Moving Maurie the TB

Last week I picked up a TB (travel bug) named "Superdawg Maurie" at a geocaching event.  According to Maurie's TB page  My mission is to travel the US (and abroad) from cache to cache, visiting your FAVORITE Hot Dog Joynts. Please take a picture of me in front of the sign or in the restaurant. PLEASE don't keep me - my secondary goal is to meet up again someday with my longtime love & partner, Flaurie!!


Superdawg is a world famous hot dog stand in Chicago.  I grew up not far from Superdawg and have eaten there more times than I can count or care to admit.  They have GREAT hot dogs.   Maurie and Flaurie were the original owners, so somebody made a pair of TB's out of their official softee figures in their honor.  Cute idea, huh?  Here's what the Maurie and Flaurie TB's look like....

In keeping with the mission of Maurie, we took him to Paradise Pup in Des Plaines, IL.  Paradise Pup has great hot dogs, and was actually featured on the Food Network TV show "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives."

And since we were so close to the original McDonald's, also in Des Plaines, we stopped by for a photo there as well.  I know they don't sell sell hot dogs, but hey,  it's the original McDonalds.  There is also a multi stage geocache there, but we've already done it.  GCR2YT

We have several geocaching events coming up in the next few weeks, so Maurie will be passed along some time soon.

Caching, Lake Michigan and Hot Dogs

Look at the title of my post and what's not to love?  It's a gorgeous day here in Chicago - deep blue skies, a stiff breeze and temperatures hovering around 60.  We had to meet a client who lived near the lake this morning, so I grabbed my caching bag as we breezed out the door, hoping   insisting, that we hit the lake front for some caching afterwards.

I love unusual or big art, and the first place we stopped provided plenty of interesting things to look at.  This was at the park entrance.

I don't understand the big pencil, but it sure was different.

I don't know if these were cement benches or a breakwater wall, but I loved how they were painted.

We had to walk out to the end of this pier....

And find the cache on this search light.....

The views of downtown Chicago were wonderful....

The next cache was hidden on this sailboat...

I would love to own this house overlooking the lake.  What a view!

Hey, is there a cache hidden in here???

Lou finally spotted this nicely hidden cache.  You can't see it in this picture, but I promise you it's there...

This was a great beach because we found some sea glass and a really pretty rock.

As we were headed for home, we spotted a street vendor selling hot dogs.  There is just something really yummy about a Chicago style hot dog with a steamed bun, so of course we had to stop.

If you are ever in Chicago, you HAVE to get a Chicago style hot dog.  They are the best!  I know I cheat and put ketchup on my dog, but then, I put ketchup on a lot of stuff.  You can read all about the history of Chicago style hot dogs here   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago-style_hot_dog
Be sure to get them with a dash of celery salt - it just adds a little something extra. 

One of my favorite hot dogs are at Gene & Judes in River Grove, IL.  I actually like the fries better than the hot dog.  They are nice and greasy and they dump them right on top of the hot dog.  Read about them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_%26_Jude's

Another favorite of mine is Superdawg in Chicago.  I have been going there since I was a kid.  The top of their building sports 2 giant hot dogs and people from all over the world have taken a picture of them.
http://www.superdawg.com/    They have 1950's style car hop service there and it's just a fun place to visit.

Who has a taste for hot dogs tonight?