Recently I visited Endulge Day Spa in Gurnee. Upon opening the doors I was greeted by the relaxing aroma of incense and lightly scented candles. The employees were all very helpful and eager to wait on me. I browsed around at the shop where clothing, jewelry, make-up, and other beauty and skin care items are sold. I then checked in and allowed the pampering to begin.
I was escorted to a luxurious changing room where I was given a robe and sandals to change into. I was told to use the steam showers if I desired and for as long as I wished. I was given a locker with a combination of my choice and informed that all the products located on the counter I should help myself to (hairspray, lotions, brush, etc.). The friendly employee offered me tea which she would have waiting for me outside of the changing room.
Once I was in my robe with sandals on I headed outside to the waiting area. My hot tea was prepared and I sat and listened to the soft and soothing music. The lights were dimmed just so to create a very inviting yet relaxing environment. The colors and décor of the room were perfect to create a very calming feel and magazines were at my finger tips. I was asked if there was anything else they could get me and ensured me my wait would not be long.
Soon after Kelly came to get me and began my facial. Kelly made me feel very comfortable and made great conversation. She explained to me each step of the process and was very soft and delicate as she rejuvenated my face. Again, soothing music played in the background and the scents of the products being used were not overwhelming but very gentle to the nose. We finished up with the facial which lasted about 35-40 minutes and I was sent back to get dressed while my pedicure bath was drawn.

I took my time getting changed and presentable. I met Kelly in the pedicure area with my tea reheated and candles lit. The room where pedicures are given is simply gorgeous. The feet soaking tubs and area where you sit are made out of tiny beautiful tiles and again the paint and accessories are very tastefully combined. I was asked if they could get me anything and then it was time to treat my feet to some pampering. Kelly was great and made me feel like a queen!

I had a wonderful experience at Endulge and have already told co-workers and friends about the wonderful amenities at the Spa. I am looking into trying some of the other services offered such as a massage or maybe even treating my husband to one of the special packages they offer just for men. I truly loved everything that the Spa had to offer, great atmosphere, friendly employees and the wonderful pampering. Don’t be afraid to Endulge, for it is well worth it!

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On a sunny afternoon last week, my brother and I took a stroll over to Six Flags' Great America for some amusement park entertainment. I hadn't been to the park since 2007, and I had decided that it was high time for me to satisfy my roller coaster craving. After breezing through the gate, we headed towards the grey, seven-story building to the east to check out The Dark Knight.
I had never been on an indoor roller coaster, and was curious to see what the ride was all about. After moving through an initial queue, we found ourselves in a media room, where a large video screen showed the mayor of Gotham City issuing a statement regarding the city's crime rate, and how the problem would be solved without the help of Batman. The picture began to jump and strange images appeared, and it became apparent that the newsreel had been hijacked by The Joker. We passed through a corridor and were greeted at a turn by ourselves, that is, we came face-to-face with a "living mirror" that showed us watching ourselves in real-time on a reflection in the wall. As riders waved and twisted to see the mirror mimic their movements, The Joker's head appeared, bobbing and jiggling, on the reflection in place of their own.
Ascending to a dilapidated train station, we hopped onto a four-person cart and sped off into the darkness. Bizarre movements and visuals flashed through my line of sight as we were whipped side-to-side through hairpin turns, entering and emerging from darkness as we climbed up and dropped down hills. At the end of the ride, we staggered back out into the daylight and regained our sense, and the warm weather led us instinctively in the direction of Hurricane Harbor.

We passed the giant blue and yellow funnel, where kids on tubes screamed and splashed their way down from the top of the cone to the pool below. It seemed that a siesta was in order, and I could think of no better place to take one than on the Harbor's river. Within minutes I was lounging on an innertube under a blue sky, floating through waterfalls past giant, water-shooting heads that looked like they were visiting the park on vacation from Easter Island.

After drying off, it was time to stroll the park some more to take in the sights and sounds. Riders on the Giant Drop plummeted breathlessly to the ground only to regain their composure upon stopping. After circling around and soaking up the festivities, the park was nearing closing time, and we decided to take in one more coaster. Our ride of choice turned out to be the Raging Bull, and we stood in line beneath the giant loops as cheering thrill-seekers passed us upside-down overhead. Before we knew it it was our turn to "challenge the Bull", and anticipation mounted as we strapped in and began climbing the giant hill that begins the ride. Soon we were floating weightlessly through loops and turns, as riders on our train screamed and made faces for the camera. The ride came to an end and we made our way out of the park, and I reflected with pleasure while exiting that after 20-plus years of riding roller coasters, they still packed the same thrill for me that they did during my childhood.

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My family and I visited the brand new KeyLime Cove Water Resort in Gurnee, last weekend. When we arrived I noticed the tropical surroundings and all the bright vibrant colors of the hotel. The lobby had stores that you would find on a beach board walk. Everyone was very friendly and helpful and I think everyone greeted us when we arrived. We checked into our room which had two queen beds and a pull out couch. The room was very cheerful with the bright colors. Our parents put an allowance on our arm bands for my sister and I to spend at the hotel. We went down to the arcade, which has a large selection of games to play. My sister and I loved the “Deal or No Deal” game. On our first try together we won the jackpot of 200 tickets and has so much fun we found ourselves coming back to play over and over. We also really enjoyed playing ski ball. We traded in our tickets we won for prizes and candy.

My family had dinner at the Crazy Toucan. My sister and I ordered nachos and kiddy cocktails to start. Our nachos were gigantic but we managed to put a good dent in them. We also ordered burgers but when they arrived we were so full from the nachos, we had to take it back to the room with us. That night we had dessert at D.W. Anderson Eatery and Ice Cream Parlor. Little did we know the portions of their ice cream were huge too. The sundaes were bigger than I have ever seen, and there is even an ice cream dish that is served in a kitchen sink. I’m so glad I didn’t order one because I probably wouldn’t be able to swim in the water park. The next morning we ate at D.W. Anderson’s for breakfast. They had a buffet with eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast sticks, muffins, fruit, waffles, cereal and more.

Their water park is pretty big. My sister and I headed straight for the wave pool. We jumped in the waves for a few minutes then we went over to the lazy river and pretended we were being chased by sharks; it was a lot of fun. They have several slides that you can go down, I was a little nervous at first but I tried them all. The first one I went on with my sister was the green tube slide. It was so much fun! Then I went on the blue body slide, it was dark and fun. My dad went on the Tornado and said it was super fun, so I decided to go on that one with my dad. We went around and around several times before getting spin into a hole and down a slide. My sister, dad and I then went to play water basketball and water volleyball. I tried the red body slide next; this one was even more exciting because you did not know where you would be going it was so dark. All of this swimming really made us hungry, so we got a Chicago style hot dog and it was the best one I ever had. After our snack my sister and I went to Toukie’s Big Deluge, it has mini water slides and a giant pineapple dump bucket. We got dumped on three times, two of them we were surprised. Our weekend had come to end and I said goodbye to a tropical resort that is so close to home. I had a great time at KeyLime Cove!

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For Memorial Day weekend my friends and I decided to go and spend some time cruising on the Chain O’lakes. This is one of my favorite things to do when the weather is nice. I love it because there is always something to do. My grandparents live on a channel right off of Pistakee Lake so all of the hotspots aren’t too far of a ride.

One of my favorite places to go for lunch is Captains Quarters. It is a restaurant/bar located right off of Fox Lake. They also have a boat launch which is very convenient. They always have music playing, and it has a fun tropical feel to it. It makes me feel like I am at a restaurant somewhere in the Florida Keys. They have really good wraps and great smoothies to cool you down after a hot day on the boat. It really gets hopping on Friday and Saturday nights. Every Friday night they have Karaoke, and every Saturday night they have live music.

Another place I like to visit is Blarney’s Island. It is on Grass Lake. The only way to get there is by boat, but this place also makes you feel like you are somewhere tropical. They call themselves “the Key West of the Midwest.” If you don’t have a boat they offer shuttle services to and from the island.

Aside from going to all of the different restaurants that the Chain O’lakes has to offer, I really enjoy just lying out on the boat and relaxing. It is the perfect place to unwind after a long week. Everyone who goes out on the chain is always in a good mood and is so friendly. I am definitely looking forward to more nice days to spend on the Chain O’lakes this summer.

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