exotic fruits

Island of Madeira, Portugal

paradise

Island of Madeira, Portugal

ocean cliffs

Island of Madeira, Portugal

simple beauty

Island of Madeira, Portugal

bird of paradise

Island of Madeira, Portugal

burst of color

Island of Madeira, Portugal

grace

Eau Galle, Wisconsin, USA

weeping willow

Eau Galle, Wisconsin, USA

bluffs along the Mississippi

Stockholm, Wisconsin, USA

vast beauty

Herbster, Wisconsin, USA

log homes

Eau Galle, Wisconsin, USA

Awesome!
 

bluffs as a backdrop

Nelson, Wisconsin, USA

Nestled between the bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley, the area around Nelson offers an array of possibilities for any nature lover.

out fishing

Eau Galle, Wisconsin, USA

There are many Amish people in the area living on farms, building furniture and making quilts.

Copper Falls

Mellen, Wisconsin, USA

Many different Indian tribes lived in this area over the centuries and mined copper to make hunting weapons and tools.  The most recent Indians in this region were the Sioux and Chippewa who were here when the French first arrived Lake Superior.  In 1929, this area has been named Copper Falls State Park, where the Bad River meets with the Tyler Forks tributary, creating a series of waterfalls.

sunset on Lake Eau Galle

Eau Galle, Wisconsin, USA

bass fishing

Eau Galle, Wisconsin, USA

"peeking" through

Eau Galle, Wisconsin, USA

barns, barns and more barns

Eau Galle, Wisconsin, USA

field after field

Arkansaw, Wisconsin, USA

a staple of life

Eau Galle, Wisconsin, USA

kayaking

New Auburn, Wisconsin, USA

Days at the lake, just paddling around, sure are peaceful!

rivers of green

Eau Galle, Wisconsin, USA

goofy reflections

Chicago, Illinois, USA

In the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park, come see your reflection walking around the "Cloud Gate" sculpture, also known by many as "The Bean" due to its shape.

reflections

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Millennium Park, in the middle of the bigger Grant Park, is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon.  In this picture you can see the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, designed by architect Frank Gehry, and the Cloud Gate sculpture, designed by Anish Kapoor, reflecting Chicago's wonderful skyline.

fountains and skylines

Chicago, Illinois, USA

The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain stands tall in the heart of Grant Park.  It was modeled after a fountain at the Palace of Versailles.

Chicago from a distance

Evanston, Illinois, USA

Evanston, accessible by rail, is 19 kilometers (12 miles) north of Chicago and is home to the distinguished Northwestern University, founded in 1851.  Several hundred acres of farmland were bought along the shores of Lake Michigan in order for this university to get its start.  Later the town was named after John Evans, one of many responsible for this university to get under way.

Grant Park

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Grant Park, set between Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago, is home to the Chicago Art Institute and holds many public gatherings and events.
    

4th of July

Rock Falls, Wisconsin, USA

Along with barbecues, baseball games and fireworks, parades also make up part of the tradition to celebrate Independence Day.

Millennium Park

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Millennium Park, set on the shores of Lake Michigan, is a tribute to the city of Chicago's long history of architectural and artistic excellence and is meant to stand as an inspiration to future generations to carry this legacy forward.

Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Found in the heart of downtown Chicago in front of Lake Michigan, this museum contains an amazing collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings, among many other incredible works of art.  It's the second largest art museum in the United States, after the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.  For me, it's a must see when visting Chicago.

tiger lilies

Eau Galle, Wisconsin, USA

I remember these in our back yard growing up as a kid.