Vacation

I returned yesterday from a week in Illinois. Highlights:

- Spending quality time with family. I haven't been home for more than 24 hours in over two years so this trip meant a lot to me. I divided my time between Freeport and Elmhurst/Chicago.

- I was really lucky with both of my flights. No problems at all even flying into O'Hare when there was an ice storm.

- I don't miss the Chicago weather. There was the ice storm, two minor snow storms (really minor - 6 and 4 inches), and cold.

- I saw the Bears lose two games.

- Both of my sisters made some of my favorite foods.

- Seeing my niece and nephews was the major highlight.

- Food - I had a butter burger at Culvers, my favorite salad at Avenue Ale House, breakfast at Victory's Banner, and lunch at Pasta Palazzo.

- I was able to reconnect with former co-workers.

- I saw two excellent exhibits as part of the Festival of Maps. The exhibit at the Field Museum was very cool. We saw everything from a map of the land of make believe to Lewis & Clark maps to maps drawn by DaVinci.

- I was able to walk around my old Chicago neighborhood.

I miss Chicago and my family. There is nothing like helping my niece with her homework or my little nephew practice writing letters and numbers. I wonder if I made the right decision on moving to Portland instead of Chicago when I had the option. It felt right coming back to Portland on Saturday so I guess that says something.