With Appreciation

Last night, it was raining. The person who was supposed to pick me up was carless. I missed the bus, and yet things were good, very good. Not everything about being human is give-or-take. We do some things because we do them, some very good things, like give rides to those who ask and who need.

I was the one asking and needing, and Brian, a stranger with whom I had chatted for a few minutes, gave me a quick lift home. He took his time to help me and he wouldn't even take a dollar. A lot of people are like him. They don't make headlines often and we don't appreciate them quite enough. It seems easier to focus on the one bad act for the every two acts which go beyond the normal call of being courteous.

I try to remember that, all the small and large gestures which show the awareness of a situation and its wider scope. A simple action can go a long way. Thank you, Brian. I'll remember.

Devil's Standtable Nature Trail

After the Giant City Nature Trail, we headed to a shorter trail not far away: Devil's Standtable. While ominous-sounding, the hike led quickly through the still-barren forest to a set of sandstone bluffs. We made a turn followed along the base until there it was the Standtable.



Full Profile

From shifting and erosion, a flat portion stood out atop a pillar of rock. While picturesque, it was much more a "We came and we saw and we walked away" site. I think this effect was partly a lack of dramatic buildup due to the trail's much shorter length of about 1/3 mile. There was also an element of not being in the scene due to the distance at which the rock formation stood. No scaling. No sitting on top and staring at the forest below.



Closer View

Though with a bit of summer forest cover, the Standtable probably gives more of a sense of being a "gem in the rough". The location also intrigued me because of the large number of pigeons which nested in the spaces along the cliff faces in the area (pigeons are acually wildlife and not city dwellers, after all). In total, while not as whole as other trails, I would suggest taking the short hike and catch a look. What can your experience be?

A Chill and a Winning Streak on the Line

Prologue:
"They should pay you to attend games."
My brother Steve

...

After spending a few hours viewing an Edvard Munch exhibit at the Art Institute, Sandra and I headed outside and into downtown. What was just over 70 degrees upon arrival was now a rain and 60, a little brrrrrr for the transitioning trip. A bit shocking perhaps, but this wasn't particularly surprising since the forecast called for upper 50s during the game. Besides, the museum is very near the lakefront and that always seems to add an extra chilling pierce to moderate and cool temperatures.

However, the thermometer didn't seem to stabilize as we exited the train and walked to the ballpark for the evening's White Sox contest. A little weather won't keep me away. The ticket's paid. It's baseball, and my mojo is on the line. You see, the Sox rarely lose when I'm actually in attendance. Since 2000, in the ten or so games I've seen at the park, I think the team has lost twice. Of course, one was a rather discouraging loss in the 2000 playoffs to the Mariners, but time (and a championship title in 2005) casts things in perspective: I could be a Cubs fan.

A Will-Call stop for a ticket. Another rain shower. After a short delay, we settled into the seats for the game. In top of the second, the Blue Jays opened a 2-0 lead. Sandra openly questioned my influence. I responded that it was only the second inning. The Sox also responded and quickly tied in their half of the inning as an unlikely hero, journeyman catcher Corky Miller, doubled which keyed the rally.

It was cold. I didn't care what the forecast had forecasted; it was not upper 50s any longer. By the fourth inning, we could see our breath as I left to hunt some concessions. Hot chocolate and warm food. After an inning of waiting in lines, I returned with food and no beverage (it's a story that needs no retelling). Just in time. The Sox started scoring with a barrage of hits and walks which was capped by a "no question about it, it's out of here" shot by a struggling Alexei Ramirez--grand slam no. 5 for the shortstop's budding major league career.

A couple of more runs and solid pitching sealed the victory, 10-2. My winning charm remains intact despite an occassional naysayer.

...

Epilogue:
Sandra sent me this today. It's a listing of time and temperature from Midway Airport:

5 PM (21) Apr 25
69F (21C)
Calm
light rain

6 PM (22) Apr 25
48 (9)
NNE 17
light rain

7 PM (23) Apr 25
46.0 (7.8)
N 20
light rain

...

Yep...a drop of 21 degrees in an hour. It was cold.

A Little Music

A friend of mine, Mike, has recently started a blog featuring short clips of his guitar playing (and even an occassional vocal). I've known Mike since my college days which is soon to hit twenty years ago. So while I might be a bit biased, I think the latest post, Bonus Track, is particularly nice.

If you want to check out more homemade, no-frills picking by someone who enjoys playing, click this:
Mike's Music and More

Slicing into Architecture

A good entry into the world of architecture is the blog, A Daily Dose of Architecture. While focusing on New York City, the site features architecture from around the globe and topics which are relevant anywhere.

The blog is informative for the non-architect without "dumbing down" the material. The use of sketches, photographs, and computer models help illustrate points and show some fantastic pieces of architecture. The site goes into the world of architecture and presents the faces of architects and their theories.

For a slice:
"49 Cities sets out to crunch the numbers of several centuries of unrealized urbanism, all the way from the Roman city to the great utopian projects of the 20th century. Through plans, sections, diagrams, charts and scale drawings,
49 cities are observed statistically and presented in an unprecedented comparative study, the result of a research project conducted over several years. Despite the fact that they never actually existed, this history of utopian urbanism provides a remarkable insight into our understanding of the contemporary metropolis."

As Sunday's post, the passage is quoted to introduce a comparative study, currently displayed in New York, of 49 metropolitian forms. To see the post and read more, click here. The post also has a link to a sample of the study. Browsing the sample, I think it's interesting the forms that we have built and have proposed.

So if you want to find out more, stop by:
A Daily Dose of Architecture

Zen Stories

Time to Die

Ikkyu, the Zen master, was very clever even as a boy. His teacher had a precious teacup, a rare antique. Ikkyu happened to break this cup and was greatly perplexed. Hearing the footsteps of his teacher, he held the pieces of the cup behind him. When the master appeared, Ikkyu asked: "Why do people have to die?"

"This is natural," explained the older man. "Everything has to die and has just so long to live."

Ikkyu, producing the shattered cup, added: "It was time for your cup to die."

While the use of parables is not unique among cultures and religions, Zen takes a slightly different perspective with its use of stories. The first noticeable trait is that the Zen story is meant to be contemplated. In fact, the point is not always clear on the first, second, or twentieth read. The lack of overt bludgeoning of the reader with the "moral" lends the tale power by forcing the reading to be the moment--Ah! the suddeness of understanding.

Another feature of the Zen story is the use of humor. Many Zen stories elicit a good chuckle (the introductory story is a good example). In some sense, the need for duality always permeates. For every serious truth, there must be an equal measure of humor. You laugh, and then somewhere later, an insight breaks through a previously not considered layer.

I find the most striking feature of the stories is the sense that they are stories, a sequence of words put together which should be discaded, like training wheels, when necessary. Any sense of truth is not fixed in a tablet but lies in space between the words and the reader. Again, the moment is where everything falls apart and becomes whole.

A good example of that perspective is the following:
The Stone Mind

Hogen, a Chinese Zen teacher, lived alone in a small temple in the country. One day four traveling monks appeared and asked if they might make a fire in his yard to warm themselves.

While they were building the fire, Hogen heard them arguing about subjectivity and objectivity. He joined them and said: "There is a big stone. Do you consider it to be inside or outside your mind?"

One of the monks replied: "From the Buddhist viewpoint everything is an objectification of mind, so I would say that the stone is inside my mind."

"Your head must feel very heavy," observed Hogen, "if you are carrying around a stone like that in your mind."

A listing of the tales which were compiled in 1919 can be found at 101 Zen Stories. For a more spontaneous touch, there is a link which will show a random story if you'd like to read and think without consciously sorting through the list.

Explore. I think the site is worth a look and a thought.

Back in the Swing

Yesterday, the temperature hit the lows 60s. Today's forecast calls for upper 60s. So after some 50 and even 40 degree days, it feels like Spring again. It's even warm enough to take off the jacket and whack a few balls around the driving range. I did that in the hour before sunset last night.

It's nice to be back outside taking some swings. As often as I practice, I figure it will take me a thousand years to make the PGA Tour, but that's okay. Sometimes the swing is on, sometimes it's not. I'm looking to enjoy the time, the landscape, perhaps one of these days, I'll break 100. August of last year was the first time I was on a course and my low score for eighteen holes is 132--there's a ways to go.

Still that leaves room for growth, especially when the ball doesn't go straight and in the air and I want to cuss at myself. There's a bit of room for growth and there's a lot to see. Especially sunset as the clouds in the western horizon turn orange and lavendar and drift behind the form of a train station lit for night--always something to see.

A Night Visitor in the Day

I don't remember seeing it. I don't remember looking at the sky and and spying it late in the morning or afternoon. But I assume it's been there all along and I just haven't looked until last year. About thirteen months ago, I dedicated myself to open and see more.

I do. Now, on days like today, I stare into the clear blueness and catch the familiar shape of the Moon. It's a ghost in the daylight, this morning a pale half-circle arcing its way across the sky.

The Moon has a pull, always has that pull.

Giant City Nature Trail, Part Three

There were several highlights of the hike. First was being in the Streets of Giant City. It's one thing to see photographs, but physically being framed by 20 foot+ rock walls forces the self into the moment. Some of the streets were wide, while for others, Sandra and I had to brace our hands against the rocks as we eased our way through the narrower passages. I felt situated here and also in a larger sense of time.

This was reinforced by the names and dates on the walls of a particular section just before Balance Rock. People have been hiking to this spot for hundreds of years. Several have etched their presence in the rock, chiseling their being there into the face of the Streets. Beauty has that power, the desire to want to fashion some permanence into something which appears larger and greater than one's self.

The other highlight is Balance Rock. It's not just the rock which slide down the bluff and found its way to edge of the Streets, but also how the trail leads to this spot. We wound our way through the rock lanes for a while, perhaps for even twenty or thirty minutes, and then suddenly it's there.




Rising Ahead


Just before Balance Rock, the third highlight announced itself with a knocking, which sounded close but with such a softness that I figured it was several hundred feet away. Ah...woodpecker! We listened intently, hoping we could judge the direction of the sound so that we would have a chance to see the bird. So far, the trail was fairly devoid of animals, except for the numerous squirrels.

We ascended to Balance Rock, pausing to look and to hear. Yes, a woodpecker was somewhere. We reached the rock, and with a blur of wings and colors a few feet away, two birds flew off. Wide wings. A red crest. Off to the west into the forest, they flew. These were no ordinary woodpeckers. I later researched and confirmed that they were pileated woodpeckers, the largest woodpeckers in North America.

Rising out of the Streets to Balance Rock, catching the birds' flight--this was the climax of the hike. From our vantage point, we could view the forested valley stretching south and west from us. The soft knocking was now gone, yet the leaves continued rustling as squirrels scurried through them. And the sun was warm as the sheets of gray had now parted into puffs of clouds, leaving room for the light to brighten everything.

From the other side of Balance Rock, we noticed a dead fallen tree. This is what had attracted the woodpeckers to the place. The view of the boulder was also impressive. At some point in time, the rock had broken away from the bluff above and came down until it snagged an edge and came to a rest here.




Balance Rock: View from the Other Side


The trail continued to circle around the bluffs as we walked alongside the cliff faces and through the trees. Serene. At one location, we heard more soft knocking and we stopped. I spied a little woodpecker working on tree limb high above the trail in front of us.

Eventually, the path led to bluff top, and we sat and rested for a few minutes in the sun to soak in the light. Sitting on the bench and viewing the valley made the whole scene feel like it is all ours, as if time just gathered itself and created the moment for the two of us. And it did.

After our pause, we headed back down to the trail head. At the bottom, the bluff hung over the path, and the trickling of water began again. In parts, icicles hung, melting in the noon sun. I photographed a few.




Icicles in Spring


Completely satisfied, we arrived back at the start. I understand why the Giant City Nature Trail is the signature and namesake trail of the state park. The elements of the bluff and the forest come together with the sheer uniqueness of the Streets to form impressions, ones which last. Also, while there are parts where the hiking requies effort, there is nothing overwhelming physically on the trail. If you're in the area, it's a must-do one to two hour hike (depending upon how long you like to linger). Check it out.


Trails of Giant City State Park

Midway through the list is the Giant City Nature Trail. There is also a link to the trail map.

Over next couple of weeks, I will write and post photos of the other trails we hiked, but I definitely would say the Nature Trail was the best when we visted the state park.

Giant City Nature Trail, Part Two

While we stepped along the trail, the sun started to show through the clouds from time to time. This warmed us literally and figuratively as the landscape developed more contrast. Another thing which was impressive was the scope of the valley. Since the trees were still barren, we could see from our higher vantage point the land sink and then rise up miles away. I didn't try to photograph it, because it's one of those scenes, you have to be there in order to sense its magnitude.

Here's a good view of a less vertical side of the bluff:



Viewing the Bluff


An aspect that really stands out is the stratification or layering of the rock. In several areas, it looks like slabs of rock were laid on top of one another and pressed together, with different layers jutting out or receding leaving table-like edges.

Also, a very common sight were formations which look like a staircase carved into the cliff sides. I conjecture that the steps are created through the motion of water as it runs down the cliff from rain or snow melt. Not only on this trail but others, we spotted many dry channels/gullies which could carry runoff water.




Staircase


Looping around, we finally arrived at the Streets. These are large rock formations which appear as if a giant carved them. It's these that led the area to be called Giant City.




Welcome to the Streets


The first theory hypothesized that it was tectonic forces which broke apart the rock and created the distinctive lanes. A later theory reasoned that the formations were due to erosion, predominately water erosion. Considering that we heard a lot of trickling as we moved through the streets, I believe that water was the primary influence.




Beginnings of a Street?


The formations are impressive. Here's a photograph of my girlfriend Sandra looking at the rock. This image gives a perspective into the size of carved lanes.




Sandra Studies


It was neat walking through the area. In some spots, it narrowed, but we moved through. With the sun now mostly free of cloud cover, the play of light was also fascinating.




Peering Through


In a few locations, the sides of the rock also had some interesting designs. Here's one:



A Little Face


At this point, we were about halfway through the trail and haven't reached the pinnacle of the hike, Balance Rock.

More soon...

Giant City Nature Trail, Part One

Overhead, clouds dominated the skies, but we could see the sun trying to cut through the grayness. And it was cool, probably mid-forty degrees when we set out for our first hike in the state park. It was a matter of minutes; after a short drive from the Lodge, we arrived at the start of the namesake trail, Giant City Nature Trail.

We gathered the camera and some water and began the hike. Immediately the bluffs rose with their layers of reddish sandstone and the occassional shale. The trees were barren except for some pine. Leaves covered the forest floor. Moss and ferns hung to rock facings. It's a different world from the city.

As the trail split to make its loop around and through the bluff, we heard the trickle of water, a dripping from along the cliff sides. At first, it was difficult to believe. After all, it was above freezing, but looking more closely...




It's Ice!


Water had frozen into icicles in places along the cliff, That water was now melting and dripping to the base of the bluffs. That little patter-patter was a note we often heard.

Shortly afterward, we encountered a few large rocks which had probably broken and fell from the main bluff. Examining one these boulders, I noticed the intricate pattern that the formation and erosion had produced in the face of the rock. The texture was remarkable.




Rock Honeycomb


Outside of numerous squirrels scurrying through the last Fall's leaves, the forest was quiet. In a lot of ways, it felt like my girlfriend and I were intrepid explorers to a new land.

It was a new land to us. As we curved along a bend in the trail, we found a close scene which showed the impressive power of the forces at work on the rock. A chunk was missing from the bluff. In particular, it was a rectangular chunk, almost as if someone wanted to cleave a geometrical space into the cliff side.




Rectangular Inlet


From the photograph, you can see that wherever there is real estate, something will try to grow: trees, moss, and vines. Here's another view from along the right and further in:



From a Different Vantage Point


This is part one of the hike. More will soon follow, including the Streets of Giant City.

A Taste

Last night, I dashed together a dish with chicken and a seasoned vegetable blend of corn, black beans, onion, and red peppers. I added some black pepper and cayenne pepper so the meal had some heat. Because of the spice, I offered two off-dry wine choices to my girlfriend, and we decided on a 2008 Seyval Blanc by Owl Creek, a vineyard whose wines we tasted on our trip to Southern Illinois.

Seyval Blanc is a French-American hybrid grape made from crossing other hybrids. A couple of sites I checked identifed the genetic sources as Seibel 5656 and Seibel 4986 (Rayon d'Or), which are unknown grape varietals to me. The idea behind the genetic hybridizations was to merge the best flavors of the European vinifera grapes with the ruggedness of their North American cousins. Much of the eastern United States, including more central areas like Illinois, grow hybrids for their ease of cultivation and their expressiveness in flavor.

The varietal Seyval Blanc, in particular, responds well to cooler climates and is found in northern countries like Canada and England, but will grow in warmer areas. It's a commonly cultivated white grape in Southern Illinois, where it's used in blends and single varietal wines. It will sometimes also be the base for sweetly rich dessert wines.

Owl Creek's version showcases the grape's strengths: solid acidity with slight mineral undertones topped with nice citrus accents. This particular vintage also is semi-dry, which led me to consider it as a pairing with the spicy chicken dish. Sweetness helps balance hot flavors in food; this definitely held true as I added perhaps a touch too much cayenne pepper to the chicken.

The bottle paired well with the meal; the wine was a bit zippy and refreshing with enough body to match the spice, simply a well-made wine, which at first might seem surprising if you haven't recently tried a selection of wines from Southern Illinois. Yes, there are some less-than-mediocre wines and a few which cover their flaws with copious amounts of residual sugar and others which I wonder about their price to value ratio. Still, a lot of winemaking in the region is solid and many bottles offer character, including Owl Creek's Seyval Blanc.

If you like to check out more:

Shawnee Wine Trail
Owl Creek Vineyard