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Some Observations about Online Therapy

Please ask for help if anxiety and stress are getting to be too much to deal with. There are a number of options available, so keep looking for what works for you. With that in mind, we would like to discuss one that we feel is the most accessible, online therapy… CONTINUE READING >> 

Even with the vaccine becoming more available this pandemic has taken a mental toll on many of us. In fact, I think the release of these vaccines might even have made it worse in the short term for some of us.

It seems to me that the “light at the end of the tunnel” effect of knowing there is a vaccine could be adding to our stress levels. After our initial euphoria from the good news of effective vaccinations we encounter the disappointment of learning just how long it may take to get one and that there is still likely quite some time before life will return to something that resembles normal.

In our family, we had one member breakdown quite severely back at the beginning of the pandemic. We all rallied and dealt with it throughout the spring and summer months but now, after weeks of intensive therapy, we are happy to report that things are well under control. Still, it was exceptionally difficult and downright terrifying while it was happening.

To protect privacy I won’t go into too much detail, suffice it to say we were directly involved and had very little experience in how to help in a situation such as this. Luckily we have friends that could help and guide us to the proper treatments and programs.

We now know a whole lot more than we did back then. It was a massive learning experience so we are happy to offer some hopefully helpful guidance from our new found understanding.

First and foremost we learned that you can’t go it alone. Please, please do not be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help if anxiety and stress are getting to be too much to deal with. There are a number of options available, so keep looking for what works for you. With that in mind, right now we would like to discuss one possibility that we feel is perhaps the most accessible, which is online therapy, specifically with BetterHelp.com.

Above and beyond the obvious social distancing value of virtual meeting with a therapist during the ongoing pandemic, there are other advantages. Let’s take a look at a few.

In our mind, the most important benefit is the removal of the stigma that often comes with going to see a therapist. Even though I think we almost all know now days that there is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking mental health help, there is still a level of discomfort or embarrassment that many of us feel when confronted with it.

Understandably, the ability to pursue therapy from the privacy of your own home eliminates most of that uneasiness. Hopefully the familiar and relaxed surroundings serve to increase the comfort level as well, which can only add to the success of the treatment.

It also does away with the time, cost, and stress of having to drive back and forth to and from the appointments. Speaking of appointments, having online access also provides increased communication with the therapist because, in addition to the video chats with the therapist, you can message whenever any issues might arise.

Another good point could be that couples therapy is made more accessible in those instances where both partners can’t be together due to travel, work, or other circumstances. Online counseling can be much more flexible when it comes to meeting these needs.

Still, there are some people who are simply uncomfortable with video therapy. Even though facial expressions, tone of voice, and overall body language are quite apparent with online therapy, it can be that some patients may feel seeing their therapist in person is necessary to make a strong connection. That is certainly understandable.

It can also be challenging for some patients, especially if they are not very tech savvy, to manage video conferencing. In those cases face to face meetings will be more conducive to reaching better outcomes.

But no matter how you seek help when feeling overwhelmed, we cannot reiterate enough the need to find a path that works for you. Help is out there and there truly is a light at the end of the tunnel.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

For more about Betterhelp.com and their programs, please see these previous articles we have shared here on GypsyNester.com:

Anxiety is Almost Unavoidable These Days

Don’t Let the Cost Stop You from Seeking Help

Exploring the Different Types of Therapy

Buying it Right: Tips for Tandem Fishing Kayaks

It’s a great way to experience the outdoors. Fishing has long been a staple of adults worldwide, allowing you the option of feeding you and your loved ones or simply enjoying the mindful and meditative experience of catch and release. And as a couple looking for new ways to explore and enjoy the nature and wildlife around you, kayak fishing is a perfect and exciting fit.

Tandem fishing kayaks offer a committed couple a fantastic way to enjoy this tremendous hobby and passion. Similar to the tandem bicycle, they reward a patient team that’s able to communicate – and they reward it well. Modern tandem kayaks come in many shapes and forms, with different varieties in build and cost providing the prospective buyer with a range of options to suit their funds, travel constraints and transport limitations.

Let’s look at a few points, provided by the team at Wildlife Chase, that will help shape your final buying decision.

Weight

Even single kayaks can be weighty, requiring a strong person to carry and a vehicle to move long distances. Tandem kayaks are, unsurprisingly, heavier than this and will tend to fall within the seventy to one hundred pound range.

It’s important to keep this in mind – and to remember that you’ll usually be lifting up and from the top of a vehicle to place and retrieve it. Because of this, when you’re shopping for a tandem kayak, pay attention to the materials used and the final estimated weight. Different construction materials will lend themselves to a lighter finished product and there are alternatives such as inflatable tandem kayaks that can meet your needs should more mainstream materials not suffice.

Length matters

Couples looking for a lighter tandem fishing kayak will often look towards shorter models to help trim down that total weight amount. This can be problematic for the simple reason that shorter tandems aren’t as stable when in water as longer models. A larger, longer kayak will displace more water when in use, providing it with a more anchored feeling and – in general – smoother handling.

You might also find a shorter model to lead to issues with managing your paddles, as the two seating areas will be closer together. Shorter models also tend towards having less storage space, which can be a critical consideration if you are planning longer trips that may also include camping or storing fish.

Teamwork is critical

You guessed it, tandem fishing kayaks reward a pair of level heads and an ability to communicate in challenging situations. It’s a wonderful experience to glide the waters together and they’re fantastic choices for a pair looking to get into kayak fishing, but it is nevertheless important to be ready to work together closely.

A further key point to keep in mind here is whether the two people in the kayak will have different levels of skills in kayaking. If so, a tandem fishing kayak practised in calmer waters can be a great way to bring the two participants towards common ground and a level of skill where they can operate more efficiently together.

It’s a great way to introduce people to kayaking

Many people are intrigued by the concept of kayaking but are scared to go into the waters in a solo kayak and face the potential of capsizing and losing control of their kayak. It’s an understandable fear that can nevertheless stop a person from entering into a wonderful pastime such as kayak fishing.

A tandem fishing kayak can neatly address this issue by allowing an experienced kayak fisher to bring along a beginner in a calm area. With no pressure from fast-moving water and a relaxing day ahead, training on navigation and fishing while in a kayak can be performed. It’s a great way to ease someone into the hobby should they have any anxieties about going it alone.

Good luck!

Tandem fishing kayaks are an investment worth doing right. With a great kayak behind you and a plan on how to use it, they’re a fantastic way of enjoying the thrill and joy of kayak fishing with another person.

Now that you have an idea on how to choose the perfect kayak, its important to know how to store it properly. Check out some kayak racks for garage.

Twitch Marketing: A Top Trend in 2021

Not heard of Twitch? If your business has a presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and/or TikTok, here’s yet another social media platform you need to add to your marketer’s toolbox… CONTINUE READING >> 

Not heard of Twitch? If your business has a presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and/or TikTok, here’s yet another social media platform you need to add to your marketer’s toolbox.

Amazon bought Twitch – previously a gaming platform – in 2014. Before 2014, console-bound youngsters uploaded live streams for Twitch gaming audiences in order to teach and entertain. Now, every possible how-to and lifestyle tip can be found on this top advertising and influencer network. Google Play statistics show that Twitch Livestream Multiplayer Games & Esports app has been downloaded over 100,000,000 times on Android devices. The App Store preview  – Twitch: Live Game Streaming – provides 1.3 million mostly positive ratings.

For marketers, Twitch is an opportunity to connect with a global over-13 audience. TwitchTracker  tells us that just under 3 million average viewers access the app to watch and interact with over 122,000 channels at any given moment (Feb. 2021). When the platform was first taken over by Amazon, viewers numbered a few hundred thousand. By the end of 2021 (and with a huge lockdown spike), these had nearly reached the 3 million mark. Twitch partners (as opposed to Twitch affiliates – see later) have nearly tripled during this time; channels have multiplied twelve-fold and monthly broadcaster numbers have increased from 1.5 to 6.9 million. If your company isn’t already using Twitch within its marketing capabilities, why on earth not?

The reason why is usually to do with this platform’s gaming reputation. If you’re not selling entertainment software, why bother?

Niche Community

When it comes to Twitch, the keyword is community. You can’t say YouTube users are a community – its users are frighteningly diverse and the equivalent of undifferentiated traffic. The gaming reputation of Twitch – less so now – has made it a close-knit group of individuals. In addition, they can escape many of the sometimes irritating features of larger, more diverse platforms. You won’t find sponsored links on Twitch and you won’t find personalised feed pushes, either. Broadcasting pre-recorded videos are a no-no. That’s why signing contracts with specific influencers is Twitch marketing 101. The community spirit of this platform tends to make followers much more loyal, too.

Twitch demographics are quite niche. Most users are males under 35 years of age. About a quarter of all users watch live sport streams (esports). When you are looking for a way to attract male leads, Twitch offers an ideal opportunity – as long as you sign up worthy influencers. Even so, the ratio of male to female users is narrowing, but most are still in the under-35s age group. Just under a quarter of users are from the US. Other top countries are Germany, Russia, Canada, Brazil, South Korea, and France. This means that for Brexit businesses now unable to trade with overseas locations due to higher shipping costs, this marketing channel is often left undiscovered. Twitch might not have yet caught the full imagination of the UK audience, but even so user numbers are rising steadily. Perhaps Twitch will produce a post-Brexit solution for some local businesses in terms of early-bird influencer contracts.

Social Media Traffic

Website traffic providers are also starting to incorporate Twitch users in their social media packages. While no business can blatantly sponsor links on the platform, influencers can encourage their followers to sign up on website traffic provider domains and broadcast their website ads during streaming breaks.

These massive networks then group Twitch visitors into social media, gaming, music and other specific platform-related niches and forward them on to the companies that order them.

A paid social media traffic package in tandem with the cooperation of multiple influencers will help your brand stand out in terms of brand awareness (advertising), brand loyalty (influencer), SERPs (the more traffic to your site, the higher the search engine ranking), and engagement (correct niche). Unsure of which traffic provider to trust? Go to Web Master Reviews for star-rated breakdowns of the best website traffic for sale providers. Alternatively, tried-and-tested and reputable traffic providers include Web Traffic Experts and Web Traffic Geeks – both offer roughly the same specifications in terms of number of selectable niches, pricing plans, and geolocations and have supplied traffic to businesses across the globe for many years.

Influence, Influence, Influence

Finding the right influencer(s) also requires a third-party service (or a lot of research). Ensure you take advantage of all languages your website is translated into (and, of course, the languages of those countries you trade with). Influencer matching is big business and the best results are found via paid services; however, using your own marketing department to find gamer influencers prepared to talk about your product or brand might be the better  – although not necessarily the cheaper – option. Using sites like Statista, you can find the leading Twitch influencers for different locations around the globe. While the majority are gamers, you will also come across those who focus on music, lifestyle, creativity,  and DIY, for example.

Getting the attention of a fresh audience through your choice(s) of influencer is done through live feeds. Practically every Twitch user interacts through live chats. As a gaming influencer plays, for example, she or he will answer live questions from followers and talk about products they have used (or been asked to use by marketing departments). This means that the advertising skills of the influencer as well as the loyalty or their followers counts. Influencers also run regular ad breaks during streams in order to disable pre-rolls for incoming viewers. If a streamer puts on a 30-second ad, for the next ten minutes new viewers will not have to view an ad before getting access to the stream. A 60-second break disables pre-rolls for 20 minutes; 90 second ads for 30 minutes. Getting a top influencer to show your 90-second, on-trend, exciting and relevant ad might, therefore, not be as hard as you think. Send them something boring, however, and you will probably lose them followers.

Genre should also be taken into account if using gamer influencers, along with audience numbers, daily live activity and viewer sentiment. Furthermore, your type of advertising needs to match influencer style, energy, creativity, and enthusiasm. As with any social media platform, the higher up the top list the influencer, the higher the cost to your marketing department. Contracts can be expensive. Mixing one or two high-flyers with larger numbers of extremely active new streamers with lesser followings might be a more cost-effective alternative. And as these active streamers take off, your brand might be taken with them – ensure longer-term collaboration terms are part of the contract.

Twitch Alternatives and Accounts

Twitch alternatives exist with some coming close to being true competitors but these rarely ban sponsored ads, meaning influencer collaboration – although important – is not crucial. Platforms such as Facebook Gaming, the everlasting YouTube and Smashcast will allow your own pre-recorded advertisements. If you want to take advantage of dedicated Twitch affiliates, you’ll need to let go of the more traditional marketing methods and put your brand in the hands of a gamer, styler, cook, DIYer or other online professional. What is reassuring is that a Twitch affiliate has to do the legwork. They have to broadcast at least 500 minutes spread over 7 or more broadcast days in the last 30 days, with an average of 3 concurrent viewers. Every affiliate must have a minimum of 50 followers. This means proper scheduling, time and dedication from affiliates – something you have to search for on other streaming platforms. One-off broadcasts won’t work on Twitch. Another important piece of information is that new affiliates find it hard to keep up with Twitch regulations unless they have an active social media presence on other networks such as Twitter. Only by advertising their live feeds can they attain that 3 concurrent view average that stops many of the wannabes after the first 30 sign-up days. Find lesser-known influencers with at least 3 months on the Twitch clock and you know they have the sticking power your marketing department must insist upon.

Twitch affiliates are usually working toward becoming Twitch partners, where requirements are not very clear but the higher monetization is attractive. Partners must stream for at least 25 hours over a minimum 12 days per 30 days with an average of 75 concurrent viewers. Twitch then reviews partner applications and are renowned for being very picky. Money is earned through subscriptions and shares in advertising revenue. However, the community seems to feel that partners are big businesses rather than individuals streaming their skills on live TV. You are better off advertising with a few affiliates than with a single Twitch partner.

Add Twitch in 2021

Social media networks should be part of marketing strategies throughout 2021, as should visual media. While Twitch isn’t the go-to streaming platform for the masses, its users do make up massive numbers that US and European businesses focussing on the under 35 years old people should not miss out on. If your customers fit the Twitch niche, it’s high time you started influencing a reliable, dedicated, characterful influencer.

6 Games Insurance Adjusters Play

If you ever file a personal injury claim and opt to pursue it absent of legal representation, you will invariably find yourself dealing directly with claims adjusters. You must prepare well in advance for all the games that they play.

Despite their friendly dispositions, these professionals are always committed to saving their employers money. As such, they will do and say just about anything to get you to settle for less than what your claim is worth. Following are six games that insurance adjusters often play.

1. Pretending to Be Your Friend

During your first few conversations with an insurance adjuster, you will be downright charmed. They are often friendly, seemingly concerned, and eager to express their sympathy for your condition.

Far from being an honest effort at providing good customer service, their good manners early-on are an attempt to put you at ease. When relaxed and feeling as though you are talking with a good friend, you are more likely to say something that might harm your case.

Even casual, off-hand comments like responding to inquiries about how you are doing with “I am fine”, could be used against you. As such, it is always important to keep your guard up and treat every conversation with an adjuster as a legal talk, no matter how friendly the adjuster seems.

2. Putting Time Limits on Settlement Offers

One of the easiest ways for claims adjusters to save insurers money is by getting claimants to accept settlements prematurely. People often receive settlement offers in the very first week following their accidents.

More often than not, this is long before people have had the opportunity to recover. It might be even before they have had the chance to schedule follow-up appointments with their regular doctors or be seen by chiropractors or other medical professionals.

By rushing you into a settlement decision, an adjuster is also putting pressure on your recovery and treatment. Should you require additional medical care or more time away from work, the costs of these things will not be accounted for in your proposition. Even if an early offer sounds good and is available only for a limited time, do not agree to it.

You have the legal right to get all of the treatment you require before discussing a final settlement amount and accepting one. Turning an early offer down does not mean that you will have to settle for less money in the future.

3. Discourage You from Getting an Attorney

Adjusters often discourage claimants from acquiring legal help. Their most common strategy for doing so is by convincing injury victims that the costs of hiring attorneys will diminish their settlement amounts.

When approached with this argument, remember:

    • Attorney fees will not be taken from money that is meant for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Instead, it will be accounted for separately.
    • Hiring an attorney will eliminate the need to have uncomfortable conversations with claims adjusters.
    • Statistically, claimants with legal representation receive significantly higher settlement amounts than injury victims who choose to represent themselves.

Winning a personal injury settlement does not always require you to have an attorney. However, you are virtually assured of getting a larger compensation when you pursue a personal injury claim with one on your team.

4. Requesting That You Sign A Release

Claims adjusters often ask injury victims to sign medical release forms. This trick will give them access to all of your medical records. In other words, you may equip them with evidence for settling right away or arguing against your claim.

Signing a medical records release is ill-advised. You can have your medical records released to yourself and determine which portions are relevant to your case. Share the selected information with the adjuster at your discretion.

5. Asking to Record Conversations

Never agree to have your conversations recorded. Recorded conversations can always be used as evidence against you. If adjusters need additional information, they can collect it without first being granted permission to record.

6. Calling When You’re Under the Influence of Pain Medication

Adjusters know that many claimants are taking prescription pain medications throughout the formative stages of the recovery process. Not surprisingly, this is when they call most frequently.

When you are under the influence of pain medications, you might not have the ability to think clearly, respond thoughtfully, and consider how each of your answers might ultimately impact your settlement outcome.

The good news is that you are never required to answer or return an adjuster’s calls right away. Instead, let adjusters leave detailed messages about why they are calling and then respond at a time that is right for you.

Don’t Play Their Games

Although insurance adjusters are well-versed in highly effective tactics for negotiating lower settlement amounts, there are several things you can do to protect yourself when dealing with them. Most importantly, do not answer calls when you are not ready to take them, and do not be fooled by a charming demeanor.

To optimize your chances of winning and getting fair compensation for your losses, you should also consider hiring a reputable attorney.

The Beauty Of Cruising To Alaska

Do you know cruising is the best way to visit Alaska? Here are the reasons why you should!

Alaska, no doubt is one of the beautiful states of the USA. The magical state is rightfully nicknamed ‘The Land of the Midnight Sun’. It has a low population of one person for every square mile. That allows you to get out and explore many territories! It is the best place to get lost and find yourself if you are looking for a self-exploring journey. Truly, what other places to go than Alaska, where the sky performs a magical light show. Aurora Borealis (northern lights) can be seen an average of 243 days a year in Fairbanks. Alaska has 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the USA. There are so many natural beauties in Alaska to talk about, and still will not be enough to do it justice. And don’t forget about the diversity of Alaska.

It is home to over 224 Native American tribes and has over 20 indigenous languages. Traveling to Alaska is nothing short of a thrill, a beautiful journey under the memorable midnight sun. But what is the best way to visit Alaska? Well of course what better way to reach Alaska and its glacier than a cruise! Cruising itself is a vacation of its own and taking a cruise to go to the land of the midnight sun is the adventure you read about in the stories. It is a double holiday! Now cruising itself may seem like an expensive vacation however it is one of the cheapest ways to reach Alaska. The best time to cruise to Alaska is between May to September, so you have to plan it accordingly.

1. Alaska Cruises are Affordable

It is the most economical approach to see a great deal of Alaska in a short period. At this moment, a 9-day Norwegian Sawyer Glacier Cruise with a 1-night stay in Seattle runs $999 per individual in June. While in comparison, a ferry ticket for 1 individual at $500 per individual round trip from Bellingham to Ketchikan (and that is winter rates) or an Alaska Airlines from Seattle to Ketchikan in June at $404 full circle. Hence you begin to realize the convenience of the voyage which includes convenience, dinners, and transport. If you are arranging your first outing to Alaska and have about fourteen days for travel, What can be the best way to see the state other than the Alaska Cruise. Alaska cruise is a great way to see most of the state and the fun things you can do once it ends because cruising will also give you an overview of where things are.

2. A Great Way To Explore the Inside Passages

The Inside Passages of Alaska has thousands of islands and rainforest shorelines that would be impossible to get access by road. The ship cruises through them easily and lets you enjoy the wonders of Alaskan nature. You can slide past mountains rising from the sea, the closest you can get. Otherwise, getting to mountains and glaciers by boat is an added cost. The cruise is one ticket to all wonders! Glacier Bay is one of the hardest places to visit, cruises make it easier to go there. The trip has at least two stops at glaciers.

3. Get to Know Alaska and Its History

All through the voyage, there is a naturalist on board who points out the wildlife around the boat. You can watch whales right from your balcony! You do not have to be at the spot, you can listen to them while relaxing, walking, or getting ready for bed as it is televised in your room. So in case you want to watch something, it is easier for you to get out onto your gallery and spot some amazing sights. You can enjoy everything from the comforts of your cabin.

4. Off-shore excursions

You can enjoy the best of both land and water. Many may think that cruising will not allow for fun activities like zip-lining through forests, fishing, hiking, dog sledding, gold panning, kayaking, bear tours, etc. but cruises have opportunities for all of that. You can fix your timings accordingly with the cruise tour manager, and you are all set to go. Many cruises even have shore activities as part of their tour. So not only you can see the rarest glaciers and mountains rising from the sea but also get to explore the wildlife through thrilling experiences and daring activities.

5. Treating Your Taste Buds

Alaskan cruises offer a wide range of authentic Alaskan cuisines. Starting from their famous Salmon to game meats, you can indulge in crabs like Dungeness and King crab. There are special buffets just around crabs with dishes ranging from crab cakes to bisque and crab in clarified butter. They serve their cuisines in every possible way, and you best believe it will be one of the best culinary adventures. And of course who can forget their Alaskan wild blueberries in a myriad of ways like pies, parfaits, cakes, and cobblers.

Conclusion

It is extremely unlikely that you could see as much in a short amount of time if you travel by car and seaplanes. The ship always sails overnight, so you leave one spot at night and awake in another spot ready to embark off the ship and head to the planned adventure of the day. Alaska cruises are fun and feel spontaneous. It is not only affordable both economically and timewise, but also convenient as it lets you experience activities you never could otherwise like walking in glaciers and being able to see whales from your balconies. So what are you waiting for? Book an Alaskan Cruise!

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

7 Excellent Ways to See Chicago

Chicago has unique and classic architecture, long stretches of lakefront, enormous parks, astonishing public arts, some of the most iconic buildings in the world, and all the hustle and bustle you’d expect from the third largest city in the country…. CONTINUE READING >> 

Everyone wants to see the sights of New York City, the sounds of Nashville, the architecture of New Orleans, and the natural beauty of San Diego. There’s a city in the middle of the U.S., though, that combines all these things in one: Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago has unique and classic architecture, long stretches of lakefront, enormous parks, astonishing public arts, some of the most iconic buildings in the world, and all the hustle and bustle you’d expect from the third largest city in the country. As a visitor, you want to see as much of Chicago as you can while you are there. Below, we’re going to break down some of the best ways to see it. Here are seven excellent ways to see Chicago.

1. Rooftop bar

Of course, you want to see all that Chicago has to offer while you are there, but you also want to relax, have a drink, and maybe eat a nice meal. Why not do both at one of Chicago’s many rooftop bars? These bars give you an incredible view of the city down below with the added bonus of providing a cocktail, glass of wine, or a cold beer while taking in the city below.

You can sip on one of Cindy’s famous Old Fashioned cocktails at the top of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel while overlooking Millennium Park and the stunning Lake Michigan. North of Navy Pier you’ll find another hotel rooftop bar, J Parker, that provides great views of Lincoln Park. These are just two of the many rooftop bars you can find in the White City. To see more, Party Slate has a solid guide to Chicago’s best rooftops.

2. Boat tour

The city of Chicago sits on the banks of Lake Michigan and has the mighty Chicago River that runs right through the middle of the city. All this water makes seeing the city by boat a very cool and unique option. Because of the way the water is intertwined with the city landscape, you can take a boat tour that will show you both the natural and man-made beauty of this place.

An architectural boat tour runs up the Chicago River and shows you some of the buildings the town is famous for. At the end of the river, you’ll float into a lock and be taken into Lake Michigan to see the shoreline in all its glory.

3. Bike the lakefront trail

The Chicago Lakefront Trail (LFT) is 18.5 miles long and stretches from Osterman Beach in the north down to South Shore Park. The trail passes by Chicago’s four major lakefront parks and multiple beaches. In the summer, the trail can be walked, biked, skateboarded, and more by upwards of 70,000 people.

On a bicycle, which you can rent on the trail, you can easily see the entire trail on a single day. In addition to the beaches and parks, the LFT also takes you by some of Chicago’s top attractions. This includes Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the home of the Chicago Bears, Soldier Field.

4. Take the El

Taking public transit isn’t always a great way to see a big city. Often it just results in seeing drab, underground subway stations. In Chicago, though, the El or just the L – short for elevated train – is both a cheap and efficient way to get around as well as a perfect way to see the sites of the city.

The transit system, third-largest and second oldest in the U.S., runs 24-hours a day and will take you all around the city including out to both of Chicago’s airports. Taking a ride around the 1.79-mile area known as The Loop enables you to see some of the best of downtown Chicago.

5. Walk the 606

A few miles in from the LFT, another trail runs perpendicular to the lake. The 606 or the Bloomingdale Trail is an elevated trail that repurposed the old Bloomingdale train line into a 2.7-mile elevated walking trail.

The trail cuts through some of Chicago’s hippest neighborhoods such as Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, and Humboldt Park. There are several parks at street-level below the walkway and you can also check out public art, architecture, scenic lookouts, and Exelon Observatory, one of the best spots in the city to watch the sun rise or set.

6. Take a helicopter tour

If the rooftop bars in Chicago don’t give you enough of a bird’s eye view, you can get an even better vantage point on a Chicago helicopter tour. These tours run multiple times a day from several helipads throughout the city. You can do one of their stock tours around the Northside, Southside, or downtown Chicago, or book a customized one.

You can fly around Chicago during the day and see the whole city and the lake or fly at night and see the incredible lights of the city as the contrast with the lake’s inky blackness. Some of the best sites to see while flying include Soldier and Wrigley Fields, Millennium and Lincoln Parks, Sears Tower, John Hancock Building, Navy Pier, and Montrose Beach.

7. Head to the top of the Willis (aka Sears) Tower or the Hancock

The Second City has several incredibly tall buildings but two stand out and have great observation decks from which the public can see vast stretches of the city. The John Hancock Building at 875 North Michigan Avenue is currently the 13th tallest building in the U.S. but when it was constructed in the 1960s, it was the tallest in the world and the first building outside of New York City to rise to over 1,000-feet.

The Hancock was surpassed as the tallest building in Chicago, and the world, in 1974 by Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower). At 1,451 feet, this was the tallest building in the world from 1974 to 1988 and is still the tallest in Chicago to this day. The tower has a Skydeck at 1,353-feet which includes a 4.3-foot, glass-bottomed box known as “the Ledge,” for the adventurous to step out and seemingly float over the city below.

Conclusion

Chicago has so many sights to see, it can be hard fitting them all in. The best ways to see a ton of the city at once are with one of the methods above. Whether you’re walking, biking, riding, flying, or taking an elevator up, you can’t go wrong looking at Chicago in one of these special and unique ways.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Five Fun Stay at Home Date Night Ideas

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, here is a handful of ideas on how to make a romantic date night without ever leaving the comfort of your own home…
CONTINUE READING >> 

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, here is a handful of ideas on how to make a romantic date night without ever leaving the comfort of your own home.

Of course, these days it is also a good idea because you can keep your social distance from everyone… well everyone except that special someone.

1. Go “out” to a fancy restaurant right at home.

There are two ways that could accomplish this, the hard way and the easy way. If you know how to pull it off, then by all means whip up a gourmet meal in your own kitchen. Sometimes the culinary creativity is a big part of the fun. Otherwise, we would suggest ordering out and have a service like Doordash or Uber deliver your five star extravaganza right to your door.

While it is on it’s on the way, set a candlelit table for two complete with linen and fine china. Get dressed up for the occasion to make it feel really special and don’t forget the wine and some chocolates to top it all off.

2. Make it a casino night

We have always enjoyed an evening out at a casino, so why not bring that excitement right in to your own living room? It is easy to choose the perfect play from the large variety of online casinos at Casinofy.

Decorations such as cards, chips, or dice can help set the mood. Then put out some snacks and drinks, and add a little background music like Frank Sinatra, and you might just feel like you are in a movie.

3. Speaking of movies…

Sure, everyone has movie nights all of the time, but what if we made it special? Depending on where you live, it could be an outdoor movie night under the stars or maybe try a “drive- in” in your driveway.

In the colder climates try a portable movie on your laptop or iPad by the fireplace. A little hot toddy or cocoa will help to make the night very warm and snuggly.  Don’t forget the marshmallows.

4. Try a cooking class

Food is very sensual and cooking together can really bring that out.

There are tons of online cooking classes that you can try together.

We have found in our nearly forty years together, that learning something new with your sweetheart is one of the best ways to keep the relationship fresh and vibrant.

Plus, at the end of the class you have a great meal ready and waiting.

5. Have a bed picnic

Staying under the covers just might be the best thing for a cold winter night. Get some games or just watch TV and once again we would suggest ordering out because there’s no way to cook without leaving the bed. Even if it’s just a pizza and a bottle of wine it will feel like something fun and out of the ordinary.

So there are our five ideas. We would certainly love to hear any other stay at home date night plans any of you might have. Just leave them in the comments below and have a happy Valentine’s Day, or any other night you want to make seem special without ever leaving the house.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

We’d love to hear your ideas for a fun night “out” without ever leaving home. Just drop us a note in the comments below.

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