Whew! If you were wondering why I haven't blogged (and I'm SURE you were) it's because I haven't been in one place long enough to pound one of these out!
The past 6 months have been a whirlwind of travel - in the words of Hank Snow, "I've been everywhere, man!" My pillow and I have traversed the globe, and while we have had a merry old time, we. are. tired.
Let's make like Carmen Sandiego and review where in the world I've been!
Last spring, I was lucky enough to take the trip of a lifetime with my sister and some of my best friends to Europe. It was my second time "across the pond", and this trip definitely left me wanting to see more! (It also left me wanting crushed ice. And American tasting pizza.).
Our original itinerary was to travel to Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. We ended up visiting Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. (Plus a bonus pit-stop in Luxembourg, which is about half the size of Indianapolis). I've got to say, while originally bummed about missing Italy, the time we spent in Austria more than made up for any disappointment. The country is truly beautiful.
The highlights of this trip are so many I can't possibly name (or remember!) them all, but I'll hit my favorites below:
1. Traveling through Bavaria, which is so impossibly quaint and picturesque that I felt like I was on a movie set...
2. Sharing the "penthouse" with Jen in our Swiss chalet nestled in the Alps. (Least favorite moment - hauling my suitcase up 4 flights of stairs. Then down one. Then back up. My arms still hurt).
3. Tracking down the German equivalent of chicken fingers and fries in an outdoor market in Munich - angels sang, I was so happy.
4. Learning the mysterious story of King Ludwig's death - and his borderline obsession with swans. Why no one has made a movie about this guy, I don't know! I picture Johnny Depp as Ludwig, and Jude Law as his "personal doctor". (Who coincidentally, was found dead with Ludwig floating in a pond....intriguing, no?)
5. Sitting outside at a cafe in Germany with Jen, Ali, and Susi and eating maybe the best meal I've ever had, while snuggled under the blankets they put on every chair. Why don't all outdoor restaurants do this?
6. Listening to live polka at THE Haufbrau Haus in Munich. And watching Liz get propositioned by a local German politician. He was a smitten kitten.
Europe itself was amazing; the fact that I got to do it with some of my favorite people in the world made it absolutely incredible. The icing on the cake? Our hot Czech bus driver, Roman.
Got back from Europe, and spent the next two months in a sleep-deprived blur known as "season" at the 500 Festival. Training series, mini-marathons, Kids' Day, Rookie Runs, parades, Snakepit balls, study trips, Community Days, princess receptions - I know I went to all of them. And I know I provided volunteers.
I rewarded all of my hard work with a great 2-night, 3-day stay at the IU Health Tipton County Hospital! Three cheers for kidney stones. I'll spare you the details of this sojourn; suffice to say, it was miserable. However - the nurses and doctors at the hospital ROCKED. And, I lost 10 lbs, which was fun. And then I got better and ate my way through the rest of the summer. Which was even more fun.
Next stop - Chicago! My roommate turned 30, and to celebrate a group of 30 family and friends rented a rooftop and watched the Cubs game. JBB and I went up a day early and stayed at a very cool "boutique hotel" on the Magnificent Mile. We wandered all over Millennium Park, had a drink at the hotel bar, and then set out for a BBQ joint I had found on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It was in the near-southside of Chicago, and had some of the best BBQ I've ever had. The restaurant also had live bluegrass,which I'm a sucker for. JBB and I had the good fortune of bellying up to the bar next to a local named CJ, who appointed himself our personal tour guide of Chicago. CJ entertained us and bought us drinks for the next two hours, and ended up giving us a ride back to our hotel. After getting over my initial fear that we were being kidnapped, JBB and I rallied and soaked in CJ's extensive knowledge of Chicago history. It didn't hurt that I had just finished reading "Devil in the White City" and was bursting with Chicago trivia from the book. The rest of the weekend was spent in happy blur of eating, toasting Katie (and Katie getting toasted...), drinking, walking, and eating some more. Thanks for the hospitality, Jen!
Here we come Canada! The very next weekend, our crew (13 people strong!) headed north for our 27th year on the French River, in northeastern Ontario. This is my favorite place on earth. If someone told me the only way I could keep my Canada trips was to never go anywhere else again, I would easily pick the Canada trips. I can't put into words the peacefulness and happiness of this week. This year, Krissi's husband Nate, and JBB, both got to come for the first time, and it was so fun to experience it through their eyes. We did it all - paddleboating, shore lunch, euchre tournaments, swimming to lunch, reading copious amounts of books, weekly Monday night fish fry, laying out on the dock, and just simply being. There were no cell phones, no TVs, no facebooking or computers. Paradise. We also did two hours in a holding room at Customs. That's a story for a different blog. When people say "go to your happy place" I automatically go to Cabin 16, with the brown paint and green trim.
After Canada, I took a week off to do things like, you know laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping. One can only get by on swimsuits and sundresses for so long. Mid-August JBB and I set our compass for Oconomowoc, WI, home of the most "O's" in any US city and one of my very best friends, Nicole Rosi Wagner! JBB and I set out early Friday morning, confident and shiny in our smugness that we had timed our trip just perfectly, thus ensuring we would miss Chicago traffic. Fast forward 4 hours later, as we sat at a dead stop on the Dan Ryan in downtown Chicago, and we realized we'd been served. Why is that you always have to go to the bathroom THIS INSTANT when you don't have a shot in hell of reaching the next exit for at least a good hour? (Or is that just my bladder?) Once we finally met up with the Wagners, we had an awesome weekend, kicked off by a tour of the fabulously quirky Lakefront Brewery and ending with a mountain of food at Sunday brunch. In between we tailgated, went to a Brewers game, played euchre, and just caught up. Great weekend.
After Wisconsin, JBB and I decided to stick around Indy for two weekends, so we could remember what our houses looked like, and more importantly, attend Devour Downtown. I'm still dreaming about my Shula's steak. (And, still paying for it. Don't veer from the Devour menu unless you want to sell them your firstborn).
Labor Day weekend we headed for Pure Michigan - specifically, Saugatuck. We went up with Emily and Zach Miller, and, of course, Olivia, who had been the summer before. It was everything the Millers told us it would be, and then more. We spent part of two days at the beach, drove into Holland, MI for their Farmer's Market, ate our way through the town, made waaay too many stops at Emily's favorite ice cream shop, Kilwins, and played hours worth of Pegs & Jokers. (At which, I'm pretty sure, the boys cheated). If you get the chance, I really recommend checking Saugatuck out - it's only a 3.5 hour drive from Indy, but you truly feel like you're in a different world.
The weekend after Labor Day, we made a trip north to the exotic town of Tipton, for something the locals like to call "The Pork Festival". It was fabulous. Of course. It was the Pork Festival - do you expect anything less? Who doesn't love pork on a stick?
And, finally, last weekend, we hit up Cincinnati to visit Jason's sister, Eli, for her (belated) birthday. Because Jason is a little unhinged, we hit the road at 7:00 am (yup - on a Saturday) and were in the IKEA parking lot before it opened. After enjoying a delicious .99 cent Swedish breakfast, we tore that place up. Pillows, lamps, giftcards, lightbulbs, vases - I mean, it's IKEA - why not? Post IKEA slump, we hit Jungle Jim's, which is like a grocery store on steroids and maybe some acid, too. (Not that I've ever been on either one). This place was nuts. Food from quite possibly every country in the world, octopuses in aquariums, Beach Boys tunes blaring over the stereo - it was a trip. Me? I was most interested in the "Midwestern" aisle that featured things like Lay's Potato chips, and Hershey's chocolate. Following lunch with Eli and her boyfriend Brad, we checked into our hotel, which was actually a B & B. In the 'hood of Cincinnati. But sooo charming on the inside. I was more than a bit skeptical when we pulled up (Jason was in charge of lodging for this trip) but I have to say, he delivered. Called the "Symphony House" because it's right around the corner from the Cincinnati Opera House, each room (of which there were only 6) was named after a famous composer. We had the Schubert room (Austrian! I learned this on my Europe trip which feels several lifetimes ago), which was complete with a fireplace and the comfiest bed known to man. What it was not complete with? A toilet. Or shower. That was at the end of the hall. I did my best to time my bathroom breaks when I was out and about as to avoid any awkward encounters with our fellow B & B'ers. After checking into our hotel, and making a run for our car, we met up with Eli and Brad for the Reds/Brewers game. The Reds lost. Miserably. But the weather was perfect, it was Johnny Bench night, and the hot dog was delicious.
Whew. That's it. That's everywhere I've been this spring/summer. Lessons learned? JBB and I travel very well together, fountain drinks have not caught on in Europe, always bring your own pillow, and remember to pack a cardigan because the AC in restaurants is freezing! Happy travels!
The past 6 months have been a whirlwind of travel - in the words of Hank Snow, "I've been everywhere, man!" My pillow and I have traversed the globe, and while we have had a merry old time, we. are. tired.
Let's make like Carmen Sandiego and review where in the world I've been!
Last spring, I was lucky enough to take the trip of a lifetime with my sister and some of my best friends to Europe. It was my second time "across the pond", and this trip definitely left me wanting to see more! (It also left me wanting crushed ice. And American tasting pizza.).
Our original itinerary was to travel to Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. We ended up visiting Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. (Plus a bonus pit-stop in Luxembourg, which is about half the size of Indianapolis). I've got to say, while originally bummed about missing Italy, the time we spent in Austria more than made up for any disappointment. The country is truly beautiful.
The highlights of this trip are so many I can't possibly name (or remember!) them all, but I'll hit my favorites below:
1. Traveling through Bavaria, which is so impossibly quaint and picturesque that I felt like I was on a movie set...
2. Sharing the "penthouse" with Jen in our Swiss chalet nestled in the Alps. (Least favorite moment - hauling my suitcase up 4 flights of stairs. Then down one. Then back up. My arms still hurt).
3. Tracking down the German equivalent of chicken fingers and fries in an outdoor market in Munich - angels sang, I was so happy.
4. Learning the mysterious story of King Ludwig's death - and his borderline obsession with swans. Why no one has made a movie about this guy, I don't know! I picture Johnny Depp as Ludwig, and Jude Law as his "personal doctor". (Who coincidentally, was found dead with Ludwig floating in a pond....intriguing, no?)
5. Sitting outside at a cafe in Germany with Jen, Ali, and Susi and eating maybe the best meal I've ever had, while snuggled under the blankets they put on every chair. Why don't all outdoor restaurants do this?
6. Listening to live polka at THE Haufbrau Haus in Munich. And watching Liz get propositioned by a local German politician. He was a smitten kitten.
Europe itself was amazing; the fact that I got to do it with some of my favorite people in the world made it absolutely incredible. The icing on the cake? Our hot Czech bus driver, Roman.
Got back from Europe, and spent the next two months in a sleep-deprived blur known as "season" at the 500 Festival. Training series, mini-marathons, Kids' Day, Rookie Runs, parades, Snakepit balls, study trips, Community Days, princess receptions - I know I went to all of them. And I know I provided volunteers.
I rewarded all of my hard work with a great 2-night, 3-day stay at the IU Health Tipton County Hospital! Three cheers for kidney stones. I'll spare you the details of this sojourn; suffice to say, it was miserable. However - the nurses and doctors at the hospital ROCKED. And, I lost 10 lbs, which was fun. And then I got better and ate my way through the rest of the summer. Which was even more fun.
Next stop - Chicago! My roommate turned 30, and to celebrate a group of 30 family and friends rented a rooftop and watched the Cubs game. JBB and I went up a day early and stayed at a very cool "boutique hotel" on the Magnificent Mile. We wandered all over Millennium Park, had a drink at the hotel bar, and then set out for a BBQ joint I had found on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. It was in the near-southside of Chicago, and had some of the best BBQ I've ever had. The restaurant also had live bluegrass,which I'm a sucker for. JBB and I had the good fortune of bellying up to the bar next to a local named CJ, who appointed himself our personal tour guide of Chicago. CJ entertained us and bought us drinks for the next two hours, and ended up giving us a ride back to our hotel. After getting over my initial fear that we were being kidnapped, JBB and I rallied and soaked in CJ's extensive knowledge of Chicago history. It didn't hurt that I had just finished reading "Devil in the White City" and was bursting with Chicago trivia from the book. The rest of the weekend was spent in happy blur of eating, toasting Katie (and Katie getting toasted...), drinking, walking, and eating some more. Thanks for the hospitality, Jen!
Here we come Canada! The very next weekend, our crew (13 people strong!) headed north for our 27th year on the French River, in northeastern Ontario. This is my favorite place on earth. If someone told me the only way I could keep my Canada trips was to never go anywhere else again, I would easily pick the Canada trips. I can't put into words the peacefulness and happiness of this week. This year, Krissi's husband Nate, and JBB, both got to come for the first time, and it was so fun to experience it through their eyes. We did it all - paddleboating, shore lunch, euchre tournaments, swimming to lunch, reading copious amounts of books, weekly Monday night fish fry, laying out on the dock, and just simply being. There were no cell phones, no TVs, no facebooking or computers. Paradise. We also did two hours in a holding room at Customs. That's a story for a different blog. When people say "go to your happy place" I automatically go to Cabin 16, with the brown paint and green trim.
After Canada, I took a week off to do things like, you know laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping. One can only get by on swimsuits and sundresses for so long. Mid-August JBB and I set our compass for Oconomowoc, WI, home of the most "O's" in any US city and one of my very best friends, Nicole Rosi Wagner! JBB and I set out early Friday morning, confident and shiny in our smugness that we had timed our trip just perfectly, thus ensuring we would miss Chicago traffic. Fast forward 4 hours later, as we sat at a dead stop on the Dan Ryan in downtown Chicago, and we realized we'd been served. Why is that you always have to go to the bathroom THIS INSTANT when you don't have a shot in hell of reaching the next exit for at least a good hour? (Or is that just my bladder?) Once we finally met up with the Wagners, we had an awesome weekend, kicked off by a tour of the fabulously quirky Lakefront Brewery and ending with a mountain of food at Sunday brunch. In between we tailgated, went to a Brewers game, played euchre, and just caught up. Great weekend.
After Wisconsin, JBB and I decided to stick around Indy for two weekends, so we could remember what our houses looked like, and more importantly, attend Devour Downtown. I'm still dreaming about my Shula's steak. (And, still paying for it. Don't veer from the Devour menu unless you want to sell them your firstborn).
Labor Day weekend we headed for Pure Michigan - specifically, Saugatuck. We went up with Emily and Zach Miller, and, of course, Olivia, who had been the summer before. It was everything the Millers told us it would be, and then more. We spent part of two days at the beach, drove into Holland, MI for their Farmer's Market, ate our way through the town, made waaay too many stops at Emily's favorite ice cream shop, Kilwins, and played hours worth of Pegs & Jokers. (At which, I'm pretty sure, the boys cheated). If you get the chance, I really recommend checking Saugatuck out - it's only a 3.5 hour drive from Indy, but you truly feel like you're in a different world.
The weekend after Labor Day, we made a trip north to the exotic town of Tipton, for something the locals like to call "The Pork Festival". It was fabulous. Of course. It was the Pork Festival - do you expect anything less? Who doesn't love pork on a stick?
And, finally, last weekend, we hit up Cincinnati to visit Jason's sister, Eli, for her (belated) birthday. Because Jason is a little unhinged, we hit the road at 7:00 am (yup - on a Saturday) and were in the IKEA parking lot before it opened. After enjoying a delicious .99 cent Swedish breakfast, we tore that place up. Pillows, lamps, giftcards, lightbulbs, vases - I mean, it's IKEA - why not? Post IKEA slump, we hit Jungle Jim's, which is like a grocery store on steroids and maybe some acid, too. (Not that I've ever been on either one). This place was nuts. Food from quite possibly every country in the world, octopuses in aquariums, Beach Boys tunes blaring over the stereo - it was a trip. Me? I was most interested in the "Midwestern" aisle that featured things like Lay's Potato chips, and Hershey's chocolate. Following lunch with Eli and her boyfriend Brad, we checked into our hotel, which was actually a B & B. In the 'hood of Cincinnati. But sooo charming on the inside. I was more than a bit skeptical when we pulled up (Jason was in charge of lodging for this trip) but I have to say, he delivered. Called the "Symphony House" because it's right around the corner from the Cincinnati Opera House, each room (of which there were only 6) was named after a famous composer. We had the Schubert room (Austrian! I learned this on my Europe trip which feels several lifetimes ago), which was complete with a fireplace and the comfiest bed known to man. What it was not complete with? A toilet. Or shower. That was at the end of the hall. I did my best to time my bathroom breaks when I was out and about as to avoid any awkward encounters with our fellow B & B'ers. After checking into our hotel, and making a run for our car, we met up with Eli and Brad for the Reds/Brewers game. The Reds lost. Miserably. But the weather was perfect, it was Johnny Bench night, and the hot dog was delicious.
Whew. That's it. That's everywhere I've been this spring/summer. Lessons learned? JBB and I travel very well together, fountain drinks have not caught on in Europe, always bring your own pillow, and remember to pack a cardigan because the AC in restaurants is freezing! Happy travels!
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