This summer features the Cary Farmers Market in their new summer home in downtown Cary. While it's within walking distance from where it has been held, it's a great improvement.
It was a Windy City BMW kind of day at Crystal Lake BMW when they teamed up to for a Cars & Coffee car show. While they clouds were foreboding, the only rumbling was the engines.
Illinois Motors put on a super car show on Sunday with their 2nd annual Illinois Motors Cars & Coffee event. If you missed it, we've got some pics.
Like a Christmas tale straight out of a storybook or a holiday movie, Richmond served up small town holiday charm during Richmond's Cocoa Walk and the Richmond Christmas of Yesteryear events.
Our first attendance to the Village of Algonquin's Miracle On Main tree lighting event was about as perfect as it could get. Between the great weather, lots to see, festive crowd, and grabbing dinner without a reservation or a wait on a Saturday night, I'm not sure what more you
Come along as we journey to the McHenry Christmas Tree Lighting in Veteran's Memorial Park. It was a great afternoon and evening with pretty perfect weather!
Wonder Lake's Fall Fest was the place to be for all kinds of fun, from a trunk or treat to a huge bonfire! Take a peek!
A whole lot of fun was happening at Crystal Lake Plaza's annual Halloween Family Fun Event. Did you make it into any of the photos? Check and see!
Great day for a Halloween Walk in Fox River Grove with the Cary-Grove Chamber of Commerce. Check out the smiles and the great costumes.
Another successful Truck or Treat with the Crystal Lake Park District on a glorious, if not chilly, fall day at Main Beach.
Amazing weather this year made for a great day out in the country, taking in the fall colors on the Autumn Drive and Witches & Wizards of Woodstock.
What better way to spend a beautiful Sunday than strolling around the grounds at The Dole, enjoying a charity car show combined with the weekly Farmers Market+?
Downtown Crystal Lake Farmers Market wrapped up the 2023 season with amazing weather and lots of people enjoying the day. Can't ask for much more than that.
Perfect weather marked the 30th annual Johnny Appleseed Festival, and what may have been the one of the biggest ones yet.
Car shows don't always appear at all the usual places. Such was the case when we visited Melody Living for their Car Show to benefit the Alzheimer's Association.
Celebrate this year's National Farmers Market Week by visiting the amazing local farmers markets that we have here in McHenry County.
Did you make out to play on the big hill at the Nunda Township Road District's annual Touch-A-Truck? Hope so, but if not, we've captured some of the fun.
There's a new farmers market in town, Johnsburg specifically, so come along and have a look from my recent walk thru.
Hop on board as we head up to the Village of Hebron for their annual Independence Day Parade.
If you didn't make it out to this year's Cary Summer Celebration, we saved some photos for you. And if you were there, take a look...you might be in one of those photos.
What better way to enjoy a middle of the week evening than heading to Cary for Cary Cruise Nights! Take a peak at opening night, but don't worry if you didn't make it, there's plenty more to come.
Come along as we head to Stevens Park in Richmond for their annual Memorial Day Ceremony.
What's that up in the sky? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Well, it might just be a ski jumper with the ski jump tower in the background...and yes, that actually is a plane in the background! Join us on this exciting adventure of ski jumping at the
Check out this special edition camera roll with photos from the first day of the 118th Norge Ski Club Winter Tournament.
Join the Library Lovers Expedition by taking a tour of 13 local libraries and get enter into a drawing for one of several amazing gift baskets.
While the new year is upon us and the holiday decorations have started to come down, enjoy this look at the Huntley Christmas lights in the Town Square.
While it's cold and wet outside, venture with us back to October when we took a walk around Veteran Acres Park to enjoy, what was then, the transitioning season.
Get your dose of Christmas spirit with these photos from downtown Crystal Lake for the Festival of Lights Parade, tree lighting, arrival of Santa, and a stroll down Christmas Tree Lane.
Crystal Lake Plaza was once again home to a party of zombies, princesses, fighter pilots, an array of video game characters, and much more on Saturday as their annual trick-or-treating event returned.
Amazing weather, two weekends in a row for events at Main Beach in October?! I don't know what the odds are for that, but I do know that it was great to enjoy another fall day where a coat was optional. And these trick-or-treaters definitely enjoyed showing off their costumes!
Our trip to check out the Starline Factory 4th Friday event became as much an exploration of this historic structure that was transformed from former factory to a destination for art and events.
Explore the magic as Witches & Wizards of Woodstock returns once again to serve up magic, fantasy, and fun for all.
Crystal Lake Park District brought the Northwoods of Wisconsin to Main Beach for a day with lumberjacks, family fun, food trucks and a beer garden. Thanks to the unseasonably warm, weather, flannel shorts may have been preferred over flannel shirts. Needless to say, from the countless photos taken, no one
While I hope you make it out to enjoy the colors and sights of the changing season, here are some photos from around our neighborhood to serve as encouragement or at least consolation.
Hop on and enjoy the view! Another Autumn Drive has come and gone and winter is already beating on the door. If you didn't make it out, you'll have to wait till next year, but here are some photos to tide you over until then.
What do you get when you combine vintage classic cars with trick-or-treaters? Perhaps the wildest car show or most unique trunk or treat you've ever seen.
The 5th Annual Algonquin Harvest Market was as much an extension of summer as it was a transition into fall. Either way, it was a glorious day to walk Main Street in Algonquin, perusing the various vendors, enjoying a beverage or two, some great food, all while enjoying some wonderful
Johnny Appleseed made his appearance again in downtown Crystal Lake for the Johnny Appleseed Festival, and brought some amazing weather with him. Until next year, here are some photos to tide you over!
Art on the Fox brought in artists and artisans from within McHenry County and beyond the state line. If you didn't make it, take a look at what you missed and you might even want to trakc down a few artists or artisans who catch your eye!
Closing out summer with a trip to the Lake in the Hills annual Summer Sunset Festival. We checked out the carnival on Sunday and fun times were had! If you didn't make it, check out our photos to see what you missed.
An amazing and immersive nature experience awaits you, and it may be closer than you think. Crystal Lake has a wonderful array of parks for recreation, but it's also home to Sterne's Woods & Fen, which is wonderful preservation area as well.
Hop on the train or in your car and head to the Fox River Grove Metra Station if for no other reason than to check out their cool parking slot-payment system. Is it new low-tech? No-tech? Vintage? Retro? I'm not sure, but it's pretty cool whatever it is.
Crystal Lake Main Beach provided the backdrop to this year's Monarchs and Music, a fun and unique collaborative educational monarch butterfly fair and community concert.
It takes more than a little rain to keep us away. But you can enjoy these photos from the Open Air Farmers Market+ At The Dole from the comfort of your own home, regardless of the weather.
Got a train to catch? Head to Crystal Lake's downtown Metra station and you can catch more than just the train, with easy access to downtown Crystal Lake restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and more. Check out what makes the Metra "stations" unique in Crystal Lake.
While you wait...take a walk around the Lakeside Festival. At least that's what I did ahead of Crystal Lake's annual Independence Day Parade, and here are some photos to prove it!
It was a near-perfect day for a parade. If you missed this year's Crystal Lake Independence Day Parade, then we've got over 100 photos that will show you some of what you missed, or relive what you experienced if you were there.
Celebrate the 4th and the summer kick-off with the Cary Park District's annual Summer Celebration with some music, food, and fireworks! Come along and feast your eyes on some photos from the event.
Weekly car show fun without all of the hassle and expense! If you're itching for some candy apple red eye candy, then you'll want to check out this glimpse of what you might find at a Cary Cruise Night!
Sit back and stay awhile as you flip through over 100 photos from Huntley's Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony.
The Veterans Committee Network of Northern Illinois honors fallen Illinois service members each Memorial Day with their Field of the Fallen.
Wonderful weather prevailed for the Fox River Grove Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony, and we've got the photos to prove it. So if you didn't make it out, sit back and enjoy our little recap.
Cornish Park in Algonquin stands out with its clocktower, view of the dam on the Fox River, and wonderful greenspace and playground for the kids. That alone would be great, but it also benefits from being in the heart of old Algonquin within walking distance of two other parks and
Riverfront Park in Algonquin provides great views of the Fox River, as well as a well-landscaped green space for relaxing. While the trees were still a little bare in early spring, the flowers were happy to show their colors to make up for it.
Come along as we check out this historic park right off the downtown Algonquin area, just blocks from the Fox River.
What better way to spend a sunny, though windy and chilly, pre-Easter Saturday than with the hardest working bunny around! Enjoy some photos from the Village of Prairie Grove's annual Easter Egg Hunt.
If you like tacos and trains, have we got a train station for you! The McHenry Metra station can claim to have both, although, probably more tacos than trains.
A wonderful return to art, The Dole, and life in general. Come along as we enjoy the return of art exhibits at The Dole with the "New Beginnings" show by Creative Arts Inc. students and instructors.
Grab your green and get your Irish on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! And what better way to do it than by heading to the McHenry ShamRocks the Fox. If you didn't brave the cold, here are some photos of the parade and the river to tide you over till
Okay, campers, if you didn't make it out this morning to get first...paw prognostications from the great Woodstock Willie, then you're in luck, and a lot warmer! Sit back and enjoy...
Like a step back in time, enjoy the simple and classic holiday lighting of Veteran's Memorial Park. Just add snow!
Get in the holiday spirit with a stroll through downtown Crystal Lake, with a walk down Christmas Tree Lane to Peppermint Park, get in some last minute shopping, and meet up with the jolly man in the red suit.
The Crystal Lake Park District's Luminaria Walk is truly a wonderful way to experience Veteran Acres Park. It's also a great way to transition into the holiday season.
It was wet, but it was merry and very worth standing out in the cold. If you weren't able to make it out for the Merry Cary Holiday Parade & Festival, click along to see what you missed.
Be sure to save a little time in your hectic schedule for a stroll around the Woodstock Historic Square this holiday season to take in the festive light display.
Autumn seemed to rush by this year. While many leaves had turned and even started falling by early November, I was fortunate enough to capture some while I visited the Rush Creek Conservation Area. Come along for the ride!
Take a trip to the end of the line...Metra UP-NW end that is. Here's a little peek at the Harvard Metra station and downtown Harvard, Illinois.
We had fun checking out some of the Halloween decorations and some Trick-or-Treating in Marengo.
Come along as we walk around a parking lot. While it was an ordinary parking lot, it was not an everyday experience. Take a peek at some cool and classic cars that recently met up in Crystal Lake.
Main Beach park was a buzz with all sorts of goblins, ghouls, and superheroes at this year's Crystal Lake Park District's Truck or Treat.
If you missed this year's Annual Autumn Drive, come along and enjoy a photo tour of just a little bit of what you missed.
Downtown Crystal Lake always knows how to signal the return of fall with the annual Johnny Appleseed Festival; this year celebrating 28 years! If you missed it, we've got a taste for you here!
Hop a ride as we take a quick tour through the Cary Metra Station and the great facilities in downtown Cary.
From a dairy farm to a gravel pit, The Hollows now lives on as a conservation area and recreation site. This amazing little gem may just be the quick getaway that you've been looking for.
Pleasant Valley Conservation Area is a truly amazing environmental experience. Over 2,000 acres of natural habitat, including rare plant and endangered animal species. Enjoy a true hidden getaway with hiking trails, various landscapes, cross country skiing, and more.
Woodstock Metra Station is just a few minutes walk from the Woodstock Historic Square District in downtown Woodstock and offers free parking. Planning a trip to or from Woodstock? Here's the lowdown.
Wonder down a little alleyway and you'll get a surprise. The Woodstock Mural and Sculpture Garden, featuring the Woodstock on Film and on the Stage Mural is a true work of art that highlights Woodstock's role in film and stage.
What better way to spend a Tuesday morning, especially during National Farmers Market Week, than visiting with vendors at the Woodstock Summer Farmer's Market around the historic square!
Okay bargain hunters, don't miss the Downtown Crystal Lake Summer Sidewalk Sale!
The Crystal Lake Public Library is reopened after COVID restrictions are lowered and their repair project nears completion. Join me as a take stroll around, both inside and out, to checkout what's new!
Take a walk with us as we tour the Downtown Crystal Lake Farmers Market for the first time this summer. And of course, this wouldn't be complete without a stroll down North Williams Street.
Nothing could have prepared me for this trip to Veteran Acres Park and my journey around the pond. What was meant to be our first photolog ended up with about an equal amount of text as I share information on the tree removal around the pond at Veteran Acres Park.
You'll be amazed at what Richardson Farm can do with a cornfield! Nothing like a day on the farm, picking out pumpkins, navigating a huge corn maze, ziplining across the farm, snacking on some apple cider donuts, and all kinds of fun activities for all ages! Take some time out
Regardless of your fashion style or budget, the great equalizer is that sooner or later, most if not all of us will need to take something to the cleaners. Let me share my simple criteria for cleaners as well as my personal experiences with CD One Price Cleaners here in
No matter the time of year, one thing is certain, we all want to be comfortable in our homes. That may mean being cooler in the summer and warmer in the fall, but also humidity and other factors.
McHenry Dam, nestled in the southwest corner of Moraine Hills State Park, is a large and peaceful destination in itself. With the quiet roar of the dam in the background and stand of large, dense trees, the dam offers a lovely place to relax for fishermen and picnickers alike. Moraine
Crystal Lake's Metra station catering to commuters, Pingree Road, has limited services onsite, but it gets the job done. On the upside, it has tons of parking, a long platform so that commuters don't have to crowd around just a few cars, and a friendly little cafe inside the waiting
The Johnny Appleseed Festival celebrates the legacy of Johnny Appleseed, a famously kind and generous pioneer nurseryman who traveled the eastern Midwest in the early 1800s spreading apple trees and his religion along the way. We had our own visit from Johnny, a jolly man who talked to all the
Thanks to local farmers markets, a trip to the farm for fresh produce, meets, cheeses, and other goodies is often just a short drive away.