Chinatown, Water Taxi, Riverwalk in Chicago - MyShadowProductions #173

Hello everyone and hello to June as well :) Ready for Summer?

Pretty Bloom at Garfield Park Conservatory 

Just in case anyone is on the edge of their seat waiting for the “continuation” of my previous post, I have 3 Videos that will hopefully “tell the remaining story” for my adventures in Chicago on May 19, 2024.

Click Here for a Video created from my photos in Chicago’s Chinatown :) It was interesting, not quite what I expected and I didn’t try any of the restaurants :)

Figures for the Chinese Zodiac

Nine Dragon Wall

CLICK HERE for a Video created from my photos on the Water Taxi from Ping Tom Park (Chinatown Stop) to the Michigan Avenue Water Taxi dock :)

This VIDEO is created from my photos walking the west half of the Chicago Riverwalk and continuing on to Union Station for the train ride back to Aurora :)

Meanwhile, I did try a new vegetable for me, golden beets.

I roasted golden beets, zucchini wedges and the beet greens all with olive oil, salt and pepper. Pretty tasty!

In hindsight, it would have been a good idea to get a photo of the beets and zucchini before preparing them :) This whole Blog Thing is a work in progress so there is always next time :)

Have a great weekend !!

Chicago Water Taxi to Ping Tom Memorial Park - MyShadowProductions #172

Happy Memorial Day Weekend !!

I would like to pass on a few “humorous?” things if you don’t mind :)

First, I had a little interaction with Sam, my 16 year old, special needs grandson:

This was me and him sharing shadows months ago:

A few days ago Sam was showing me some “stretches” he does at school and some “dance moves” to the songs “Let it Go” and “Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog”:

I said “You’re something else dude”

Sam said “I am not Dude”

I said “Ok Sam”

He said “Ok Dude” and then his trademark smile :)

Second:

Third:

Thanks!!

There was a really cool sky just after sunset on May 20, 2024:

Nearly a full moon too

Sometimes a little “space” can make a big difference, like in the following:

Nowhere to Now Here :)

Also, this advice can be helpful:

Last Sunday I took the train to Union Station, walked a few blocks north and boarded the Water Taxi boat to see what I could see :)

The first route I took was to the south, to the Ping Tom Memorial Park, about a 20 minute ride down the South Branch of the Chicago River.

The Water Taxi then stops at the Ping Tom Memorial Park for those who want to disembark and enjoy the trails and sights of the Urban Park.

Ping Tom Park also serves as a gateway to Chicago’s Chinatown, just a short walk away.

This statue gives a brief “history” of Ping Tom and the Memorial Park.

“Ping Tom Memorial Park was named

in honor of the leading force

behind its creation. Chinatown’s

most noted civic leader, Ping Tom.

A lifelong resident of Chinatown,

Ping Tom became president of several businesses in the community 

after earning degrees in Economics 

and Law from Northwestern University.

In 1984 he and other business leaders formed

the Chnese American Development Corporation.

This private real estate firm transformed a

32-acre rail yard site into Chinatown Square,

a one hundred million dollar residential

and commercial expansion of Chinatown.

Ping Tom was Founding President of the

Chinatown Chamber of Commerce,

a past President and Director of the

Chinese American Civic Council 

and an advisory board member of the

Chinese American Service League.

Ping Tom served as trustee for

a number of important civic

and cultural institutions

He was also an advisor to US. Senators,

Illinois Governors and Chicago Mayors

Sculptor

LIAO HUILAN”

Click Here for a Video created from my photos on the “excursion”. The Water Taxi boat was fairly crowded and I unfortunately had to include random fellow passengers :)

Hope you enjoyed the Video, and now I get to say something that I have always wanted to say in a blog post:

To Be Continued :)

Have a great day !!

Zihuatanejo - Pacific Ocean Boat Ride - MyShadowProductions #166

Ahoy, Mateys :)

First of all, I find it just simply amazing that anything, let alone a cell phone (is that the right term these days?:), can take photos and videos!

And, Thanks for all the nice Comments on my previous Posts, it is great to share some Life!

In this Post I will share the 20 minute Video of my boat ride from Playa Las Gatas to Playa Manzanillo on the Pacific Coast in Zihuatanejo, MX. The blue line in the photo below is the path of the total boat ride.

It was a spur of the moment idea/decision while sitting at the Playa Las Gatas Pier and luckily Alejandro was willing to make the journey with his boat “Prieta Linda“= “Cute Brunette” :) Especially since I didn’t know about Carlos Slim yet, and it would have been awkward trying to borrow his OSTRA Yacht :)

I didn’t experience any sea sickness (luckily) and felt safe the entire trip (remember, I have also felt safe in Denver and Chicago:) The “beach” itself at Playa Manzanillo is not a typical sandy, umbrella and drinks type of “beach”. I don’t snorkel but that is what others might do that venture there. I just enjoyed the views around each “corner” and the vastness of the “water” and “waves”. It got a little interesting when the anchor was stuck but Alejandro didn’t panic. I think he enjoyed going for a swim :)

Also visible in the distance from the boat were the El Faro (lighthouse) Punta Garrobo, the area of Barra de Potosi and Playa Larga (Long Beach).

Ok, enough of the “story”, take your Dramamine, lol, and CLICK HERE for a 20 minute boat ride on the Pacific Ocean in Zihuatanejo, MX :)

Bon Voyage !! (Thanks Alejandro !!)

Looks like some Readers of this Post will be getting a nice Early Spring Snowstorm, hope it doesn’t cause too many problems, please send photos if you see anything interesting:)