As the weather warmed over the weekend, Evanston’s lakefront drew community members together at dawn.
Among many consistent runners, bikers and dog-walkers, some community members spend their time in less traditional ways.
Erika Anderson, a photographer who teaches classes in Chicago, said she woke up at 6 a.m. on Saturday to watch the sunrise over Lake Michigan, which she said faded into a stunning pink gradient.
“The sun came up over the horizon like a bright pink ball,” Anderson said. “It was gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous.”
She carried two cameras with different lenses to capture shots of the sun rising as well as smaller details like swans in the lake, which Anderson explained require a wider aperture.
She added she has walked by the lake in the early mornings since the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid crowds, but what originated as a preventive measure has now become an important part of her routine.
“It became a habit, and I met some friends that way and we’re still good friends,” Anderson said.
She added she planned to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Evanston’s Sauna Club near the lakeshore.
The club was founded by Evanston resident Ryan Cohler in his backyard. Cohler later managed to set up a portable wood-fired sauna at Lee Street Beach, which attracts community members for both public and private sessions.
For Chicago resident Kathleen Soler, who celebrated both her friend’s birthday and Valentine’s Day over the weekend, the sauna has become a staple during the winter months.
“We all like to come here now and then when it’s cold,” Soler said.
Matthew Tiran, a senior at Loyola University Chicago, woke up at 6 a.m. on Saturday to photograph the lakefill for a class project. Tiran said the goal was to create a compelling message through pictures.
“I was picturing the vibe between nature and humans, like a plant growing out of snow or a single footprint,” Tiran said.
For some, the lakefront is spiritually meaningful.
Evanston resident Dennis McGuire gets up at 5:30 a.m. each morning before heading to the lake to practice Qi-gong by the rocks.
Qi-gong is an ancient Chinese practice that involves movement and meditation to find balance and harmony with the natural world by cultivating Qi, or energy, through the body, McGuire explained. He said practicing Qi-gong outdoors aids relaxation.
“The lake, to me, is a spiritual experience,” McGuire said. “There’s so much energy here — this is a goddess.”
Email: [email protected]
Related Stories:
— Evanston is for lovers: 14 local businesses offer Valentine’s Day specials and events
— UNICEF Northwestern hosts first 5k race on the Lakefill
— Evanston runners chase miles and community on early-dawn lakefront runs
