Are We There Yet?

You want to know what the worst thing about Chicago winter is? It isn't the slush, the frigid temps or the gray skies. It is the fact that everywhere you drive within a 5 hour radius has the same damn weather! There is no escape. Flights are often delayed due to inclement conditions, making travel a stressful bust. Road conditions are treacherous from layers of ice, snow and salt making the drive somewhat comparable to navigating a fishing boat on the Bering Sea. The solution? I can be all optimistic here and make a point about how snow is rather lovely and who doesn't love warm sweaters. But I won't. All you can really do is wait it out, and dream of warm weather to come.

So what am I dreaming of, you ask? Let me show you...

Picnics at Ravinia Music Festival. (And yes, bug spray)

Walking around Rome wearing a Panama hat to shield my eyes from the hot July sun.

Flying Lufthansa because saying Lufthansa is just as much fun as getting a warm towel upon boarding the plane.

Camping at Apple River Canyon in northwest Illinois.

Watermelon dripping down your chin

Being creeps and walking through old, beautiful, spooky cemeteries.

Eating a cheeseburger about three times a week with mayo and extra pickles. And Bacon.

Drinking a delicious Salty Dog minus the salt.

Gold Sperry Topsiders. Cuz I like a little flash on my feet.

Camping at Rock Island, WI (for further info pls review the power point I sent out to everyone)

4th Anniversary in Eagle River! Because nothing says love like a Blue Gill fry and some
Spotted Cow.

Reading on the beach. I will finish you, Wind Up Bird Chronicles. I will.

Alaska in June. Though I have never been, I am anticipating our trip will be a lot like this bear you see here.

Gelato while combing the streets of Rome, in my Panama hat, trying to get lost but realizing I know it all too well.

Hot Dogs. With like a million toppings and cooked on the grill.

The Cinque Terre. 'Nuff said.

My beautiful Roma. I will see you soon bb.

Oh yeah, and riding bikes with sharks. Duh.