Today we drove to Foster Avenue lakefront parking and biked 31 miles south to 50th Street and back, a good portion of Chicago’s magnificent Lakefront Trail. Here’s Ellen as we bike the area around Montrose Harbor, with the downtown in the distance…



The Lakefront Trail extends nearly 20 miles, the entire distance encompassing Chicago parks land, and the trail passes numerous marinas, playgrounds, several skateboard parks, many beaches, a bird sanctuary, boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, a chess pavilion, and too much more to list. As we near the Loop, pedestrian and bike traffic increase and care is required to avoid problems, although gawking is impossible to resist with all there is to see. I did get this photo while biking during a break in the crowds…



Navy Pier was our first destination, and a sumptuous lunch of mahi mahi and shrimp at Bubba Gump’s was our reward. (See Ellen’s blog for photos of our meals.) This shot is of the pier and the boats moored there, providing cruises along the lakefront, many with meals included.



The photo below shows the downtown as seen from a few miles south of McCormick Place…



Here are more photos and info on the trail.