Friends and readers, we have a wonderful month ahead of us. April’s showers have indeed brought May’s flowers and gardens are in colorful bloom. The days are comfortably long and warm, and while we always watch the weather, we don’t let it stop us. Many of our adventures will require some type of registration, even when the event is free, so please remember to go online and take care of that.
Speaking of making reservations, Mother’s Day will be fast upon us. This year we’re taking our moms on a special trip to Traverse City, Michigan, for the Cherry Blossom Tours. Let’s make hotel reservations now, and let the bosses know that we’re leaving work early next Friday. If we all get home by noon, we can be on the road by 1:00pm. Oh, boy!
In the meantime, let’s all get together for brunch this Sunday, May 5th, at m.henry, 5707 N. Clark St., www.mhenry.net. They open at 8:00am and close at 2:00pm, so let’s meet early, how about 9:00am? The menu is fabulous, the food is delicious and there’s even a bakery to visit before we leave.
Look at this brunch menu: peach rhubarb brioche french toast, soprassata wrapped baked eggs, potato knish benedict, they all sound so amazing, don’t they. But yes, the soprassata eggs for me. Peach rhubarb toast for you? I know you enjoy rhubarb. Did someone order the knish? Every plate is picture perfect, and we’re all making “happy eating” sounds. Time for a bit more coffee, while everything settles down, and we can chat. Are you ready for the big trip? We’ll see you on Friday, then.
After a long week, it’s finally Friday, May 10th. Mom is already in the car and we’re stuffing the trunk with luggage; time to hit the road! Traffic will be getting heavy for this weekend; driving might be a bit tedious. We’ve called the Hampton Inn, 1000 US-31, Traverse City, to warn them of our late arrival.
No worries, we’re off the crowded Interstates, taking a more scenic route. eating dinner in some small town along the way. The countryside is really getting beautiful, isn’t it? It’s so green, and so many orchards have trees in bloom, the landscape rolls gently, and hasn’t that all made the drive easier, and less hectic? Let’s get checked in, unpack and get some sleep. We’ll see you in the morning, before we start the Cherry Blossom Tours, www.traversecity.com,
Today, Saturday, May 11th, the hotel offers up a very nice breakfast buffet; let’s eat before driving. For today’s excursion, we’re driving up the Mission Peninsula, that runs north to the east of town. This narrow bit of land splits the Grand Traverse Bay. Be sure to take in long, beautiful panoramic views of both the East and West parts of the bay. Let’s head to the northern tip at Mission Point Lighthouse, stretch, breathe in fresh air, blowing in off Lake Michigan, and take turns with our cameras. Isn’t this spectacular? Driving south, we’re taking in the views, and slowly passing some of the many cherry orchards. More photo stops, anyone? How about right over here?
There are lots of wineries up here, and who are we to refuse the chance for a wine tasting? Chateau Chantal, 15900 Rue de Vin, Traverse City is right on our way, with a tasting room that opens at 11:00am. We’re right on time! Look at the selection; there are a lot of wines. They even bought a vineyard in Argentina, just so they could produce Malbec! Most of the wines are sweet, and many are fruity, did you notice the “Cran-Apple” and “Naughty Cherry”? There are also a few dry wines, both white and red, as well as sparkling wines. Choose your tasting flights carefully. We’re not experienced at this, so we ask the experts about really tasting and savoring the flavors that come out as we sip. Isn’t this excellent? We’re taking a bottle home, naturally. How about you?
The cherry blossoms are really amazing. Look at the different colors from tree to tree. Can you just see the Lake shimmering beyond the hills? Will my phone camera take a good photo of that scene? Our next wine stop, Peninsula Cellars, www.peninsulacellars.com, 11480 Center Road, is just a few miles down the road. Look – they have four different cherry wines. I’m hooked, I’m trying them all. Look at the huge variety that they offer. Cabernet, Pino Noir, Chardonnay, Reisling, and so many more.
Let’s head back to Traverse City and stop in to (where else?) Grand Traverse Pie Company, 525 West Front St., https://gtpie.com, for some soup, a sandwich, and a slice of, well, I was about to say, “cherry pie” but holy cow, this place has no less than twelve varieties of pies with cherries.
Will you please bring my soup and an “enhanced” grilled cheese while I ponder my choices? Hmmm, this is tasty and quite satisfying, thank you. As for pie, the ‘Old Mission Cherry’, filled with those wonderfully tart Montmorency cherries is just what I want.
Now let’s drive up the Leelanau Peninsula, on the scenic route that follows the eastern shore. The scenery is so breath-taking! Don’t you love the way the hills roll up and down, revealing the different orchards, each full of blossoms? Let’s stop here, in Sutton’s Bay, to stroll around the town and look in all these quaint shops. Are you picking up some souvenirs? Do you think we can each sneak something without our moms seeing, so we can surprise them tomorrow?
We can make one more stop for wine tasting before we head back, right? Shady Lane Cellars is right here at 9580 E. Shady Lane, Suttons Bay, so let’s drop by. Sparkling Riesling, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, and even Muscat are among their selections, so pick four for tasting. The Muscat is one of the oldest cultivated grapes, brought to western Europe by the Romans. Yes, I like it. Have a sip.
It’s starting to get late, so let’s return to Traverse City for some dinner. How about pizza? What a wonderful day this has been. Let’s retreat to our rooms, relax, and rest up for tomorrow.
Good morning! Happy Mother’s Day! Yes, it’s Sunday, May 12th, and time for breakfast. Please fill a cup with coffee, fill a plate with eggs, bacon and a fresh made waffle and join us. We’re pretty sure that between the three of us we took about a thousand photos. Did you guys do that too? How could anyone not overdo it when every place you looked was a photo-op? On the way home, follow us and we’ll stop at one of our Michigan favorites: Crane’s Pie Pantry, Restaurant, and Winery, 6054 124th Ave (M-89), Fennville, MI www.cranespiepantry.com. Yes, more really delicious pie and more delightful wine, to make the rest of the long drive a bit easier. Drive safely!
This evening, Friday, May 17th, please join us at the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St., www.harristheaterchicago.org, to witness another phenomenal performance by the audacious, athletic, and always graceful dancers of Hubband Street Dance Chicago,http://www.hubbardstreetdance.com. This is the Spring Series: “Of Joy”, and it boasts four works, including a Company Premier. The show starts at 8:00, so let’s find our seats and get ready to be dazzled.
Here we go. “IMPASSE” by Johan Inger is the premier. You know, the Guardian called this “a thrilling mixture of swagger and challenge”. Exactly. I wonder if this is meant to portray a story, or if it’s more of a vehicle to let the dancers show off just how good they are. It’s always amazing to watch this company; they make every move look effortless.
Speaking of “just showing off”, that really is the message in Kyle Abraham’s Show Pony. It’s intermission and I’m exhausted, just from trying to take in every motion and movement that each dancer makes. It’s impossible, I know, but you’ve got to try, right? Now we get to experience “A Duo” from Azure Barton. Just two dancers, moving in ways that unveil so many of the emotions that couples go through. Can’t you see and feel it? Here’s the finale: Maria Torres’ “Echoes of Our Ancestors”, another dazzling performance. Wow! Hasn’t this been fun and exciting?
While it’s true that Monday is Memorial Day, let’s take today, Saturday, May 25th, for a visit to Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, https://cantigny.org, to spend a day in quiet reflection. It’s the creation of Robert R. McCormick, who was a Chicago Alderman, President of the Chicago Sanitary District, then became a citizen-soldier, serving in the First Infantry Division when American troops first saw combat in WWI. He rose to the rank of Colonel in the Army’s First Division, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, the oldest American military unit on continuous active duty (dating back to the American Revolution). Cantigny Park is named after the French village where that fateful first battle took place. This park is beautiful, and hosts over 400,000 visitors annually.
Cantigny Park features the First Division Museum, Cantigny Gardens, Visitors Center, Education Center, walking trails, and picnic areas. Let’s appreciate the flowering gardens, explore the Visitors Center, and spend some time in the First in War gallery where we will follow the 1st Infantry Division, ‘The Big Red One’, the first American division sent to France in World War I. From then through the Vietnam War, the 1st Division was always among the first sent to combat.
Today, Monday, May 27th, is Memorial Day, when America honors the sacrifices made by all those who have died while serving in the Armed Forces.
Gather with your family, have your picnic BBQ.
Tonight, Thursday May 30th, we’re off to finish this month’s adventures at the Bourbon ‘N Brass Speakeasy, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. There’s no cover for Jazz and Blues Night, and the music is playing from 7:00pm until 10:00pm. Can we share an appetizer or two? You enjoy both Jazz and Blues as much as we do, so who cares whose playing? The music is excellent, and the ‘Speakeasy’ décor is perfect for a small, intimate evening like this. Thanks for joining us.
It’s the end of another month, summer is almost upon us, and many more adventures lay ahead of us, so we’ll meet again next month.
