So I left Chicago yesterday morning. I like Chicago. It's similar to Helsinki in that I could totally see myself living there if it weren't so damn cold. Seriously, it was chilly and rainy for most of my visit. Of course, it got really warm on the day that I left. I did make one stop on the way out of town - Calumet Fisheries. Yes, I heard about it on No Reservations. Don't judge me. I picked up some smoked salmon and a smoked trout tail. I ate some of the salmon for breakfast yesterday and finished it today. It as quite good. But the trout? I had it for a snack yesterday afternoon and it was incredible! Seriously, I could have eaten like 4 of them. I dunno if there's any chance of finding somewhere in Austin where I can get smoked trout tails (maybe Quality Seafood?), but I'm going to have to look into it.
Both yesterday and today were mainly devoted to checking out the wineries in the area. I hit 5 or 6 yesterday and 3 today. The first place was in Indiana. So bizarre. The tastings were in those little plastic half shot glasses. Like what you take NyQuil from. Not even a real glass. And the wines were NOT good. But they had decent fudge, so at least it was worth the stop. The Michigan wines are not nearly as complex and interesting as the wines I've tried up to this point. There have been a few that are decent, simple wines that are totally drinkable, but nothing has blown my socks off. I wasn't expecting them to anyway.
Yesterday, I also hit up the Bailly homestead in Indiana Dunes National Park. That was a bit of a bust. Not nearly as interesting as I wanted it to be. There were a few buildings and informational signs, but the buildings were all locked, so you could only see the outside. Apparently, Joseph Bailly was some sort of fur trader. I didn't really pay much attention to the posted info. Plus, it was really hot.
I stayed in a hotel in Benton Harbor last night. I got there around 5:30 and was exhausted. I crashed for a while, until I was woken up by the cracking of fireworks or something going on nearby. I peeked out the window, but didn't see anything within range and wasn't willing to leave my room. So yeah, happy Independence Day! No fireworks for Lisa.
I did have a wave on loneliness hit me last night. Not immediate loneliness like, "I wish I had someone with me on this trip," but more of a general loneliness like, "I'm really sad that I don't have a romantic relationship in my life." Yes, I am very happy with my life, and I'm happy being me, and I'm happy spending time with me, and I have a few close friends that I can really depend on, and I have a large circle of friends in addition to my close friends, and I have tried to push away the feeling of wanting a romantic relationship. I often deny to myself that it is what I want, but the feeling always creeps back in. It's not that I can't be happy without one - obviously, I have been and I am happy, but one can be happy but still want more. I often feel like I am being denied a romantic relationship because I have so many other blessings in my life, like it is my one burden that I have to bear - I have to learn to live without it, mourn the loss of it. And I have tried and tried and tried. And still the desire is there. I am not yet willing to give up on the possibility of it. I have no idea where it would come from, or what it would look like. I just know that it's something I'm still hoping for, still searching for.
I'm staying tonight with the parents of a girlfriend of mine from home. I so appreciate the hospitality of my extended circle. It really is so nice to have people to connect with all over the country. We're even having a bonfire tonight, with s'mores and everything!
Tomorrow - try number 2 to go see Before Midnight, in addition to some more traveling.
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