A dip in temperatures means that Chicago weather is moving back to its natural state but it also means that it’s the season for ice skating in Millennium Park. A Chicago tradition for 9 years, skaters can spin around the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink until March 14, weather permitting and it always does. Glide around the 200 feet long and 80 feet wide rink with the glistening Cloudgate “Bean” sculpture as the backdrop. Skate rental is $10 if you don’t bring your own. I defintitely recommend bringing a scarf, hat, mittens and thick socks to shield your skin against the notorious Chicago wind. Read More »
Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood has gained lots of visibility as the home of President Barack Obama but he’s not the only exciting aspect of the area. This stately south side neighborhood is also home to the DuSable Museum of African American History. Named for the founder of Chicago, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, the museum is the first and oldest institution of its kind in the country. Located on the sprawling grounds of Washiington Park, DuSable offers a great family excursion. Enter the museum and you’re greeted with a life-sized mosaic mural of DuSable, who was a wealthy explorer and fur trader. Read More »
It would seem that summer has finally arrived in Ohio and while temperatures in the mid to upper 80’s and low 90’s might seem insignificant to the majority of people in America, it’s the humidity that’s bothering us. We’re Ohioans, we don’t do humidity! Besides, it frizzes my hair. The most logical alternative is to stay indoors in very close proximity to an air-conditioner and a well stocked refrigerator.
I’m not logical. (I blame the kids–they incapacitate the area of my brain responsible for rational thought.)
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello at Charlottesville, VA
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello is located just outside of Charlottesville, VA. More specifically, it is just over the halfway point from our house in Ohio to Cape Hatteras, NC at the southern tip of the island chain known as The Outer Banks. Why is this important? And why would I bother telling you so?
Because when you are traveling from Ohio to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, more specifically, when you are traveling from Ohio to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with five small children, you’re going to want to break that up. Trust me! My kids are stellar traveling companions and I’d take them anywhere without hesitation, but experience has taught me Read More »
I love the rich history of my home called San Francisco. That history brings lots of tourists every year to walk and eat their way through historic Chinatown, see the Golden Gate Bridge and have a drink at the top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel. But what I really love about my home is its underbelly, its darker side.
Besides an infamous earthquake in 1906, San Francisco’s history includes men being shanghaied, a wild Barbary Coast and Alcatraz Island. It shouldn’t surprise you then that one of my favorite things to recommend for visitors is the Anchor Steam Brewery Tour.
Anchor is the last operating brewery in San Francisco. Andrew, a guide who gives the morning tour explains to about thirty people daily, that in 1896 dozens of breweries were in the city. I imagine this contributed to the creation of the Barbary Coast District don’t you?
Proud to be still standing...
After Prohibition ended in 1933 only Anchor Steam returned to San Francisco.
Andrew our guide
During the 1960’s Fritz Maytag, heir to the appliance company (the one with the Maytag Repairman commercials), took sole ownership of Anchor Steam. Soon after an unknown Janis Joplin flew into town to join her new band, and came on the tour. It was at the start of her career in 1966 and you’d hardly recognize her. I’m only showing this sign rather than her image they have up because of copyright laws.
Young Janis Joplin liked the tour too!
Today Anchor Brewing has 50 employees. They produce 100,000 bottles of beer a day. You are not allowed to take photographs inside but they have a bottling area that is straight out of Laverne and Shirley, and Shotz Brewery. The tour is great for kids to learn about old school American industry. You need to call a month ahead for a reservation but the tour is free of charge. Your guide will walk you over three floors before you return to the tasting room for about 30 minutes of sampling, which is also free.
Fun facts: In case you ever wondered, the recipe for their Christmas ale is their only secret, and they change it slightly every year. “Steam” beer is an old nickname for beer brewed along the West Coast under primitive conditions and without ice.
