Experiencing and Tasting Pastry at Artesa Bakery in Homer Glen, Illinois

Experiencing and Tasting Pastry at Artesa Bakery in Homer Glen, Illinois

**Disclosure: My husband and I received a complimentary tasting experience at Artesa Bakery to bring you an accurate review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Artesa Bakery in Homer Glen easily tempts with a heavenly range of pastry delights. One sunny afternoon, my husband and I ventured to meet pastry chef and owner Mikayla Machlet for a little tasting and to learn what Artesa Bakery is all about. After a look at the beautifully arranged bakery cases full of irresistible pastries, we knew we would have a divine tasting adventure:

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Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve Waterfall and Hike in South Elgin, Illinois

Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve Waterfall and Hike  in South Elgin, Illinois

Jon J. Duerr Forest Preserve in South Elgin, IL makes for a perfect afternoon nature adventure exploring trails, woodlands, prairie, river views and even a waterfall. We capitalized on a beautiful sunny afternoon to wander through the captivating preserve.

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11 Northern Illinois Hiking Trails To Know

11 Northern Illinois Hiking Trails To Know

Hiking in Northern Illinois features a wider variety of trails than many would think. I have discovered quite a few gems in our last few years of hiking explorations. I definitely have more to explore, but here are my favorites in Northern Illinois:

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Exploring the Flavors and Sights of Canal Park in Duluth, Minnesota

Exploring Flavors and Sights of Canal Park in Duluth, Minnesota

Canal Park in Duluth is a fun spot full of local makers, craft brewers, interesting shops, entertainment, history and Lake Superior views. We found Canal Park to be a fun and lively spot to explore. Plus, the weather was nice so we certainly enjoyed strolling along Lake Superior!

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Wednesday Weekend Windup {Memorial Day, Beer Garden, County Pop Con, Chalk Fest, Butterflies and More}

Memorial Day, Beer Garden, County Pop Con, Chalk Fest, Butterflies and More Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs May 24-28, 2019

We have a fabulous long weekend ahead! This weekend we celebrate Memorial Day and honor those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. There are many events throughout the suburbs to honor the fallen. In addition, there are many nature events, a beer garden and even a pop con! Take a peek at my picks:

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Exploring Duluth Makers in Our Lincoln Park

Exploring Duluth Makers in Our Lincoln Park

We ventured to the Our Lincoln Park area of Duluth for a little bit during our getaway to amble about this up and coming craft district. The weather was beautiful and it was certainly time for exploring:

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Nature Connects® Featuring Nature Inspired Lego® Art by Sean Kenney Returns to Morton Arboretum May 24

Nature Connects® Featuring Nature Inspired Lego® Art by Sean Kenney Returns to Morton Arboretum May 24 **Plus a Giveaway**

**Disclosure: Thank you to The Morton Arboretum for providing tickets for a giveaway. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Combining two easy childhood favorites, Morton Arboretum is welcoming the return of Nature Connects®: Art With Lego® Bricks By Sean Kenney on May 24! Lego sculptures in the exhibit not only craft nature scenes with Legos but also folds them into the natural landscape of Morton Arboretum.

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History, Opulence and Awe at Glensheen in Duluth, Minnesota

History, Opulence and Awe at Glensheen in Duluth, Minnesota

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary admission to Glensheen and the Great Lakes Aquarium in partnership with Visit Duluth in order to bring you detailed reviews. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Glensheen stands magnificently perched up above Lake Superior in Duluth. Constructed in 1905-1906, Glensheen was home to Chester Congdon who was a teacher turned lawyer that amassed great wealth in iron mining and banking. Upon entering the grand estate, a sense of awe quickly descended upon us as we measured the incredible landscape and architecture and were engulfed by the treasures of Congdon's wealth. Early one morning, we embarked on the General Tour which was a self-guided tour of 3 floors of the home.

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Wednesday Weekend Windup {Lanterns, Butterflies, Murals, Chocolate and More}

Lanterns, Butterflies, Murals, Chocolate and More Weekend Fun in the Chicago Suburbs

We have another fun spring weekend ahead! Here are my picks for family fun this weekend in the Chicago suburbs:

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Exploring the Parks of Duluth at Enger Park and Congdon Park

Exploring the Parks of Duluth at Enger Park and Congdon Park

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary admission to Glensheen and the Great Lakes Aquarium in partnership with Visit Duluth in order to bring you detailed reviews. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Opportunities for hiking and other outdoor recreational activities abound in Duluth. At the beginning of our getaway, we escaped a bit up the Lake Superior coast to Gooseberry Falls. On the second day of our trip, we explored two of Duluth's incredible parks -- Enger Park and Congdon Park. Each park provides a unique perspective of Duluth.

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Evoking Feeling and Crafting Lifetime Memories in Travel: Chicago's North Shore Annual Tourism Luncheon

**Disclosure: I was invited as a guest to Chicago's North Shore Annual Tourism Luncheon. However, I received no compensation. Opinions are 100% my own.

Evoking Feeling and Crafting Lifetime Memories in Travel: Chicago's North Shore Annual Tourism Luncheon

How is your destination evoking feeling and crafting lifetime memories? We honed in on this concept during Chicago's North Shore Annual Tourism  Luncheon. This idea explained by keynote speaker Joe Veneto of Veneto Collaboratory really spoke to me because this is truly what many small businesses strive to do every single day. When we work together to create these experiences in our towns and across our regions, we forge a wealth of meaningful adventures that connect visitors with a destination emotionally. Joe Veneto's keynote speech yielded many insights that anyone in tourism, hospitality and customer service can learn from in regards to this topic.

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Hiking at Gooseberry Falls in Minnesota

Hiking to Stunning Cascades at Gooseberry Falls State Park in Minnesota

While visiting Duluth, we certainly had waterfalls on our minds! On our first afternoon, we traced Lake Superior until we reached Gooseberry Falls State Park.  Our nearly 3.5 mile hike greeted us with many vantage points to enjoy the falls and rapids.

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Wednesday Weekend Windup {Mother's Day, Birds, Bonsai, Streetcars and More!}

Mother's Day, Birds, Bonsai, Streetcars and More Weekend Fun in the Chicago Suburbs

Spring is here and Mother's Day is this weekend! We have finally gotten here! There are plenty of great events this weekend in the Chicago suburbs. Here are my picks:

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Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Duluth, Minnesota

Learning about shipping history and sailing on Lake Superior at Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Duluth, Minnesota

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary admission to Glensheen and the Great Lakes Aquarium in partnership with Visit Duluth in order to bring you detailed reviews. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Located right on Lake Superior in Canal Park, Duluth's Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center introduces visitors to the shipping and transportation history of the city. From start to finish, the museum is incredibly fascinating and incorporates artifacts as well as multimedia experiences to educate the public.

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13 Train Travel Tips for Long Distance Train Travel

13 Train Travel Tips for  Long Distance Travel Including on Amtrak's Empire Builder

Last summer, we crossed a big section of the country from Chicago to Seattle and back from Portland to Chicago on Amtrak's Empire Builder. The adventure truly was an adventure of a lifetime and we were able to see incredible sections of the American landscape from the windows of the Empire Builder. Such a unique way to see the country! We enjoyed the novelty of the travel and being able to relax while crossing the country.  If you are considering traveling on the Empire Builder or another long distance train, I have a few tips for you from our adventure:

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Exploring the Wildlife Wonders and Ecology of Lake Superior at the Great Lakes Aquarium

Exploring the Wildlife Wonders and Ecology of Lake Superior at the Great Lakes Aquarium

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary admission to Glensheen and the Great Lakes Aquarium in partnership with Visit Duluth in order to bring you detailed reviews. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Lake Superior figures prominently in Duluth's ecology, history, economy and everyday life. So, understanding the lake provides a nice foundation for a visit to the city. A morning at the Great Lakes Aquarium gave us a fantastic and informative look at the marine life calling Lake Superior home as well as a taste of different aquatic environments throughout the world. Spend a little time exploring this incredible lake with us and see why the Great Lakes Aquarium is great to add to your Duluth visit especially when traveling with littles:

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Weekend Getaway to Duluth, Minnesota

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary admission to Glensheen and the Great Lakes Aquarium in partnership with Visit Duluth in order to bring you detailed reviews. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Weekend Getaway to Duluth, Minnesota: Nature, Lake Views, History, Makers Food and More

Visiting Lake Superior has long been on my travel list. When a free weekend presented itself, my husband and I seized the opportunity to head to Duluth, Minnesota for a weekend away. We quickly fell in love with Duluth's position on the serene, nearly thawed, magnificent Lake Superior:

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