Geeked

You guys, you need to know this about me.

I geek out about stuff.

This weekend husband and I made it down to Jackson Park to explore, via the Jackson Park City Walk Card.

We both read the book Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America by Eric Larson this year.

I geeked out over this book, chapter after chapter.

Highly recommend, especially for Chicagoans or those who love the Windy City and its history.

Devil in the White City is a psych thriller about a psychopathic murderer at Chicago's World Fair in 1893.

I went nuts for the details of the gritty, dark, and dirty Chicago of the 1800's and the wholesome strength of midwest work ethic and architectural and creative genius that hoisted the World Fair on its Big Shoulders.

One of the buildings from the World Fair still stands today, recognized by most as today's Science and Industry Museum.

Everything else burned down, but Jackson Park still holds the landscape structure of the fair and the site of all the murder, magic, and madness of Chicago's grandest and darkest year in history.

We explored until the day went dark, 

and then went and had late night burgers under the lights of our favorite outdoor patio back in our neighborhood.

Do you ever go on geeky date nights?

Return of the City Walk Cards

A couple Sundays ago the first signs of spring washed over the city.

Those signs came in over-exposed sunshine and a bright hue of blue to the sky that reminded me of Lake Michigan's summer ceiling.

Husband resolutely left his winter coat behind, while I still wrapped up in my favorite scarf and gloves.

I think I ended up being the happier, but thanks to husband all the same for his nod to spring ideation.

But it's true, there was enough spring in the day to bring us out into the streets and neighborhoods, to find new nooks and corners of the city to meet.

 City Walk Cards are part of our Chicago habit, and this day we chose the University of Chicago in Hyde Park.

Have you been?  I mean.  I freaked out the whole time.

And the ivy tracing every face of the buildings wasn't even budded yet.

The Hyde Park neighborhood holds not just UChicago, but 

old bookstores, and more old bookstores, and then the oldest used bookstore in Chicago, O'Gara & Wilson.

Okay fine.

I like you.

At afternoon's end, we did the only city-walk-respecting thing to do, which is to walk into a local diner, ask what's good, and pay cash because there's no assurance that a historic neighborhood diner with a fuzzy old TV set humming in the background takes credit cards. 
But they do take explorers. 

City Walk #17: Old Town Triangle District

This month's Real Simple had a column asking, "If you were suddenly given a free day this summer, how would you spend it?" My mind shot up its hand so fast and waved it in the air, "Me, me, pick me, I know!"

"City Walks!"

Many thanks to my friend, Kirra, for introducing me to Chicago City Walk Cards, I now have a new obsession. Maybe love is a less offensive word. I love Chicago. And because I love my city, I naturally love a deck of cards containing facts, directions, and maps to 50 different Chicago neighborhoods...that is so "yay!"


After Kirra lent me her cards, I knew this was a $14.95 that was going to have to be spent.

Exploring the rich (and I don't mean wealthy, although to some that would definitely apply) neighborhoods, most of which I have never uncovered, following the winding streets, taking in the flavors and finding the treasures and landmarks of the many nooks of this city completely sweeps me off my feet. Don't worry though, my love is not blind: the cards explore safe neighborhoods and streets.

So whenever I am feeling good and it's not pouring down rain (a heck of an elusive combination this June), I easily know how I want to spend the day.

Hey, if you live in a big city, why not find out if they have city walk cards for your city? Just spreadin' the love.

If not, by all means, please enjoy Chicago with me through my camera lens.  Enjoy the walk through the

Old Town Triangle District

{This area pre-dated the Chicago Fire & was originally settled by German Immigrants.

Today it is re-built after being destroyed by the fire, and is very affluent. The residential streets are quiet and charming!}

{A row of Queen Anne styled homes

lots of detail in the architecture}

{A darling row of houses

a less urban feel than most}

{I would love to live here}

{And drop off my mail here}

{St. Michael's Church

One of 7 buildings in the city to survive the Chicago Fire}

{Home of Joseph O'Connell, who helped Chicago get the telephone}

{Really happy with our first city walk adventure

even though it was so hot outside}

So many beautiful streets and homes in this neighborhood that I was too busy gawking at and imagining the lives of the people who live there, instead of photographing all the charm. So these few random pictures will have to do. Told you I was swept off my feet!