(6:00 AM) Sneaking under a fence, I scrambled into a wildflower-filled, still-under-construction park SouthEast of downtown Chicago. Wandering up the color-speckled hills, I felt as if I was sneaking up on a sleeping city.
SOUTH WINDSOR, CT
(6:00 AM) So I have a brand new nephew named Charlie - he's amazing. I woke up early the day I was due to fly back to Chicago and got to spend some quiet snoozing time with him. He sleeps so peaceful it makes me jealous. I nuzzled up as close I could manage and simply listened to him breathe. I burned this image into my memory banks.
LURIE GARDEN
(5:30 AM) I had gardens on my mind. Specifically the post-winter barren garden at the IDEO Chicago office. I decided to go for a stroll through one of the finest gardens this city (and this country) has to offer for some inspiration. No one, and I mean no one, was there. It was magical. Birds were chirping and rabbits were scurrying. I was inspired by the amazing collection of perennials - the highlight being the vibrant swale of Salvia and the mysterious pink flower known as Prairie Smoke.
NAPA VALLEY
(5:00 AM) On the morning of my birthday, I snuck through the fences of a neighboring vineyard in Napa, CA and took a stroll through rows and rows of blossoming grapevines. I would love to say that every time I take one of these jaunts I feel wonderful, but to be honest, it was a rough morning. I remember the smell of rich soil. I also remember feeling a little better afterwards.
MY LIVING ROOM
(6:15 AM) February is cold in Chicago. After years in the city, I've come to identify this bone-chilling weather by a couple visual cues - thin wispy steam rising from chimneys across the skyline AND the horizontal direction of the previously mentioned steam. Both were visible this morning. Luckily I was warm in my living room. Holding a cup of coffee and contemplating the day ahead. I don't recall my plans exactly but I likely started with climbing back into my warm bed.
VENICE BEACH
(5:30 AM) My colleagues and I had traveled to LA to pitch a potential client. We had arrived late the night before and the meeting was quite early this morning. To get my head right AND soak in a little West Coast wonder, I took a walk down the beach as the sun rose. Not surprisingly, I passed a few of my teammates along the way.
41st STREET BREAKERS
(5:00 AM) I couldn't sleep. Too much on my mind with a big work week on deck. I jumped in my car to reach the Southside lakeshore before sunrise. As I pulled into a sleepy parking lot, there was a thick, slightly ominous fog rolling from land to the lake. I sat on the concrete breakers and watched as the white fluff tumbled down concrete steps and spilled into the waters of Lake Michigan.
LONDON
(5:00 AM) Long no-destination-required walks throughout London were my solution to heavy jet lag. Over the course of a 5 day trip, I found myself wandering across the Millennium Bridge quite often - loving the views of the Tate and St. Paul's as I crossed the Thames. The final morning of my trip I decided to sit down in the middle of the bridge, letting bikers and runners pass by, mesmerized by the stunning cathedral backdropped by cool grey clouds.
KENNEBUNKPORT, ME
(6:30 AM) Over a beautiful Fall weekend, IDEO Design Directors from Chicago, Boston, and NY offices gathered for a retreat in beautiful Kennebunkport. I had never visited Maine so I took advantage of early mornings by taking long walks on the shorelines while observing fishing boats slowly making their way out to sea.
FULTON MARKET
(7:15 PM) I grew up climbing anything around me - don’t know why exactly but I think it had something to do with finding new perspectives. Ladders, walls, and especially trees. During a early evening walk through my neighborhood, I noticed tall signaling structures over the Metra rail tracks. They were begging to be climbed. They provided unique views but honestly I was a little scared when the deceivingly large trains passed below.
LAKE TAHOE
(5:45 AM) Early morning coffee became a thing for me during my late summer trip to Tahoe. My residence for the week, a treehouse suspended amongst majestic redwoods, offered stunning views of the Eastern horizon.
PORT TOWNSEND, WA
(5:45 AM) Each summer, I go on a camping trip with cousins somewhere in Washington state. This trip, we spent 4 event filled days at Fort Worden State Park on the sound. Each morning I snuck away to wander the beach collecting sea glass and amazingly colored, ocean polished stones.
