Over the weekend, I rode part of the Green Bay Trail, which is located at the northern portion of Cook County. This trail parallels the Union Pacific North Line railroad tracks, used by Metra to serve their North Shore clientele. It starts in Wilmette at the south and runs up to Highland Park for about 9 miles, hitting Kenilworth, Winnetka, and Glencoe, along the way.  Once you cross from Cook County into Lake County, it connects with another trail (Robert McClory Bike Path) that continues north towards the Wisconsin border.

Green Bay Trail trailhead

I picked it up in Glencoe, having parked at the Chicago Botanic Garden.  The trailhead was about a mile east of the Gardens, right down Lake Cook Road. It rained shortly before I rode, so there were puddles and wet spots found on the crushed limestone trail.  This being the summer of "new bike trail discoveries" for me, I enjoyed exploring something new as I rode, but due to time constraints only got to ride a portion.  We'll solve that in a future ride!

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Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

Communications Mural on Spaceship Earth (2009)

Continuing our tribute to the final flight of the Space Shuttle, let's take a look at this mural located on the exterior of Spaceship Earth in Epcot. Taken during a December 2009 visit, it's a carry-over from when this attraction was solely communications-based. Even with a retheme, it remains as a symbol of something the Shuttle program never actually accomplished… cool stuff. Thanks NASA!

Today we got another ultrasound to see what's cooking for Baby Tanner…

In case you were wondering...

As our friend Nick Rosario posted on Facebook: "Congrats, just what we needed, another Disney-loving, Clue-watching, Ticket to Ride-playing, bike riding, Festive Film Friday-having, sarcastic little version of Steve walking around. I pray for you, Amy. Seriously, Congrats!"

Due date is December 21, 2011.

OK, so maybe it's only one trash can. But I couldn't resist! Don't worry, I won't be launching a MagicalTrash.com spin-off any time soon!

Trash Can at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Anyway, it was another "Date Night" at the Chicago Botanic Garden for Amy & I this week. A swing band by the name of Bopology was performing, so we packed a dinner and enjoyed a cool evening.

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Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

Snowman Sis (2009)

It's Christmas in July! Why else would I post a photo of my sister wearing a set of Snowman Mickey Ears? This was shot in the Emporium on Main Street USA at WDW's Magic Kingdom during a December 2007 trip.

I'm not sure which is more creepy… the hat itself or the expression on Karen's face!

Recently my friend Henry Zonio was in town and visited with us for a couple days. Here's a former children's pastor who moved his family from Canada to the Bay Area to pursue higher education.

Henry & Steve

We're often a stopover when he passes through the Windy City. In exchange, I send him some beverages to review from time to time!

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Over the July 4 holiday, Amy & I visited with my sister Karen and brother-in-law Brian at their home in northeastern Indiana. They live on a lake, which is pretty awesome during the summer months. They are also pretty close to an awesome set of mountain bike trails at nearby Winona Lake.

Steve & Karen get ready to ride!

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Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

Space Shuttle History in Epcot (2007)

In honor of the final flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-135, which launches on Friday, here's a nice tribute to America's space program found in The American Adventure pavilion over at Epcot's World Showcase. While you are waiting for the namesake show, you'll find paintings like this one situated on the walls, each denoting different elements of the history of the United States. I snapped this photo on a September 2007 visit.

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Theme Park Thursdays feature photos from one of our theme park adventures in the past.

Splash Mountain On-Ride Photo (2007)

Without a doubt, my favorite ride in the Magic Kingdom is Splash Mountain. The attraction originally opened at Disneyland in 1989, using a single-file seating arrangement. The larger-capacity, side-by-side logs were used when Walt Disney World's version debuted in 1992.

I love the idea that this attraction is based on a movie that Disney refuses to re-release to the public (1946's Song of the South). I love the large use of animatronic figures to tell a story. I love the music that sets the tone for the adventures of Brer Rabbit. And for some reason, I'm terrified of that large drop at the end… but always want to go ride it again!

Today's image is a screencapture of the on-ride photo taken during that final drop. Shot during a September 2007 trip, it features my sister Karen and my Dad in the front row, my Mom hiding under a white hat in the second row, and Amy & I in the third row.

Historically, there have been no restraints on the ride. You just got in the boat and hung on. However, in January during a rehab, lap bar restraints were added to the logs, apparently to keep folks from trying to get out of them mid-ride. Thanks for ruining the fun, idiots who can't stay on the ride!

Last month, it was great to welcome back an old friend in our community. I'm speaking of the Patio Theater, a historic 1927 movie house here in the city that closed in 2001.

Marquee on the Patio Theater

Back in my high school years, I remember catching films here with my friends. It was a unique theater because of the abundance of seats (1,500) as well as the very cool ceiling, which featured twinkling star lights and projected clouds that moved.

Gloriously repainted lobby

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