If you ever get the chance to visit Chicago, I say go for it. There’s lots to see and do — museums, architecture, shopping, and about a million restaurants and bars. Around Christmastime, Michigan Avenue seems like the laid back little cousin of NYC — chilly, festive, and lit up with the occasional flurry, but with wider sidewalks, less traffic, and much less risk of getting run down by a taxicab. Chicago seems a bit less expensive than most other big cities I’ve been to, and I’d be willing to bet there’s a ton of fun things to do there when the weather’s a bit warmer, too. The pizza’s excellent, and there’s not a bad steak within 60 miles. Oh, and that shiny bean sculpture at Millennium Park is pretty awesome, too. =)

I’ve been dying for a relaxing vacation, and while this wasn’t quite relaxing, it was certainly a fun, action-packed week full of some of my favorite things — hot coffee, taking pictures, long walks around the city, layers upon layers of plaid, cozy sweaters, sailors wearing those awesome white hats, and lots of shopping. The real reason for our trip was my brother’s Navy Boot Camp graduation, so congrats to Stephen, whose next stop is Pensacola for a year. Looks like I’ve got at least one excuse to get myself down to the Margaritaville Beach Hotel this spring..and I can finally squeeze in that relaxing vacation I’ve been waiting for. =)