Geoffrey Baer special on WTTW. Taped it the other night and I'm midway through.

Enjoying this pretty good visit to local and regional vacation hot spots.

Some familiar destinations like Lake Geneva, The Dunes, Dells, Galena, Starved Rock plus some I never heard of.

https://interactive.wttw.com/chicago-on-vacation

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"This is Chicago, my friend. Anything can happen."

Peeps Jr. was excited to watch it. Found some decent future summer vacation spots.

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I never knew much about Galena. Seemed pretty cool.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

My parents and their friends did a Galena weekend every summer when I was a kid.

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We went to that Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan regularly.

Bolingbrook High School Marching Band was often in the parade back in the mid seventies.

My older siblings were band geeks and pops loved a good road trip.

You got a sticker to wear that said; "I ate my cherry pie!" after having the obligatory piece of pie. This was way before the band Warrant and that wonderful music video, of course.

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"This is Chicago, my friend. Anything can happen."

Golf!!

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You never miss your wealth, till your well went dry
Seem like only yesterday, you were here smiling
Now you gone away, but I know you in a better place
No traces of you, what can I do?
Alone and confused

That Mackinac Island Grand Hotel was incredible. That looked like something from Europe.

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"This is Chicago, my friend. Anything can happen."

Went there a couple times as a kid. I mostly remembered the bikes, no cars, ferry ride and blinding amounts of fudge that were never quite enough.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

We went when I was like 8 when my folks were visiting the old family farm in northern Wisconsin and some family in the UP. I think we stayed 2 nights. My main memories are riding bikes everywhere and the disgusting poached egg that I had at the hotel. I guess I also remember the hotel having lots of exposed pipes in room too.

Where does the Shark go on vacation?

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God is the uncaused cause of the universe. He had no beginning and has no end. He is not bound by the laws of the universe he created.

It was pretty seedy back then iirc.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

Galena is kind of neat but man is it a zoo. Wife and I did a weekend up there in 2017 and had a good time. I imagine if she loved shopping we’d have a grand time. We will probably do it again, maybe this time I’ll bring the clubs.

Yeah, talking early to mid 80’s. The photo of me thst I’ve seen from up there is special. The fashion of that time for kids (or at least what my parents chose or hit as hand me downs from cousins) was fantastic.

In fairness most of the old line hotels back then, and in the seventies, looked pretty long in the tooth.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

Finally finished the entire program. I always tape these things so I can fast forward all the fund raising segments with Gene Honda, Bonnie Greene, etc.

This show is really worth a look. They go through Illinois, Wisconsin and it seemed like a lot of places in Michigan. I think a place or two in Iowa as well?

Not sure how MANY of you have ever been to Starved Rock but the Grand Bear Lodge dining area is really fantastic.

When family comes in from out of town, they like to stay there. We all meet for dinner on a cold night and get seated by that huge fireplace. It is a great experience.

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"This is Chicago, my friend. Anything can happen."

on what I can only assume is an enormous, noisy VCR.

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I don't remember half the time if I'm hiding or I'm lost

Absolutely.

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"This is Chicago, my friend. Anything can happen."

We used to do Easter brunch at the Lodge...just OK food but the atmosphere is great.

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“Mr. Trump is unfit for our nation’s highest office.”- JD Vance
“My god, what an !diot.”- JD Vance tweet on Trump
“I’m a ‘Never Trump’ guy”- JD Vance

Agreed for sure.

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"This is Chicago, my friend. Anything can happen."

Galena is nice. Whenever it’s mentioned I always think about Johnny B in his heyday...“why is it whenever I ask where to go in Illinois the response is Galena? Isn’t there anywhere else in this state to go?”

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“Mr. Trump is unfit for our nation’s highest office.”- JD Vance
“My god, what an !diot.”- JD Vance tweet on Trump
“I’m a ‘Never Trump’ guy”- JD Vance

It seems like there is something for everyone there. Shops, bars, entertainment, restaurants, attractions, history, etc.

If you're at an age where your kids are old enough to appreciate it and your parents are spry enough to get around easily (with some interval rests) it could be a great spot for an entire family's long weekend.

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"This is Chicago, my friend. Anything can happen."

Obviously for adults the B&B options are numerous but for those with kids I believe the Country Inn has a water slide.

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“Mr. Trump is unfit for our nation’s highest office.”- JD Vance
“My god, what an !diot.”- JD Vance tweet on Trump
“I’m a ‘Never Trump’ guy”- JD Vance

You got to visit the Little Traveller when you are there. Great place to shop and eat

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When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

Anybody ever do the circle tour around the lake? I’m thinking about it for this summer. Suggestions for the best towns to spend the night and places to see or eat are appreciated.

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“Mr. Trump is unfit for our nation’s highest office.”- JD Vance
“My god, what an !diot.”- JD Vance tweet on Trump
“I’m a ‘Never Trump’ guy”- JD Vance

The only Little Traveller I know of is the one in Geneva and young squirrel spent way to many Christmas seasons being dragged through that store around Christmas every year. On the plus side, it’s where I learned that Chestnuts roasted over an open fire sounds delightful in song but was less so for an 8 year old.

It reminds me that I always wished that the family went to the Playboy Resort in Lake Geneva instead of only Olympia in Oconomowoc.

And we'd already been to the Playboy club for dinner a couple of times. I guess my dad's pimp hand wasn't THAT strong.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

I do not like B&Bs. Hell is other people at breakfast.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

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"This is Chicago, my friend. Anything can happen."

Currently sitting in my garage in my underpants playing "Car Bingo".

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Make sure the car is off.