climactic.
The sky was clear. Without much color or contrast. So I was just cruising back home
unaware. Until I turned to look over my shoulder to see some crazy cool colors
happening on the horizon! I assumed it was going to be uneventful… and then….

Good thing I looked back over my shoulder, huh?!

Categories: bike, sunrise

With last night’s rain, the morning was chilly…
and not just cold, but a very damp, bone-chilling cold. At least the sunrise
was beautiful.… from what I could see through my own breath!

Even as the sun continued to rise, it was still beautiful… and still cold!


Categories: bike, sunrise

The mornings continue to impress. And this morning was warmer than usual.
And there’s me with FAR too many layers of clothing on… poor planning on my part.
But as the sun crested the horizon, the sky became peachy in color. Impressive again!

Categories: bike, Chicago, sunrise

The weather has been incredible for the past few weeks here in Chicago.
Unseasonable warm. And with the recent time change, the morning bike rides have
had a rejuvenated sense of seasonal fun! So this morning I got up a little earlier
and pedaled a little further. All the way down to Northerly Island. Which is beautiful
this time of the year with all of the spent wildflowers & native grasses… and three incredible
metal sculptures out there gracing the island. Looking like they’re dancing in the wind…
and the fact that they look like rusty metal… even better!!!

Categories: bike, Chicago, sunrise

Plus, an early morning “skyscraper” amongst the real skyscraper skyline!

Categories: bike, sunrise

With the big time change this weekend, it felt like I had more time to ride this morning.
And it didn’t hurt any that it wasn’t freezing cold this morning… or that the sunrise
was once again SPECTACULAR!!! I had a wonderful morning – and took over 130 photos!
It was hard to narrow it down to these.

For more pictures, check out today’s photo album on my Facebook page.
www.Facebook.com/FireWhenReadyPottery