Puerto Rico!

Back in March Heather, MB, Ted and myself took a trip together to Puerto Rico. It was a trip of many firsts: it was all of our first time in PR, it was the first time I traveled to a warm climate in the Winter (the day we left for the trip Chicago had gotten hammered with 10 inches of snow) and it was the first time since I was, I don't know...13 since I've been on a beach. It wasn't too terrible, I must admit.


View From Our Back Deck, Maniti, Puerto Rico


MB & Ted on the Private Beach, Maniti, Puerto Rico

The entire time of our stay, the Ocean was extremely angry, bringing huge waves and un-swimmable waters. The rock cove pictured below was probably about 20 ft. tall, to give you some idea.
(Not pictured: MB & Ted getting taken out by said waves)

Rough Waters, Maniti, Puerto Rico

We spent an afternoon exploring around Old San Juan, a city that is completely sequestered by massive brick walls. The Spanish erected these structures, as well as two protective forts, back in the 1500s to keep their (many) enemies at bay.

Walls Around Old San Juan, Puerto Rico


Walls Around Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

A Fort's Watchtower, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico


The Fort was massive and terrifying, but provided some stellar vistas.


View from the Fort, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
(Spot The Cat for Extra Credit) 

 
View from the Fort, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico


Heather At the Fort, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico




MB at the Fort,  Old San Juan, Puerto Rico


Abstract Nature, Maniti Puerto Rico


Heather, MB, and Pecas, on the Beach, Puerto Rico

To see some more shots from the trip, click on this and head on over to Flickr.

Back Yard Tourist

A few weeks back I had the chance to play tourist in my own town and head to the Sky Deck at the Sears Willis Tower. It'd been quite a few years since I'd been up there, and I was anxious to see if I'd have the nerve to go out on one of those psycho-glass-box-obserervation decks (I did). The views from up there are obviously top notch, especially on a clear Fall day.

Sky Deck, Chicago,  2012

Sky Deck, Chicago,  2012

Sky Deck, Chicago,  2012

Woman in a Cube, Chicago,  2012

Instagrammer, Chicago,  2012

There's a few more over on Flickr, if you're so inclined. 

BEST COAST? PT. 3

Besides touring the coast and driving along the mountains towards Paso Robles, we spent a decent amount of time in San Francisco hanging out with some of our closest and bestest pals.  One afternoon Heather, Stephen, and myself went for a stroll and happened upon The Palace of Fine Arts building near the Marina District. As you can tell, it looks like a building that's confused about what time period it is. Pretty stunning.


Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco,  2012

Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco,  2012

Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco,  2012

Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco,  2012

Young Americans, San Francisco,  2012

Stephen; Contemplating, San Francisco,  2012


Per usual, we also made our way up to Napa. This was Gretchen's first visit there - needless to say she was pretty excited.


View from Cade Winery, Napa Valley,  2012

View from Cade Winery, Napa Valley,  2012

One of These Persons is 40, Napa Valley,  2012

This is the last post from this trip, promise. If you'd like to see the entire set of photos they're all on Flickr and can be viewed right this way. Thanks for peeping.

Best Coast? Pt. 2

During the aforementioned trip south down HWY 1 from San Francisco, we took a turn and headed east towards Paso Robles.  The landscape along HWY 46 quickly changed from ocean-side rock formations to lush, grass-filled mountains. There was also fog. Lots of fog.


Near Paso Robles California, 2012

Near Paso Robles California, 2012


Near Paso Robles California, 2012


Near Paso Robles California, 2012

On the way back towards the city we stopped at a park along 101 and went on a "hike," in that we walked and had to climb on some rocks. Tough racket.


Hike Off HWY, California, 2012


Hike Off HWY, California, 2012


Kintner in the Woods, California, 2012

 
HWY 1 Gull Chaser, California, 2012

Next up, some San Francisco treats.

Best Coast? Pt.1

Back in May HK and I headed out west to San Francisco for chance to meet up with friends, head to Napa with Jeff and Gretchen, and see some sites that we somehow have missed out on during previous visits. We spent a few days driving the coast along HWY 1 - how I have never done this before I do not know, but I'm glad I finally did.


Big Sur, California, 2012

Pfeiffer Beach, California, 2012

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California, 2012

Big Sur, California, 2012

Pfeiffer Beach, California, 2012

Pfeiffer Beach, Model Unknown, California, 2012

Big Sur, California, 2012

Big Sur, California, 2012

More to come...

Milwaukee: City of Tiny Dreams

A few weeks back some  pals went up to Milwaukee (which may be the coolest city in America, no joke) for the weekend. I'm never not amazed by the businesses and institutions that are thriving in this great city (if you ever are in Milwaukee and you don't go to Angelo's Piano Lounge, well, then you still haven't gone to  Milwaukee). One of the places we checked out was Koz's Mini Bowl, which is exactly what it sounds like - a damn tiny bowling alley. It's housed in a nondescript bar on a residential street, and it's awesome.

But first, the stunning view from our hotel window.

Revitalizing Juneau, Milwaukee, 201

Keith As a Giant, Milwaukee, 2012

Koz's (Notice the Pin Setter?), Milwaukee, 2012

Kintner Tells Niki Another Off-Color Joke, Milwaukee, 2012

Koz's, Milwaukee, 2012