Exploring the Neighborhoods in Toronto | RebeccaWanderlusting

Exploring Neighborhoods in Toronto

On November 1, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Canada, International Travel1 Comment

When we were in Toronto, Mike and I wanted to explore their different and diverse neighborhoods. So between being shameless tourists at CN Tower and Casa Loma, we biked, walked and took the train around the city. It was probably my favorite part of our time there, getting around and getting a feel for each area. I wish we could have gotten to more of the neighborhoods in Toronto, but I think we were able to see a good amount given the time that we had.

Bloordale Village

We came to the Bloordale Village neighborhood solely to check out a bookstore called Monkey’s Paw, which I heard was really cool. The store specialized in rare and unusual books and had everything from old medical texts to books of maps to beautiful editions of classic novels. They have a book vending machine that spits out old books for a $2 (CAD) coin. It’s amazing and Mike and I each got one. We were intending to move on to the next neighborhood, but the store next to Monkey’s Paw, Zebuu, drew us in with it’s colorful prints and cozy home goods.

From there, we were hooked by each store we passed. We stopped into a record store that Mike really enjoyed called Dead Dog Records. They had an excellent selection of well-kept albums from all imaginable genres. Next door to this records shop was a heavenly thrift shop called Ransack the Universe. This store had mountains of old books, cameras, records and jewelry that were perfect for rummaging. Once we had our fill of the shops, we stopped into Duffy’s Tavern for a beer and some lunch. The restaurant had an oak bar that ran the length of the wall with plenty of bars on tap and football and soccer games on the TVs behind it. We split and order of poutine (yum!) and BLTs.

Distillery District

The Distillery District is a pedestrian only neighborhood with cobblestone streets and beautiful old brick buildings. Mike and I walked in and out of the stores and galleries, all of which were a little pricey but they had some really cute stuff! There were a few that I really liked, including a clothing boutique called GotStyle and a gift store called Black Bird Vintage Finds. There were quite a few wedding photo shoots happening while we were in the neighborhood, especially by a an iron sign that said LOVE with love locks all over it. It was so dang cute.

After making the rounds, we decided to move back to Spirit of York for a flight of house-distilled vodka, gin and aquafit. The distillery was very chic, all copper, chrome and glass inside. We chose two leather chairs to sink into and taste test our spirits. They were very flavorful and light, but I still had to chug water after each one. I’m not yet sophisticated enough to drink straight gin.

Kensington Market

Mike and I biked to Kensington Market from Bloordale Village, along main streets and through a gorgeous neighborhood with tree-lined streets. Originally, I was opposed to this idea, but Mike convinced me that it would be fun to try out Toronto’s bike share (much like Chicago’s Divvy Bikes). I ended up loving it, which made me wonder why I’ve never done it before. Regardless, we were able to return our bikes near Kensington Market, where we were instantly hit by the smell of nagchampa. We turned onto one of the main streets of the neighborhoods and entered a colorful world of thrift stores, head shops and cafes. It was reminiscent of Haight Ashbury in San Francisco. We stopped into a cafe there called Fika for some caffeine, and I tried their Canadian Spiced Latte, which was flavored with cardamom and mint. It was delicious, and the cafe was gorgeous. We took our coffees to go and strolled through the crowded streets. I have to say, this neighborhood’s street art was on point. Each alley wall was covered with colorful depictions of people and places

Among the secondhand stores and jewelry stalls (which were fun to browse through, but kind of blended together after a while) were some true gems. There was The Organic Press, a juicery that also sold beautiful potted plants and ceramics, and Paradise Bound, a record store that also sold Japanese art. These among others are a solid reason to visit this neighborhood and immerse yourself in it’s crazy, colorful vibes.

Leslieville

Leslieville was my favorite neighborhood of the trip for good reason. Their cute boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants were a dream to pop in and out of. We started off the day having breakfast at Lady Marmalade’s, a cute, brightly-lit cafe that served breakfast and lunch. I had the bread pudding of the day, which was apple cinnamon (dessert for breakfast, hooray!) and Mike had the huevos migos. The food was excellent and the coffee was served in mismatched cups and saucers. We sat at a table by the window and the sun was nice and warm, creating a cozy, golden atmosphere that was hard to leave. The rest of our time spent in Leslieville had a similar effect. We walked up one side of Queen Street and down the other on orange leaf covered sidewalks. Good Neighbor was the first shop we went into and it set the bar pretty high for all the others. It marketed itself as a general store, selling a little bit of everything (including, but not limited to: clothing, home goods, paper goods and jewelry). I loved their Up North brand, which had the warmest looking knit hats.

We went to Queen books next, which was a beautifully curated and whimsically decorated wonderland. Each display was so thoughtful and the staff picks (something I totally judge bookstores on) were spectacular. I wish I could say we bought something, but we had too many books in our luggage already. There are two Arts Market storefronts in Leslieville, and we went into them both. They are collectives of local art and antiques and they are both amazing. I particularly loved the feminist enamel pins and the plastic dinosaur planters. We went into a few more stores before our parking meter was up, but the standout of the day was Brika. I loved everything they had in their beautiful shop, especially their prints and paper goods (am I the only one who will buy ten planners in a year because they’re each so great??). I left with a cute pair of earrings and the info for their online store, which does indeed ship to the States.

Have you explored the neighborhoods in Toronto? Which is your favorite?

Tourists in Toronto | RebeccaWanderlusting

Being Tourists in Toronto

On October 28, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Canada, International Travel4 Comments

We arrived in Toronto with slight hangovers from a friend’s wedding the night before and a list of places we wanted to see. The first orders of business were: greasy food to cure us, checking into our AirBnB, and deciding on which attractions we wanted to see first.

Because it was on the same street as our Airbnb (just down a ways), we decided to start with the Hockey Hall of Fame. Mike was very excited about this excursion and I was equally as happy to check it off the list (hockey’s not really my thing, despite Mike’s best efforts). The walk down Front Street gave us a great view of the cityscape, and the weather was perfect for wandering.

The Hockey Hall of Fame was situated in the lower level of a mall, tucked into the back near the food court. The entry fee is $19, which is a fair enough price for the amount of memorabilia they have. The standout feature was the Stanley Cup, which was proudly displayed in a beautiful room with a stained glass ceiling. They also had some really fun interactive games and exhibits, including a game where you got foam pucks shot at you as you try to defend your goal.

We exited through the extraordinarily overpriced gift shop and made our way further down Front Street to the St. Lawrence Market, which was much more my style. The market is housed in a huge, brick building and in large tents across the street and is only open on the weekends.

We went inside the building and were immediately hit with amazing smells ranging from fresh baked goods to fruits to coffee to cheese. Each stall presented a fresh new product and experience and it was so fun to walk up and down the aisles. We played with the idea of getting ingredients for dinner to cook at the Airbnb, but we didn’t want to have to run back there to drop the items off.

The cheese and wine in particular were very tempting to me, but my favorite stall was Eve’s Temptations – a bakery that sold beautiful tasty treats. I especially enjoyed their macarons (we tried chocolate caramel and cassis). Nearby to the St. Lawrence Market and Hockey Hall of Fame is the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium. We tried to tack these onto our first day of exploring and just couldn’t swing it; we were so tired.

The next morning, we woke up early, grabbed coffee from the cafe next door, Atlas, and headed over to Casa Loma via public transit. We hoofed it uphill from the train station and up a few flights of stairs to get to the castle. Like the staircase, the entry fee is a little steep at $27 per person, but it came with the guided audio tour which was cool. I will say, if you’re going to visit Casa Loma, do so during the week because it gets super crowded.

While I liked exploring the rooms (especially the library) and learning the history of Casa Loma, my favorite part of the tour was the North Tower. We had to climb two spiral staircases to get to the top of it, but the view was well worth it. I think it may be the best place to view the skyline in Toronto. We really wanted to go down through the tunnels and anunder the castle, but unfortunately it was closed due to a haunted house they were setting up.

On our second night in Toronto, we walked over at dusk to the two neighboring attractions: CN Tower and the Aquarium, and bought a dual ticket for both. The dual ticket is only available online but gives a pretty significant discount, so we bought them in the lobby of the CN Tower before heading up. The elevator to the top is preceded by posters noting facts about the towers construction and a photo-op in front of a green screen. The elevator shoots you up to the top of the 1,800 foot tower at records speed, causing your ears to pop as you look out at the city through the glass walls.

I only kind of wish we came during the day, just so we could see more of the city, but the view at night was still stunning. There are two levels from which you can get a 360 degree view of Toronto and a glass floor to scare the crap out of you. It took some cajoling to get Mike to stand on it, and even then he could only walk quickly across (scaredy cat).

Once we got our fill of the view, we hopped back on the elevator to exit through yet another gift shop to walk next door to the aquarium. I’m not usually one for visiting aquariums on vacations, but I have to say, this one was kind of amazing. Each tank and exhibit were laid out so nicely and there is a tunnel through their large aquarium that you can walk through and walk under sharks. SHARKS!! I walked through twice, it was so cool.

We had so much fun exploring and exclaiming over each fish and critter. The jellyfish exhibit was particularly entrancing. We sat for awhile watching them glide up and down in their tank. We left once we realized it was 9pm and we hadn’t eaten dinner yet, so we walked over to KitKat Italian Bar and Grill. The romantically-lit restaurant was the perfect spot for our impromptu dinner date. They had Montelpuciano wine on their menu, which is one of my favorites.

Mike ordered ribs and I ordered their special pasta for the evening, which was a roasted red pepper agnolotti with artichokes and eggplant. The food was spectacular and exactly what we wanted after a long day walking around. We lingered over the food and wine; the servers were so kind and attentive. It was a wonderful way to end our day of exploring Toronto’s top attractions.

Have you been to Toronto? Which attractions should not be skipped?

Monthly Memo: Octoober | RebeccaWanderlusting

Monthly Memo: October

On October 24, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle, Monthly MemoLeave a comment

Hello from Toronto! Actually, by the time this posts, Mike and I will be near Niagara Falls, hopefully on a boat. I can’t believe this year is almost over, it seems like each month, especially October, is just rushing by.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen that my friends and I threw a fundraiser at Bang Bang Pie and Biscuits here in Chicago earlier this month. We screened short films by amazing female directors, had some really delicious food and beer available and held a raffle full of fantastic prizes, all for Planned Parenthood. I’m happy to report the event went off without a hitch and we raised a large sum that we donated all to this wonderful organization. If you live in the area, keep a look out for our next events! You can find us on all the normal social media outlets and at our website!

Monthly Memo: October | RebeccaWanderlusting

That’s one of the reasons the last month or so flew by, it definitely kept us all busy! I also started an online creative non-fiction writing class through Gotham Writers, which I’m loving. I shared one of my essays/assignments on the blog last week and will perhaps share more depending on the upcoming assignments.

I’ve been trying to read more non-fiction this year (another one of my goals) and have just finished my thirteenth of the year – “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck”. It’s one of the few self-improvement books I’ve read recently and I have to say, I liked it despite it having some bro rhetoric. The main thing I took away from it though was that not everything needs to be an ordeal and our energy is so much better spent on things that are worthy. I’ll share my favorite books of that category in a separate post soon, but I have to say, I’m enjoying reading the different perspective and taking the advice I like and leaving the rest.

How is your October going? What are you working on, what are you current hobbies?

Top Five Friday, Favorite Travel Bloggers | RebeccaWanderlusting

Top Five Friday #24

On October 20, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Five Friday, Travel Tips2 Comments

My Favorite Travel Bloggers

When I first started this blog, I looked to other female travel bloggers for inspiration and encouragement. As they succeeded, I started to form some idea of where I wanted my own blog to go. Of all the blogs I read for the last couple years, there are a few that stand out to be favorites for their writing style, chosen destinations and photos. I’ve followed these ladies for a while and will continue to do so as long as they continue adding new content. So, without further ado and in no particular order, here are my favorite travel bloggers:

The Everywhereist – Geraldine is not only one of my favorite travel bloggers, but also one of my favorite writers. I started reading her blog a few years ago and just recently read her book as well. I love the way she picks up on small details of her trips and writes about them as opposed to writing about a destination as a whole. Her writing makes me laugh out loud in an embarrassing way (especially so when I’m on the subway or at work).
Post you should read: “Driving the Amalfi Coast Highway”
Be My Travel Muse – This woman is the epitome of solo female travel. Her adventures are amazing and make me so, so jealous. I love her confidence and her approach to travel, and her advice is always spot on. I can only hope that I will have half as many exciting experiences in my lifetime as she has had in her time of travel blogging. I would count that as a success.
Post you should read: “This is Why We Travel”
Alex in Wanderland – I love this blog so much. Her light and fun writing is a joy to read, and I honestly think it saved my sanity when I would read it at my previous job. It is just such a nice break from reality, and the content is diverse in destinations which provides some great trip planning inspiration.
Post you should read: “The Maine Thing”
Young Adventuress – This is another blog that I have been reading for quite a long time; actually, it’s probably one of the first travel blogs I had come across. While I do love Liz’s travel photography and tales of adventure across the globe, some of my favorite posts are her snarky or satirical commentary on the travel industry. She now resides in New Zealand and has some really great insight on the area.
Post you should read: “Chasing Elves in Iceland”
This Battered Suitcase – Brenna is a beautiful writer and her content is both personal and travel-oriented. This Canada native now traverses the globe, indulging in excellent adventures and writing as she goes. She is so personable and relatable that I always look forward to reading her new posts. She’s working on a book now and I can NOT wait until it’s finished so I can read that too!
Post you should read: “Going Back to Copenhagen”

Who are your favorite travel bloggers? I’ll take any and all recommendations for new blogs!

Trip Planning: Toronto, Ontario

On October 17, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Canada, International Travel, Trip Planning3 Comments

We’re going to Toronto, Ontario next week! I have never been to Canada and I am so very excited for this trip. It seems like it has been such a long time in the making that it’s almost hard to believe that we are finally going. A couple of years ago, Mike and I were supposed to be heading there in the Spring, but life happened and we weren’t able to make it work. Now, I can confidently say that this trip is happening! (I hope I’m not jinxing myself!) This will actually be our first trip out of the country together, which we just recently realized when we both realized we need to renew our passports.

We booked this trip back in August and have been planning bits and pieces ever since. Our plan is to spend two nights in Toronto and one night at Niagara Falls, another first for me! I am actively trying not to do too much research, because I think we are both in need of a slower-paced vacation. I am using my first vacation days earned at my new job (that I started in February) and let me tell you, I need them! Not because I dislike my job, but because we have been so dang busy!

With that in mind, here’s our little (to me anyways, as you know I do like to over-plan) Toronto, Ontario to-do list:

The Royal Ontario Museum
Casa Loma
Massey Hall
The Hockey Hall of Fame
CN Tower
St. Lawrence Market
Toronto Island
The Monkey’s Paw Bookstore
& These Neighborhoods: Leslieville, Kensington Market, and The Distillery District

As far as packing goes, I will be sticking to my typical travel capsule wardrobe, plus some warmer items as it is supposed to be a little on the chilly side while we’re there. I’ll be bringing sweaters and scarves and my warmer jacket to accommodate the temperature.

We will be staying right downtown in a beautiful Airbnb, which I saved a bit of money on by purchasing a Airbnb gift card through Raise. I know I’ve mentioned them in previous posts, but I have been using this online marketplace quite frequently to save money on larger purchases (like vacations… or new clothes). If you’re interested in trying it out, use my promo code WANDER20 to receive $20 off a purchase of $40 or more. The Airbnb we’re staying at is pretty central to everything we want to see, so I’m excited to be able to walk most places.

After spending a few days exploring Toronto, we’re renting a car and driving down to Niagara Falls to stay the night. We are planning on doing ALL of the touristy things (boat tour, hike behind the falls…). I can’t wait!! From there, we’ll drive the rental car back to Toronto Airport and head home, hopefully refreshed and happy.

Have you ever been to Toronto, Ontario?? Feel free to suggest your favorite spots and recommendations in the comments!

Top Five Friday, Where to Find Nature Near Chicago | RebeccaWanderlusting

Top Five Friday #23

On October 13, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Chicago, Top Five FridayLeave a comment

Where to Find Nature Near Chicago

There are so many great parks within the city of Chicago. We have an abundance of green space in our city and it’s one of my favorite things about it. That being said, sometimes you need a little more nature than Chicago can offer. Luckily, there are a ton of really great areas that are close to the city in which you can soak up all the nature you need. All of the places I’ve chosen to find nature near Chicago would make for great day trips or weekend trips if you’re really in need of some fresh air and hiking and are all within 100 miles of the city.

Starved Rock State Park & Matthiessen State Park: These two state parks are so close to each other that I counted them as one. Both of these parks are so pretty, I wouldn’t be able to choose a favorite, but luckily, they can be paired together for a weekend of excellent hiking. Starved Rock has a ton of trails for all levels of hikers, with waterfalls, high flying views of the Illinois River and a beautiful lodge that’s perfect for staying the night or grabbing a meal. Matthiessen also has gorgeous waterfalls and really fun hiking trails with interesting, obstacle-like features.
Rock Cut State Park: Located near Rockford, IL, this park is HUGE and has any sort of outdoor activity you could want. It’s very close to the city, but would also make for a great weekend of camping. There are beautiful hiking trails, 40 miles of trails, to be exact, equestrian trails and mountain bike trails. throughout the park. We enjoyed their lake, Pierce Lake, and the scenery around it as we paddle-boated our way through.
New Buffalo, MI: While there are plenty of amazing places to enjoy Lake Michigan, New Buffalo is, in my humble opinion, the prettiest. The beach there is pristine and uncrowded, includes a lighthouse, and the best skipping stones. Behind the beach are paths that wind up the dunes, through the tall grass up to a vantage point that shows the entire beach and most of the town. Nearby, the Galien River County Park boasts beautiful hiking trails and other outdoor activities.
Glacial Park: This little known park is located near my hometown in Northwestern Illinois. It has such a diverse landscape, featuring prairies, wetlands, tall hills and subsequent valleys. It’s a nature preserve home to numerous endangered plants and animals. The hiking there is top notch. When I was young, I used to go to a summer camp there and we would spend all day running through the park, learning about the landscape and the species that lived there. I loved it so much, that I always want to visit the park when I’m home and we have some spare time.
Columbus Park: Columbus Park is perhaps the closest one on this list to the city of Chicago. It’s just a town away, in Oak Park, which technically makes it a part of the Chicago Park District. It’s about a twenty-five minute drive from the city. Columbus Park includes a sportier line up of activities, such as a small golf course, baseball diamonds, basketball courts and an outdoor swimming pool. It’s also a gorgeous event venue, with a lovely view of the pond behind it and a short hiking trail just beyond.

Where do you find nature near Chicago? What is your favorite park near your hometown?

Chimney Rock Essay, North Carolina | RebeccaWanderlusting

A Chimney Rock Essay

On October 10, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn North Carolina, US TravelLeave a comment

One of my goals for this year was to take a continued education class, and I waited until I was ten months in to finally get started on that goal. I decided to take a creative non-fiction writing class online through Gotham Writers Workshop, which also has classes in real life in New York. One of our first assignments was to write a memoir -style essay about a crosswords we had to face. I took that literally and wrote about my solo road trip to North Carolina, specifically my time spent in Chimney Rock State Park. I decided it would be fun to share it with you all, dear readers, because it’s travel related and I liked what I wrote. So, without further ado, here it is:

I took one look at the road that zigzagged up the mountain with harrowing hairpin turns and contemplated turning back. I had just driven the forty-five minutes from downtown Asheville to the outskirts of Chimney Rock State Park, and before that, the ten hours from Chicago to Asheville. It should be noted that I am not a good driver; I can more accurately be described as a nervous passenger. I learned how to drive in a small town with three main streets and no highways. I had only just learned how to drive on the expressway a few months before this trip, when my boyfriend pushed me into trying it in his car. He had a good point, I couldn’t go on a solo road trip across state lines without ever having driven on an expressway. Now, here I was in a rented Kia Rio, staring up at a whole new level of driving I had yet to experience.

Internally, I was going over the worst-case scenarios; I turned the volume down on the radio to help me think. I could go careening off the side of the steep cliff, I could crash head first into one of the other cars coming down from the top at a surprisingly quick pace, or I could slide backwards if the tiny car I had chosen because it was the cheapest rental option couldn’t make it all the way up. Finally, after watching multiple cars drive up and down the mountain, I said “fuck it” and headed into the park. I took it slow, hitting the horn every time I came around the bend of one of the hairpin turns. I winced each time a car sped past me going the opposite way, especially the large campers that were somehow swinging around each turn like they were on rails.

Once I neared the top, I felt the knots in my stomach loosen. I pulled up to the parking lot, grateful to be on level ground again. I paid my entry into the park, parked and headed to the start of the hiking trails. There were 500 steps to the top of Chimney Rock, and the view from the top was worth each and every one. The day was clear, I had just conquered one of my biggest fears and I could see the road I had just driven, along with the beautiful valley, river within it and mountains beyond from this vantage point. I was proud of myself and felt like I could accomplish anything after that drive. I hiked around the park with my chin up and breezed back down the mountain, with some of my previous caution but none of the fear.

Share a fear you’ve conquered in the comments!

A Weekend In Rockford, IL

On October 6, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, US Travel4 Comments

Last weekend, Mike and I drove the hour and a half from Chicago to Rockford to see what this suburban city had to offer. We left bright and early on Saturday morning, with our puppy in tow as our hotel was dog-friendly (so was the rest of Rockford, as we learned). I’m not sure why in the world I thought we would be able to check into our room at 9:30am ( I worked at a hotel for five years, I really should know better), but I did and we couldn’t. This resulted in Mike and I parting ways for the first stop in our tour of Rockford, the Anderson Japanese Gardens.

I have to say, we were a little frazzled when we arrived at the gardens, but, once I started walking through, I felt much calmer. The path wove through ponds, over bridges, and next to waterfalls. It was so beautiful and tranquil. There weren’t many people there, but there were quite a few photographers shuffling around each other, trying to get the best shot. My favorite part of the park was the koi fish pond and the area around it, particularly the boardwalk that passed under a huge, perfect willow tree. I really could have grabbed a book and sat there all day.

But we had a lot more on our schedule, so we moved on to downtown Rockford. The main drag, State Street, was lined with cute stores, coffee shops, breweries and restaurants. We popped into Salvaged by Sonja, an amazing antique store, first. The gentleman behind the counter was so friendly and happy to give us more information on the city and recommendations for dinner and activities in the area.

I bought a beautiful bracelet and ring and we crossed the street to Art Deli. This store is the epitome of city pride. Their freshly pressed t-shirts advertise Rockford in all it’s glory and nicknames (Screw City??). The shirts were so cute and soft, but I opted for a tote bag emblazoned with “Explore the Midwest” – it suited me. The proprietors of the shop were also more than happy to discuss the area and tell us all of their favorite places to go for dinner and drinks. We were finding that this was a trend among all of the people we met while in Rockford. Everyone was wonderful, kind and brimming with city pride.

We popped into a couple more stores (CD Source, Minglewood and EuroStyle) before heading to Taco Betty’s for lunch. What a fun restaurant! They’re decor was colorful and whimsical (they had Dirty Harry’s famous line proudly displayed at the front of the restaurant). As soon as we sat down, a bowl of spicy pork rinds was brought to the table, and we ordered some sangria (beer for mike) and poblano guacamole to enjoy while we poured over the menu. We decided to split 3 sets of tacos (each order came with 2): Mole Chicken, Crispy Fish, and Pork & Poblano. Everything was delicious, but the fish tacos were without a doubt the best I’ve ever had. Actually, I wish I had some now.

We were lucky enough to meet the owner, Paul, who also operates two other restaurants on State Street: Abreo and Social Urban. He was another enthusiastic Rockfordian who was happy to tell us how far along the city has come in the past five years.

We finished up our lunch and headed back out onto the main drag to get some coffee from Wired (a cozy cafe with delicious espresso). We finally got a call from the hotel saying we could check in, so we made our way to the Holiday Inn Express 15 minutes outside downtown to do so. We then drove into Rock Cut State Park, which was very close by, to meet Andrea from Go Rockford for some boating on Pierce Lake.

We chose a paddle boat because we thought it would be the easiest, but it took a surprising amount of effort to propel that thing. There were a lot of other boats on the lake (kayaks, row boats, fishing boats…), and once we got to the middle, we stopped to take it all in. The scenery was really just stunning, especially with the leaves changing color along the shore. It was so peaceful out in the middle of the lake, even with the hollering fisherman and rowdy family reunions in the park.

After a while, we headed back in, peddling hard and moving slowly. Once we finally made it to the dock, we turned in our life jackets and headed back to the hotel to grab my camera and make sure Brody was comfortable. From there, we moved onto Prairie Street Brewhouse, which was close to the main drag downtown. The old warehouse still had the train tracks running through it and was both a restaurant/bar and event space. We were meeting the CEO of Go Rockford, John, who graciously showed us through the first two floors of the building. They were set up for a wedding in their larger event space and it was gorgeous (made me want to start making some plans…). The three of us sat outside on the pier to drink our house-brewed beers. I had their Black & Blue Kolsch, which was tart and delicious.

The weather, scenery, and conversation were all perfect and Mike and I agreed that we’d need to come back to this beautiful brewhouse sooner rather than later. The next stop in our makeshift bar hop was Social Urban, a lounge-style restaurant with community seating and wonderful, smoke-filled bourbon cocktails that taste like cinnamon. The making of said cocktails was a show all its own, with smoke and sparks and requiring two bartenders. We also ordered the cheese curds (a recommendation from our friends at Art Deli), the cheese plate and the charcuterie plate.

Everything was local or from one of the surrounding areas and it was all so damn good. The cheese plate came with this amazing jalapeno & cherry jelly and the charcuterie plate had HOMEMADE BOLOGNA!! We were in heaven. At one point, the waiter came over to chat, quipping that most people only get cheese plates to start or end the meal. To which I answered “we get it for an entree, RESPECT THE CHEESE!” Mike noted that I said it too forcefully to be taken as a joke, but I meant it. I just really like cheese.

After we finished every last bite, we decided to stroll down State street again, and popped into the local skate shop, Ground Level. We met the owners, yet more proof that Rockford is full of proud citizens/wonderful people, who were happy to give us more recommendations and convinced us to go to Carlyle Brewing next door. Though their main selling point, the shuffle board & dart boards in the back room, were closed for a private event, we thoroughly enjoyed sitting at the bar sipping CBR’s (Carlyle Beer Rocks). This crisp, delicious beer was the breweries take on the classic PBR recipe.

We next made our way to the Pig Minds, a vegan brewery in an industrial area outside of downtown. They were having their Oktoberfest with a live band out on their patio and a full (vegan) German menu. The restaurant was bustling, and we had to do a couple laps before we found a spot at the bar. We both loved our chosen beers (a blueberry ale and a coffee stout) so much that we left with two growlers to take home. We ordered some vegan pretzel sticks and cheese to enjoy while we listened to the band. The bar had such a fun atmosphere.

Our last stop of the night was the Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens. They were (and still are – until November 5) showcasing the Bruce Munro light show, which took place within the greenhouse and through the gardens. I’m so happy we didn’t skip it to turn in early like we discussed at Pigs Mind. It was so much fun. We walked the length of the gardens, through each exhibit, reading the inspiring explanations as we went. I really loved the flamingos exhibit and the fields of twinkling lights. I hope they do a show like this again, because it really was so pretty.

We drove back to the hotel afterwards and promptly fell asleep as soon as we got our pajamas on. The next morning, we met Andrea and her husband, Nick, for breakfast at Lydia’s Cafe, a local favorite. It was a sweet little spot with local art on the walls. I got a plate-sized blueberry pancake and Mike got a skillet named for the a park in the area. The meal was perfect and delicious comfort food and the company was fantastic. We chatted like old friends and made plans to meet up again in Chicago.

We had such a wonderful time! Who knew there was such a perfect oasis so close to Chicago?! I can confidently say that we will be making our way back to Rockford very soon.

Have you ever been to Rockford? Where is your favorite oasis near your city?

**A huge thank you to the wonderful people at Go Rockford for hosting us and showing us the best parts of this fun town**

Monthly Memo: September

On September 26, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Lifestyle, Monthly MemoLeave a comment

Hooray, it’s finally Fall! Though you wouldn’t know it with this 80+ degree weather we’re having in Chicago this past week. We actually just had the hottest September 22 in recorded history. Lucky us! It’s been a hectic month so far, with work, family plans, weddings and other commitments. We started the month at my cousin’s wedding back in my hometown, which was so much fun. I was also just at a bachelorette party the other night for my friend whose wedding is next month; that will be four of five for this year.

I’m also working on planning a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood next month with my friends, a beautiful group of women that make up Moon Rise. I can’t wait to see all of our hard work come together (Sunday, October 8 from 6pm to 9pm at Bang Bang Pie – come hang with us if you’re in Chicago)! We’ve been planning this event for the past five or six months, so it should be a fantastic affair! This will be our third fundraiser, the first two benefited the Empowerment Plan, an organization out of Detroit that employs formerly homeless woman to create sleeping bag coats for homeless men and women.

Last week I talked about creating a travel capsule wardrobe, which then inspired me to clean out my closet and get rid of a ton of stuff I never wear (most of which I’ll be donating to Goodwill). This purge then sent me into a cleaning frenzy and now I’m on a mission to get rid of everything I don’t use or wear. I did this before we moved to Logan Square, but I’m doing another round just to clear out unnecessary clutter. I’ve shared this link before, but Caroline at Un-Fancy has been a fun inspiration for my clothing de-cluttering spree.

In terms of travel, Mike and I have been trying to plan weekend trips around the Midwest when we can. I work about every other weekend, so when I have a full weekend off, we’ve been trying to take advantage of it. Two Sundays ago, we checked out New Buffalo, Michigan and had a blast going to the beach and walking around downtown. This coming weekend we’re heading to Rockford for the weekend to tryout their breweries and explore. The next Midwest destinations I have my eye on are New Glarus, WI and Cleveland, OH.

Outside of Midwest travel, the only other trip we have planned for sure right now is Toronto next month. We’ve been chatting about Acapulco or Belize in the beginning of next year, but we’ll see what happens! In the meantime, I’m just happy to be exploring any where.

What are your plans for the fall? What was your favorite September moment?

New Buffalo, Michigan | RebeccaWanderlusting

Day Trip: New Buffalo, MI

On September 22, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Michigan, US Travel3 Comments

The journey from Chicago to New Buffalo, MI takes an hour in a half in the car and $8.10 in tolls. I can’t tell you up front that it’s well worth it. We had been trying to plan this day trip to New Buffalo all summer, so I was very excited when we finally got it together and drove there last weekend. Our first stop in this new city was the beautiful beach in town. We paid for parking and tip-toed across the hot, hot sand and past the super cute landmark lighthouse to the surprisingly not crowded lakefront. The few people populating the beach lounged under umbrellas and atop towels in the sunshine, and Mike and I picked out a free spot amongst them to set up. I immediately ran into the lake to stick my feet in the water. Lake Michigan was perfectly cerulean, clear and cold.

Behind the beach, grass covered dunes loomed; the whole scene was beautiful. I walked up and down the beach while Mike lounged, it was too pretty to sit still. I wanted to jump into the water so badly but due to a (minor) surgery earlier in the week, I had to settle for wading in up to my knees. We’ll just have to come back to swim I suppose. After a while, we decided to hike up the sand dunes to the boardwalk at the top. The view was breathtaking from every angle. It almost looked like the beach from Jaws, on the East coast.

As we made our way back down to the parking lot, we decided it was time to grab some lunch. Mike dropped me off at the door at the Stray Dog Bar & Grill, just across the bridge from the beach, and went off to find parking. This proved to be a difficult task, as he didn’t join me in the restaurant for another twenty minutes. While I waited for him, I checked out their beautiful rooftop terrace, which we ultimately opted out of due to the heat. We both ordered local beers (I got Kolsch by Round Barn – yum!), and, because the Bears game was on, we decided to order buffalo shrimp and chorizo nachos. The food was fantastic and perfect for watching the football game.

We watched the first half of the game at Stray Dog and then caught the next quarter down the street at the Beer Church Brewery where we engage in some light day drinking. While half of the church was currently under renovation, it was still a lovely place to sip a craft beer and catch some football. I had the Crooked Cross Ale and Mike had the Midnight in a Perfect World, which he enjoyed so much that we left with a Crowler (2 pint can) of it. At the brewery, we met a lovely couple who gave us some great recommendations in the area to check out.
(If churches made into breweries is something that strikes your fancy, check out Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids too!)

We decided to take their advice and head to the next town over, Union Pier, to check out the St. Julian Winery. On our way back to the car, we strolled down the main drag, Whittaker Street, and stopped into some stores as we went. We really loved Whittaker House (a cute boutique with beautiful jewelry and clothing), Frolic (gorgeous jewelry and fun knick knacks), and Designed Cottage Scapes (cozy home goods).

In between stopping into the stores, we popped into David’s Delicatessen & Coffee for some caffeine. The cool cafe featured home-baked and pre-packaged snacks and a cozy backroom with a fireplace and comfy armchairs. Mike and I took the opportunity to take a breather and plan out the rest of our day.

We drove the short way from New Buffalo to Union Pier to check out the oldest winery in Michigan, St. Julian Winery. We weren’t really sure what to expect walking in, but it was a really fun experience! We decided to do a wine tasting, which was only $6 to try six of their fantastic wines (and included a St. Julian wine glass). We chose to try the dry wines, which progressed from a sparkling rose, to whites to reds and finishing with a brandy. Chris, who was our wine guide for the afternoon, was very charismatic and knowledgeable. The wines were all very good, but we especially liked the Cock of the Walk red blend, which we bought a bottle of to bring home.

Our last stop of the day was Lakeside Antiques. This multiple building antique superstore was just down the road from St. Julian Winery. It was the perfect combination of curated and rummage-worthy piles of treasures. I especially liked all of their unique art on the walls, which of course was all for sale. It was a little pricey, but it was also very fun to browse through.

As we walked out of Lakeside Antiques, it started to rain, which perfectly summed up the way we felt about leaving New Buffalo to go back to reality. This little lakeside town made for the perfect little trip from the city. It had a little bit of everything: a beautiful beach, craft beers, and fun stores. We are looking forward to visiting again!