(I’m sorry, there is just no other term strong enough to describe the following!)
The famous chopped salad from Wildfire:
The famous cinnamon roll from Ann Sather:
…oozing with warm icing:
Frites and egg at the Publican:
…and their snap pea salad:
And this was just a small portion of my Wednesday through Sunday last week!
Chicago sure has been spoiling me on the food front. So much de-lish, so little time…
Location; Chicago.
Time; Last night:
I walk up to my last table before the end of my shift. It was filled with 6 chatty and friendly people. I get their food order in quickly before the kitchen closes, and grab them drinks. One of the guys at the table makes a comment about the burgers being delicious and that he once talked to the owner of the place about what he puts in them to make them so good. I proceed to tell him a little back story about the owner and the beloved burger place they used to own in Virginia, how I know the owner and how I ended up working in this current place in Chicago. The next part of the conversation took all of 10 seconds before all 7 of us are rolling- laughing at the coincidence:
Him: “So you’re from Virginia?”
Me: “No, Vermont.”
Him: “I’M from Vermont.”
Me: “Where?”
Him: “Bennington.”
Me: “Are you kidding me?!”
Him: “Did you go to Mount Anthony?”
Me: “Yes, graduated in 1996, you?”
Him: “98.”
Me: “You graduated with my brother Brad, my name is Diane Peacock, what’s yours?”
Him: “Ryan. I know Brad! -and I think you went to prom with my best friends brother!”
The table erupts. This exchange literally did go from “The burgers here are great” to “I think you went to prom with my best friend brother” in 10 seconds flat. It was a riot.
I graduated high school 15 years ago- almost to the day, never remember this guy, we both have had a lifetime of experiences since leaving that high school, we’re both half a country away from where we grew up, and now he and his wife are moving across the street from where I currently work.
I love how small the world is.
I wrapped up my shift, grabbed a beer and joined them for a while. Obviously we had plenty of stories to share and common people to talk about. Needless to say I have 6 new very fun friends in Chicago. How cool is that?
Thanks Ryan and crew- you made my night!
A really fun part about Blue Lollipop Road is that friends and readers write and tell me about their adventures. Trips they are either on, about to embark on, or are daydreaming about. I get photos sent to me too which I love. This one just in from a friend who hiked Camelback Mountain this morning:
Gorgeous. Sure looks like a fun Saturday morning to me. This really is urban hiking with a view.
Keep the photos and stories coming so I can share more. Here’s to early morning hikes and adventurous weekends!
Another week of exploring, work, soccer, zumba, delicious feasts of dinner, and meeting interesting people around Chicago. The most exciting part of the week; talks and plans about the next BLR big road trip!
As I run off for another very busy Friday, I wanted to drop a quick post to say thank you to all of you who have followed here. Hard work really does pay off. If you keep at something you love long enough, with true passion, and others hop onboard to support, that something gets stronger and stronger and eventually flies. That’s what has happened here and for me. Things are flying!
I look forward to sharing more news soon.
Here’s to living the life you want to live!