The Third Annual Michael Jason Chocolate Hike!

Trail Distance: 5 miles
Trail Difficulty: Easy - paved sidewalk
Hiking Pace: 2 to 3 miles per hour
Cost: $1 optional donation
Leader: Paul B - paul@windycityhikers.com

When: Sunday, May 18, 10:30AM

The Third Annual Michael Jason Chocolate Hike!

Here's the plan: we'll meet at 10:30am at the Hollywood Avenue Beach. Chances are we'll be the only large group on the beach that day so we should be easy to spot ? look for us near the bathrooms next to a sloping paved drive to the beach. We'll follow the Lake Shore Trail along the lake until we reach Michigan Avenue. From there, we'll head inland for a short walk down Michigan Avenue to Water Tower Place. Once there we'll duck inside for the traditional post-hike lunch at FoodLife - the non-food court, food court (they have some aversion to being called a food court). This is a good choice for us because reservations aren't necessary, they have a wide variety of food options, and they won't care that we're sweaty from our hike.

Here's where dessert comes in! After our lunch we'll wander to our favorite chocolatiers on Michigan Avenue to try the samples and reward ourselves for a hike well done. In the past some places were rather stingy on the samples, so please bring some spending cash to purchase something sweet. Please let me know your favorite downtown chocolatiers, so far I know of Ethels Chocolates, Godiva Chocolatier, Lindt Master Chocolatier, and Vosges Haut-Chocolat.

Even though this is a city hike, still bring the drinking water and snacks for the trail - dehydration is always a potential hazard with outdoor activity. We'll be hiking on asphalt most of the day so running shoes may be more appropriate than your hiking boots. Don?t forget to bring sunscreen and your shades as well. Finally, this is a mixed-use path, with many bicyclists and runners. It will be VERY IMPORTANT to stay on our side of the path and be aware of others - this is a matter of safety - you do not want to be run over by a spending bicyclist.

Directions:

Take the red line to the Bryn Mawr stop. Walk east until you reach the lake. Head north along the lake just a bit to reach the Hollywood Avenue Beach.

By car, take Lake Shore Drive north to the Foster Avenue exit and turn towards the lake - a parking lot should be on your left. From here either walk north along the path to meet at the starting location or stay on the path and wait for us to meet you. (If you plan to stay on the path and wait for the group to meet you please let me know ahead of time via a phone call or in you RSVP so we are not waiting for you to show up.)