Sailing Lake Michigan

On Sunday afternoon, Sam, Ange, and I threw on our boat shoes and headed to Belmont Harbor.  Our sailing adventure was about to get underway and it looked like it was going to be a beautiful evening for a sunset sail.  Our "captain" was great (and a Teach For America Alumni - small world) and we had a large boat all to ourselves.

We motored out to the lake and all chipped in as we prepared to set sail.  Sam hoisted the main sheet, Ange took care of the jib sheet, and I took the tiller.  Two minutes later, we look over to see a dark storm cloud moving in - fast.  We immediately turned around and headed back to the dock after our captain got a call that heavy rain was going to be pounding our boat in a matter of minutes.  Our sailing adventure came to an end before it even started.  We made it back to Sam's car just seconds before a torrential downpour.


Although we are "crossing" sailing off our bucket list, we are determined to give it another shot next season.

Kayaking the Chicago River

One word.  Yuck.

Once again, we used Living Social to get a great deal on kayaking the Chicago River.  We picked up our kayaks by Goose Island and paddled down to where the river splits.  Sam and I chose to take a two person kayak, which turns out to be harder to control than a single.

It is no secret that the Chicago River is highly polluted but it becomes even more apparent when you are just a few inches off the water.  In the 1900s, Engineers reversed the direction of the Chicago River bringing sewage and debris into the city's water source.  Granted, the quality of water has improved since then - but I am pretty sure that even today you would need to be quarantined if you were to fall in the water.  Or at least have to get a tetanus shot.  We had to paddle through pure garbage - we were just waiting for a dead body to float to the surface.  Once you reach the fork in the river, the view of the city is awesome but it is hard to take in Chicago's architectural wonders when you are concentrating on not flipping the kayak (or getting hit by massive barge that cruises right by you).  I think the best part of the adventure was getting two feet on dry land without having fallen into the river.

Sushi Making Pros

We finally kicked off our bucket list at the end of June with a Sushi Making Class!  Like most of our bucket list items so far - we were able to find a great deal via LivingSocial.  This particular class took us back to our old stomping grounds in Lincoln Park where we were "taught" how to make some delicious sushi at Kyoto.  It was definitely an interesting and somewhat messy experience!  The rice, it turns out, is real sticky....

                   

They definitely pack you into the table (we sat with 8 other people) and bumping elbows with your neighbor definitely doesn't make rolling sushi any easier.  After receiving your supplies - a bamboo roller that you get to take home as a souvenir (booya!), rice, water, seaweed, and the roll fixins' - you get a quick tutorial on patting down the rice and rolling it all up.  We rinsed and repeated this process for three rolls.  Personally, mine became increasingly more sloppy. Samantha on the other hand, being the cook that she is, was really getting the hang of it.  So if you are interested in having someone make you homemade sushi, I would check with her first.  

I think Sam would agree with me when I say that the BEST part of the night was getting a "free" drink ticket to go to none other than Irish Eyes Bar - located across the street from the Sushi Restaurant.  Like many of the watering hole establishments on Lincoln Ave, Irish Eyes was an old haunt from our days at DePaul so we couldn't turn it down.  Plus, we worked hard for our food and felt that a semi warm Coors Light served in a clear plastic cup was very well deserved!

And just to put it in perspective for you....

 Irish Eyes circa 2011

 Irish Eyes circa 2004

The Chicago Bucket List Breakdown

Last month, Samantha and I sat down and created a list of things we have always wanted to do in Chicago.  However, we know we missed something!!!!  We would love additional ideas of things to do in Chicago before we finalize our summer calendar.  Here is what we have so far - anything we need to add???  Otherwise, we are ready to ride!

• Segway Tour on the lake front
• Kayak the Chicago River
• Drinks at the Signature Room in the Hancock
• Sailing on Lake Michigan
• See West Side Story
• Participate in a Flash Mob
• Go to the Arlington Heights Race Track
• Dinner in Chinatown
• Hot dogs at Wiener Circle 
• Pride Parade
• Run a 5K
• Learn to make Sushi
• Cheer on the Cubs at the Crosstown Classic
• Movie in the Park
• Compete at Beach Palooza
• Take a dip at the Polar Plunge
• First Thursdays at River North and West Loop Art Galleries
• Cheer on the Chiefs vs. Bears
• New Music Monday's at Millennium Park
• Eat at the Donut Vault
• Bike Tour of Chicago
• Jammin' at the Zoo
• Visit Frank Lloyd Wright's house in Oak Park
• First Friday's at MCA
• Get a reservation at NEXT
• Yoga in Millennium Park
• Chicago SummerDance Series

25 Things You Didn't Know About US

LORA

1.  If I had one year to live, I would get a tattoo sleeve on my right arm.
     2.  I HATE cottage cheese, beets, and beans.
          3.  I aspire to one day visit every city George Strait has sung about.
               4.  I always read magazines from back to front.
     6.  I cannot go to sleep in an unmade bed.  
7.  If I could have any profession, I would be Criminal Profiler for the FBI.
     8.  Armadillos and Elephants are my favorite animal.
          9.  In high school, I thought I would one day become an Egyptologist.
               10.  My sister-in-law's name is Lora Knapp... my name is Lora Knapp.
         11.  If I could be friends with any fictional character, it would be Hannibal Lecter.  
     12.  My biggest pet peeve is when people do not use their turn signal when driving.
13.  I got certified to Scuba Dive when I was 12 years old, bungee jumped for the first time when I was 16, and went skydiving for the first time at 19.  I will do almost anything for the thrill!
     14.  I used to live in Houston and taught 7th grade Texas History and ELA.  
          15.  I have an extensive collection of cowboy boots and belt buckles.
               16.  My first Hollywood crush was (and still is) Harrison Ford.
          17.  I graduated early from High School to spend 2 months traveling Australia and New Zealand.
     18.  If I didn't die my hair, I'd be completely grey by 30.
19.  I have been collecting shot glasses since I was 15 - I buy them in every new city I visit.
     20.  If I could come back as any animal in my next life, I would be a Giraffe.
          21.  I have seen every episode of Law and Order: SVU
               22.  I love sunglasses so much that I often wear them while watching TV in my apartment.  If I am outside, it is rare you will catch me without them on.
          23.  My favorite foods are Kraft Mac and Cheese, pizza, and Sushi.  I have a very eclectic palate.
     24.  The first concert I ever saw was Garth Brooks at the Iowa State Fair.
25.  My best (and most often used) dance move is 'Krumping'.  
     

SAMANTHA

1. I will almost exclusively watch crime shows.  Serial killer?... even better. 

     2.  I LOVE cottage cheese, beets, and beans.

          3.  My favorite music genre is Trip Hop - a down tempo form of electronic music.

               4.  I am a newly discovered dog lover with a 4-month old Lab-Golden mix named Duncan.  I am in love!
5.  My favorite restaurant type:  Sushi.  My favorite restaurant:  Coast Sushi, Bucktown... which Lora introduced me to almost 7 years ago.  Thanks, Lora!

     6.  I feel very strongly that grown women should not wear pig tails.   

7.  I am an avid skier:  water and snow.

     8.  Christmas is my very favorite time of year.  I start listening to carols before Halloween.

          9.  I am extremely organized.  I plan every single day (even weekends) by 15 minute increments.  This can work against me.

               10.  If I could come back as any animal in my next life, I would be a dolphin.

         11. I am an old soul.  I love old films.  My all time favorite movie is Some Like It Hot.  

     12.  I have a Scooter.  I might not be a great driver, but I am an excellent passenger.

13.  The word "moist" sends chills down my spine...

     14.  I love to cook and do not stick to recipes.  My go to dinner dish is any mild whitefish, roasted root vegetables with sage and rosemary, brussels sprouts with pancetta.  Boom!  

          15.  I pride myself on being an awesome gift giver.  I put a great deal of thought and consideration into presents.  Poor gift giving is shameful... you know who you are.

               16.  My dream travel destination is Thailand.

          17. It's quite possible that I could live happily on cheese for the rest of my life. 

     18. Both my parents are naturally brunette, but I am naturally this blond.

19.  Taking risks is not my thing - I never do anything for the thrill.  Sky diving, bungee jumping, shark cuddling - not in a million years.

     20.  I am very crafty!  I love to knit, crosstitch, scrapbook, among other things. 

          21.  I have my own sewing machine and can sew my own clothes.

               22.  I am a HUGE Kansas City Chiefs fan!  It has been rough.  Yankees fans, Patriots fans - you are not real fans.  What a cushy life you live.

          23.  My drink of choice is wine.  Specifically Malbec.

     24.  There isn't a competitive bone in my body.  I don't even like to play board games with competitive people.  It takes out all the fun!

25.  I am cold ALL THE TIME.  I keep a heater at my desk that runs all summer.

     

Welcome to the Lorantha Chicago Bucket List

Samantha and I have been best friends since our sophomore year in college at DePaul University.  We spent three years living together in Lincoln Park and enjoying much of what the great city of Chicago had to offer.  However, after college I joined Teach for America and moved to Houston, Texas, while Sam stayed in Chicago to get her Masters in Healthcare Management.  Last summer, I moved back to Chicago, but we realized that we might not get to enjoy this city together, forever.  Therefore, we created our Chicago Bucket List - one year of seeing and doing everything Chicago has to offer!  We are excited to share our adventures, discoveries, memories, and suggestions about things to see and do in Chicago!