These are the places we've gone to, eaten, shopped at, or otherwise have found worth mentioning.
 | Galena Galena is one of the first places we went and took pictures. We drove there, and did some biking up and down a trail along the mighty Mississip. While there, we took in the Fulton Windmill, the downtown of Galena, and a lovely ski hill. It was summer, which meant great biking, but lousy skiing. No one was there, and we were able to stand atop the hill and look upon what Mark Twain made famous. We also attended church in a tiny rural church with only 40 people or so. It was on Mother's Day, and every woman (even non-mothers) took home a single long-stemmed rose. Aliz showed Tony she was a true biker by outlasting him. more pictures |
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Paprikásh Restaurant This is the only Hungarian restaurant in Chicagoland. It is a bit of a drive, but it is worth the trip. We've been almost evangelistic about the place to our friends, dragging whomever we can. So far, we've brought Tony's brother and his wife, Tony's dad and his friend, and four or five friends. more pictures |
 | The
Hancock What can we say about this good friend? It helped bring us together back in 2000 as our first 'real' date, and it served as the locale of our engagement. From 95 or 96 stories up, there's a lot of Chicago to see, and the sunset as seen from the west window is the kind that aches of great romance. more pictures |
 | The
Two Street Coffeehouse It doesn't look like much, and it isn't, but they had a special concert on February 4, 2000 that filled up a small church. It was Weavermania, a band which covers the songs made famous by the American folk singers, the Weavers. Tony and Aliz went there when they first met. Tony is a fan of American folk music, and presumed wrongly that Aliz had never heard of most of the songs. Instead, she was singing along to songs like "Good Night Irene" and "This Land Is Your Land." more pictures |
 | Chef
Paul's Bavarian Lodge Restaurant After the concert, Tony took Aliz out to this German restaurant. He didn't know about Paprikash yet, and this was the closest thing he could find. The food is decent, the beer is abundant, and the memories are priceless. more pictures |
 | Washington
DC This was the site of my brother Tom's wedding, but it was also a pretty cool time together. Everything about the wedding was incredible, as every detail with considered and handled with excellence. It created a backdrop to a mini vacation as well, as we saw the famous sites of DC, especially those around the White House and Lincoln Memorial. more pictures |
 | Bende As it is the only grocer in Chicagoland selling Eastern European foods, the trip to Vernon Hills isn't so bad. Luckily, they are opening a store in nearby Glen Ellyn. |
Galena,
Ill.
Paprikásh
Restaurant
The
Hancock
Building
The
Two Street Coffeehouse
Chef
Paul's Bavarian Lodge Restaurant
Weavermania
City
of Fulton
Washington
DC Convention and Visitors Association
Bende,
Inc.