Chicago state of mind.

For some reason the Billy Joel song "New York State of Mind" makes me happy. Perhaps it was because we took a trip there last year and it brings back good memories or maybe it is because I like Billy Joel but every time I hear the song I think of how fun living in a big city would be. That is if I could live exactly where I wanted and make the money to afford it. I don't need a penthouse on Park Avenue or Lake Shore Drive, just a cozy place that is in the heart of it all.

Jimmy and I had a getaway weekend. We went to Chicago. We stayed at a beautiful hotel, the Palmer House. The hotel was built by Potter Palmer in the late 1800s as a wedding gift to his wife. What a gift!!

If it were not for Hilton Honors we could have never stayed there. The hotel was beautiful, the prettiest place I have ever stayed. Our room was big and had a view of the lake. We were treated very well. We felt like royalty.

This is the entrance to our hotel.

On Saturday we walked along the lakeshore and took a water taxi to the planetarium. The water taxi is neat because it is fairly inexpensive plus you get to see the whole downtown from the water. Saturday night we went out to dinner and then to a little bar.

Us taking the water taxi from Navy Pier to the Planetarium.

One of the great views from the water taxi.

Goofing off in the planetarium.

On Sunday we walked down Michigan Avenue. It is very similar to 5th Ave. in NYC. It has tons of upscale shops and normal ones too. We also walked out on one of the beaches. It is just like being at the ocean.

Me with The Kiss at the Hershey store....he was so cute!!



See ya later Chicago.....

First signs of fall and a geography lesson

Admist, the shore of Cox Lake stands one lone tree bursting with color. Jimmy and I happened upon our first sighting of fall on Sunday while hiking at Gov. Dodge State Park. The tree was very beautiful standing by itself among the green trees.

Our day trip to Dodge Park was fun. We hiked, took pictures and got lost. We made a 2 mile mistake that I blame on Jimmy and that he blames on me. Well, truth is, we both read the sign wrong, turned left when we should have turned right and ended up walking 2 miles out of the way.

Some history on Dodge Park: For those who don't know, most of southwestern Wisconsin is hilly, I won't go as far as mountainous but it looks very similar to the Wilkesboro area of North Carolina.

Why is this section of Wisconsin hilly and the rest of the state and mid-west flat?In the last Ice Age four glaciers covered the midwest and for some quirk of nature did not cover southwestern Wisconsin. The glaciers basically mowed down all hills and mountains from Canada to Kansas moving rocks and making everything flat, except for a section of my new state. Because the glacier did not touch this area the park has some of the oldest land, 450 million years old to be exact. (according to a brochure I read)

Well that is your geography lesson for the day. I will keep you updated on the fall color.

Alas....the seasons are changing.

Oh no....what is that I see...leaves falling from a tree on campus. Which only means fall is here and winter is just around the corner. The season that I am trying my best to ignore.

The leaves will be changing soon. Most are still green but with a chill in the air I know it won't be long. I can't believe it is almost fall. I woke up to 42 outside this morning and went to work with a light jacket. By lunch time the sun was out and it was around 65.

I actually love fall. The cool crisp air, the colors, pumpkins. I use to love spring but being in financial aid, spring is almost bittersweet. The weather is beautiful, the leaves are coming back, flowers are blooming and parents and students are yelling, "I didn't get enough financial aid, my dreams are over".......you get the picture.

I am very excited about fall. I have heard that the Wisconsin fall is very beautiful. There are lots of hardwood trees so hopefully the colors will be bright.

Stay tuned...I will post pictures once the leaves start changing.