Chicago!

Our first stop on our epic journey was Chicago, which was a beautiful city filled with very nice people. We spent a day wandering around, and I highly recommend renting one of these babies for cruising around the lake.



Of course, Chainsaw got to drive. The wheel on my side was for looks, although I did try to help Chainsaw around some corners by using it.



Accidental shots are the best sometimes!





I met this giant penguin outside of a candy store, and we hit it off right away. We were like peas and carrots. We were like penguins, Ashley, and ice creams.



We found no one offering speed humps ahead.



Eyeball!



The giant mirror bean thing was cooler than I expected. I was surprised at the amount of people getting TO'd about other people ending up in their shot. Hello? There are a brazillion people trying to take pictures of their reflections people. Deal with it, ok?



We stayed with Chainsaw's friend Carlos and his wonderful fambly. He took us to his favorite restaurant, The Kitsch'n.



This is the bathroom. I don't make a habit out of photographing myself in public bathrooms, but I kind of just wanted to hang out in this bathroom forever. It's somewhat next to a giant thrift store outlet, a magical place where I spent $10 on 3 vintage dresses, 1 not vintage dress, and a tank top. There's also a vintage clothes store that is awesome. I got a couple adorable dresses, one of which was brand new vintage. She called it dead stock.

Ok, special thanks to Carlos once again. We had a glorious time in Chicago!!

2 Hour Sunset, brought to you by the great plains of South Dakota

I used to drive almost all the way across the state of South Dakota fairly regularly, mostly while I was in college, and watching the sunset across the plains has always been one of my favorite sights. Technically, driving across South Dakota is mostly boring, but it sure knows how to host a fantastic sunset.



This is well after the start.





It started fading out like this, and I thought for sure it was almost over.





Then the horizon started burning.



My camera couldn't capture it, but the sky was painted in rainbow stripes.



This is the last picture I took, but the horizon continued to glow for a long time. I timed it from start to finish at two whole hours. Thank you so much for the pretty show, South Dakota!

I need a nap just writing this.

We've been home from our epic journey since last Thursday night, but I've had a hard time getting myself to shake the dust off this place yet again. Luckily, I am overwhelmed with pictures and stories, it's just hard to find a place to begin.

Our journey went something like this-
Wednesday: Wake up at 4 am, drive for 16 to Chicago, where we stayed with an old friend of the Chainsaw.

Thursday: Chicago!

Friday: Drive across Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and finally, New York at midnight.

Saturday: Do some morning exploring and go to the wedding that inspired the whole trip.

Sunday: Brunch, Niagara Falls, nap, help take care of the wedding alcohol surplus problem.

Monday: Drive to Madison, WI. Pay almost $30 in tolls to save time.

Tuesday: Hang out in Madison with one of my favorite ladies and her scientist gentleman.

Wednesday: Drive 13 hours to the Black Hills of SD with a stop in Mitchell to see the corn palace and my second fambly (my breast friend Laura's parents!). Smootch sleeping Felix.

Thursday: Drive home to Colorado, pet kitty.

Then I had a craft fair to get ready for on Saturday. Add in the mysterious bites I got at the wedding that were causing me a ferocious itching anxiety and a trip to urgent care (before I amputated my own legs below the knee), and I've been busy, tired, and already missing new and old friends from our trip. I wish all my favorite people would move into our neighborhood!



I'll be working on more fun posts from our trip later today! Today is Felix's first day of preschool. :D