Perks Cafe - Lake Cook Metra Station - Deerfield

We went to Perks Cafe which is in the Metra station (named Lake Cook) in Deerfield, IL.  It was fun to watch the trains (both commuter and freight) pass by us, though, as always, it inspired me to travel.

While there, an employee came in to relieve the one who served us.  They chatted for a few minutes, and she mentioned that she had recently seen a movie at the Glen 10.  I wanted to say, "Hey, I've seen a movie there!"  But, I don't have a voice.  Well, I do, but my voice is here online.  So, if you're reading this, Miss Barista, an empty roll of TP saw a movie there too! :)

a look into the depot waiting area

train going by

Starbucks - Northbrook (Village Square)

My third Starbucks in Northbrook.  This on in the Village Square Shopping Center.  It was another day of just reading for my owner.

Starbucks #26 for Ollie! (third one in Northbrook)

Starbucks - Vernon Hills (Townline Rd.)

Another Starbucks in Vernon Hills, remember the other one I went to was one of my first ones - #3 to be exact.  This one is #25!  A quarter of the way to the century mark!

My owner just read - Everything is Illuminated.

Starbucks #25 for Ollie!

La Magdalena - Schaumburg, IL

We stopped for Mexican food at La Magdalena in Schaumburg, IL - which was yummy.  Specifically we had tacos, but if you've been paying attention, you would've been able to predict that. :)

Starbucks - Rockford (Bell School Rd.)

This was a day to work for my owner.  While writing on his laptop here, it rained really hard, then moved on and the sun came out.  I saw my first rainbow!

Rainbow #1 for Ollie!
Starbucks #24 for Ollie! (the third one in Rockford)

a rainbow!

I had to go outside for a better look!

Texas Roadhouse - Rockford, IL

After work we stopped here for a burger and a beer before working at the nearby Starbucks.  It was quite tasty.  In fact, we forgot to even get a picture of the food before we ate it.

very good bread

There's the Shiner Bock, right in the middle

done

The Texas flag

looks like rain's-a-coming

Yeah, definitely on its way

Starbucks - Elgin (Randall Road)

We were here on Mother's Day.  The staff was complaining about their "Happy Hour" coming up where they had some special and got busy - but today was the last day of it.  Anyway, my owner read - Fahrenheit 451.

Starbucks #23 for Ollie!

reclaimed urban wood

Portillo's - Schaumburg

Another Portillo's... it's been awhile!  '50s style for this one.  Ooh, and look, we tried a hot tamale! mmm

Portillo's #11 for Ollie!

hot tamale

Cubs v. Braves

My first baseball game!  The Chicago Cubs v. The Atlanta Braves at Wrigleyfield.  It got cold, and by the end of the game, they were playing inside a cloud.  The Cubs won!

ooh, look at the sunset

notice, we moved seats

After the game, we went to a place called Merkle's:

Dopplerock

Vanilla Porter

fog!

Belmont 'L' stop and Big City Tap

We took the Brown Line up to the Belmont stop.  Walked around a bit and stopped at Big City Tap.  This is the Lake View neighborhood.

Belmont stop

Holy Moses beer

Starbucks in the Dominick's in Ukrainian Village

We bought a coffee as we were walking to the bus stop in Ukrainian Village.  This one is inside the Dominick's grocery store there.

Starbucks #22 for Ollie!

Caribou Coffee - Vernon Hills

After that car accident getting resolved, we had some coffee (and a strawberry-banana smoothie) at Caribou Coffee in Vernon Hills.  I wrote a message on the chalkboard there!

Caribou #5 for Ollie!

Can you see my message?  Just look below