Showing posts with label COUNTY. Show all posts

Saturday, October 14, 2017

GLACIAL PARK

A visit to Elm Grove, Wisconsin (Milwaukee suburb) to sell buttons and trims granted me the opportunity to take an 8 mile hike in GLACIAL PARK in northern Illinois which was on the way home with just a slight 20 mile detour. This park has some of the biggest hills that I have ever seen in the northern part of Illinois. They ain't exactly the Rocky Mountains, but in a state known exclusively for crooked politicians, high taxes and extreme flatness, these hills were a shocking sight. My fitbit recorded that I had 'climbed' 40 'stories' during my hiking.

Glacial Park is McHenry County Conservation District’s most treasured open space holding, characterized by its rolling prairie, delta kames, oak savanna and the tranquil presence of the meandering Nippersink Creek.

Encompassing over 3,400 acres, Glacial Park contains over 400 acres of dedicated nature preserve; harbors 40 state endangered and threatened plant and animal species; is listed as one of the top five areas to view migratory wetland birds in the region, and is a part of the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.

Glacial Park is the Conservation District’s most popular site, visited annually by more than 64,000 guests who hike or horseback along eight miles of trails; fish the shoreline of Nippersink Creek at Keystone Landing or Pioneer Road Landing…or bike a five-mile portion of the 26-mile Prairie Trail that skirts the eastern boundary of the park. In a place where wildlife viewing is plentiful, many spend time birding, picnicking or paddling the glistening waters of Nippersink Creek., a high-quality stream teeming with aquatic life — a place where numerous wetland waders and local wildlife also visit the water’s edge.

Your Food Diary For:

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker Oats Instant Grits	300	66	5	6	930	0
	300	66	5	6	930	0
L U N C H
Subway - Turkey Sub Sandwich	560	92	7	36	1,620	14
	560	92	7	36	1,620	14
D I N N E R
Whole Foods - Komi Hawaiian Sushi Roll	350	0	0	0	0	0
Coco Community - Coconut Water	120	30	0	0	60	30
	470	30	0	0	60	30
S N A C K S
Whole Foods Dark Chocolate Coconut	400	40	28	4	50	26
	400	40	28	4	50	26

Totals	1,730	228	40	46	2,660	70
Your Daily Goal	3,002	375	100	151	2,300	112
Remaining	1,272	147	60	105	-360	42
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,072 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today... You'd weigh 220 lbs in 5 weeks

* * * * * * * * * *

SATURDAY WEIGH IN

I am Jewish.
But today, for me, it is Christmas Eve 2016.
I weighed myself this morning, and I am currently:

239.3 lbs

The last time that I weighed 239.3 lbs, was nearly one year ago on Christmas Eve 2016.
At that time, this was an unwelcome weight at I had weighed about 6 pounds less one week earlier
THIS TIME, IT IS A WELCOME WEIGHT AS I WEIGHED 5.6 POUNDS MORE LAST WEEK.
With weight management, it's not not only what you weigh, it's what you weighed last week.

Today marks the first time in the year 2017 that I have been below 240 lbs.
Coincidentally, my blog started on December 24, 2014 - On that day I weight 309 lbs.
From that point, I am currently down 70 lbs.

More recently, just one week after the sun was eclipsed by the moon, this past summer on August 28 my weight was a screamingly depressing 263.3 lbs, and rising weekly.

IN THE PAST SEVEN WEEKS, I HAVE REDISCOVERED THE SECRETS THAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY LEARNED FOR SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT LOSS. (eat less, exercise more)

And in the past seven weeks, I have lost TWENTY FOUR POUNDS.

NO WONDER, I HAVE BEEN RECENTLY EXPERIENCING AN EXTRA SPRING IN MY STEP!

Monday, November 28, 2016

ROLLING STONES: BLUE & LONESOME

Way back on October 6 of this past year, The Rolling Stones, announced that they would be releasing a 'new' album on December 2 entitled BLUE & LONESEOME. At that time, they released the cover art for their collection of new music shown below.

I am proposing that if they had been a bit more politically incorrect, but certainly politically accurate...They could have used the 2016 United States Presidential Election Results Map by County as their album cover as shown below.

BLUE & LONESOME

To live in loser blue county (Hillary Clinton) among this vast sea of winning red counties (Donald Trump) would easily make one blue & lonesome. I live in Chicago, which is part of Cook County, and politically speaking, I do often feel lonely. In the aftermath of the Presidential Election which was still less than two weeks ago... I am definitely not feeling blue.

.

Your Food Diary For:

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker Apples Cinnamon Oatmeal	780	162	9	18	960	54
Hormel-Kirkland Signature - Cooked Bacon	240	0	18	18	1,050	0
	1,020	162	27	36	2,010	54
L U N C H
Omelette - 3-egg Omelette With Cheese	425	0	21	28	650	2
BLT 1.5 white bread sandwich	600	38	45	30	750	8
	1,025	38	66	58	1,400	10
D I N N E R
Lay's Kettle Cream Cheese Chive Chips	190	27	8	3	200	2
Subway - Turkey Breast Foot Long	560	92	7	36	0	14
	750	119	15	39	200	16
S N A C K S
Rice Rolls, 7 roll	266	56	0	7	35	28
Met-Rx - Chocolate Fudge Deluxe, 1 bar	310	29	10	31	115	2
	576	85	10	38	150	30

Totals	3,371	404	118	171	3,760	110
Your Daily Goal	3,033	379	101	152	2,300	113
Remaining	-338	-25	-17	-19	-1,460	3
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,103 extra calories from exercise today

Your Exercise Diary for:

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Elliptical Trainer	99	1,281


Daily Total / Goal	99 / 30	1,281 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	1394 / 210	17,745 / 4,130

.

here is the original October 6th press release announcing Blue & Lonesome

THE ROLLING STONES ANNOUNCE THEIR RETURN TO THE BLUES WITH NEW ALBUM ‘BLUE & LONESOME’ OUT ON DECEMBER 2

Five decades in the making and just three days to record

On 2nd December 2016, The Rolling Stones will release ‘Blue & Lonesome’, their first studio album in over a decade. Recorded in just three days in London, England, ‘Blue & Lonesome’ takes the band back to their roots and the passion for blues music which has always been at the heart and soul of The Rolling Stones.

‘Blue & Lonesome’ is available in various formats and will be released on December 2nd by Polydor Records. It was produced by Don Was and The Glimmer Twins and is available for pre-order worldwide from today, October 6th, at 9am EST in the USA and 2pm in the UK (equivalent times worldwide), go to rollingstones.com/blueandlonesome.

The album was recorded over the course of just three days in December last year at British Grove Studios in West London, just a stone’s throw from Richmond and Eel Pie Island where the Stones started out as a young blues band playing pubs and clubs.

Their approach to the album was that it should be spontaneous and played live in the studio without overdubs. The band – Mick Jagger (vocals & harp), Keith Richards (guitar), Charlie Watts (drums), and Ronnie Wood (guitar) were joined by their long time touring sidemen Darryl Jones (bass), Chuck Leavell (keyboards) and Matt Clifford (keyboards) and, for two of the twelve tracks, by old friend Eric Clapton, who happened to be in the next studio making his own album.

‘Blue & Lonesome’ sees the Rolling Stones tipping their hats to their early days as a blues band when they played the music of Jimmy Reed, Willie Dixon, Eddie Taylor, Little Walter and Howlin’ Wolf – artists whose songs are featured on this album.

The tracks are – Just Your Fool, Commit A Crime, Blue and Lonesome, All Of Your Love, I Gotta Go, Everybody Knows About My Good Thing, Ride ‘Em On Down, Hate To See You Go, Hoo Doo Blues, Little Rain, Just Like I Treat You, I Can’t Quit You Baby.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

HIDDEN LAKE

After my appointment on Tuesday, I headed out to the Hidden Lake Forest Preserve. It's name is much more 'romantic' than the actual place. There were two lakes there, neither one seemed to be particularly hidden, and the sum total of the trails was only 2 miles. As I often manage, I found a way to extend my hike to 10 miles by criss-crossing some streets in a nearby community. The weather was spectacular, with blue skies in every direction.

Hidden Lake Forest Preserve of DuPage County

I did not cut myself out of this photograph, it was an attempt at artsiness. Maybe it would have worked better in black and white.

Turns out, that my 'arty' photo was not helped by presenting it in black and white. I think this photo probably needed a different subject and a different photographer... That might have helped.

That is Round Meadow Lake in the background - it is not particularly hidden.

I do not understand. There are two lakes at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve. Neither one is called Hidden Lake.

Your Food Diary For:

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal	450	81	8	12	0	3
Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bar	380	58	14	6	270	22
	830	139	22	18	270	25
L U N C H
Banana Chips	300	34	20	2	0	20
Johnsonville - Polish Kielbasa Link, 1 link	200	3	17	7	640	1
Omelette - 3-egg Omelette With Cheese	425	0	21	28	650	2
	925	37	58	37	1,290	23
D I N N E R
Cheese fondue	495	8	29	31	285	0
Bread - Bread Baguette	450	90	3	15	0	0
Shrimp	200	2	3	38	280	0
Nature Valley - Crunchy Oats & Honey	190	29	6	4	160	12
	1,335	129	41	88	725	12
S N A C K S
Oreos	200	31	9	1	175	18
	200	31	9	1	175	18

Totals	3,290	336	130	144	2,460	78
Your Daily Goal	4,172	521	139	209	2,300	156
Remaining	882	185	9	65	-160	78
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 2,242 extra calories from exercise today

Your Exercise Diary for:

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
TEN MILE HIKE	135	1,905


Daily Total / Goal	135 / 30	1,905 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	271 / 210	4,154 / 4,130

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

BONG RECREATION AREA

Seriously, did you think that I would be blogging about some drug frenzied exploits using a bong? Just to set the record straight, I do not do any drugs. No part of my recreational activity yesterday included smoking any substance, not even a cigarette, and I especially did not use a bong. Before I proceed, are we clear on this? Yes? Good. Now I can continue. Yesterday, I was at the BONG RECREATION AREA in Brighton, Wisconsin.

After an appointment in Burlington, Wisconsin, I decided to finally visit the Bong Recreational Area that I have passed countless times on the Interstate that leads from Chicago to Milwaukee. This State Recreation Area is used for camping and swimming and hiking among other activities. The park is named after a man named, Richard Bong.

from wikipedia....

Richard Bong State Recreation Area is a 4,515-acre (1,827 ha) unit of the state park system of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is located in the town of Brighton, in Kenosha County. This managed prairie contains 8.3 miles (13 km) of mountain bike trails. Other recreational activities include high power rocketry, swimming, dogsledding, falconry, ATV sports, land sailing, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, camping with amenities, and ultralight aviation. There is a wildlife preserve where great egrets, sandhill cranes, and great blue herons are known to nest.

The park is on land once intended for the Richard Bong Air Force Base, whose namesake is World War II veteran aviator Maj. Richard Ira Bong. Part of what was intended to be the 12,500-foot (3,800 m) main airstrip is still visible from aerial photos of the site.

Largely due to its name's coincidental allusions to marijuana use, Bong Recreation Area is a frequent target of sign theft. This has led to the manufacturing of T-shirts and sweatshirts bearing the highway exit sign.

I spotted this curious sign nearly 25 years ago when I first moved to the midwest. I remember thinking that the word 'bong' must have a different meaning than the one that I was more familiar with. In fact, that is the case. I visited this Nature Preserve for the very first time yesterday.

I was thoroughly enjoying my hike, until around the the time I was completing my 8th mile, the temperature dropped, the skies darkened and it started pouring. This was the first time that I truly found myself in the middle of nowhere during a hard rain. What to do? I got wet. I returned to my car and drove back to Chicago, for much of the trip I had the heater on to warm up..

This was the biggest mushroom that I have ever seen. I photographed it with my hiking boot to give an indication of its size.

Your Food Diary For:

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Roundys - Creamy Wheat - Enriched Farina	480	100	0	16	340	4
Quaker - Chewy Granola 90 Calories, 2 bar	180	38	4	2	160	14
Take 5 - Protein Bar, 1 package (2 bars)	200	25	11	4	180	18
	860	163	15	22	680	36
L U N C H
Special K - Protein Meal Bar Chocolate	170	23	6	12	250	15
UNSWEETENED BANANA CHIPS	200	19	12	2	6	1
DARK COCOA MELT WAFERS	400	44	24	5	82	38
	770	86	42	19	338	54
D I N N E R
Crystal Farms -Diced Potatoes	160	38	0	4	340	0
Johnsonville - Polish Kielbasa Sausage	340	4	30	14	1,140	2
Earthbound Farm organic baby spinach	40	6	0	4	130	0
Tomatoes - 3 Cherry Tomatoes	24	0	0	0	0	3
Trader Joe's Sauerkraut - Sauerkraut	25	10	0	0	1,000	0
	589	58	30	22	2,610	5
S N A C K S
Doughnut	250	51	25	5	0	0
	250	51	25	5	0	0

Totals	2,469	358	112	68	3,628	95
Your Daily Goal	3,344	418	111	168	2,300	125
Remaining	875	60	-1	100	-1,328	30
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 1,414 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today... You'd weigh 191.5 lbs in 5 weeks

Your Exercise Diary for:

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
8.44 MILE HIKE	130	1,414


Daily Total / Goal	130 / 30	1,414 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	275 / 210	3,601 / 4,130

* * * * * * * * * *

informal definition of a 'bong'

a device made of clay, ceramic, plastic tubing or PVC, glass, a two liter coke bottles, or any other man made or fabricated substance that is normally filled with water to smoke marijuanna with; can be of varying lengths and sizes.

* * * * * * * * * *

I had no reason to be surprised that I was caught in a rainstorm. The prediction when my hike began was very gloomy.