Biking, Dinner with Don, and Beethoven

Spring finally made a grand entrance with a gorgeous 75 degree day, and we enjoyed the warmth and biked 14 miles on the Millennium Trail wearing just shorts and t-shirts. It's comforting to hear the myriad birds singing again as we pass and to see the variety populating the area -- cardinals, great white egrets, great blue heron, barnswallows and tree swallows, robins, orioles, blue jays, swans, woodpeckers, and more -- though I'm disappointed that I haven't yet spotted the sand hill cranes that have been along the trail the last three years. We also spotted 2 deer today...



Later, our friend, Don, came and Ellen outdid herself preparing a delicious rotisserie grilled pork tenderloin with sweet potatoes and asparagus and salad. Don had refused to tell us his food preferences, replying "I like to be surprised," and Ellen fortuitously chose three of his favorites and cooked them to perfection.



Then the three of us were off to College of Lake County's magnificent James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts for Beethoven's 9th Symphony, performed by The Lake Forest Symphony and The Chicago Master Singers, both under the exceptional leadership of director Alan Heatherington. What a spectacular evening of music these 200+ fine musicians provided! Here's a photo before the concert started since photography is not permitted during the concert: