One hell of a trip out east

Earlier this month Sawyer and I embarked upon an historic journey to Chicago and Philadelphia to visit my long-lost lady friends: it was the longest either of us had ever been away from Chris Gray, and while Sawyer had already flown a few times (to Seattle in January and Utah in May), I knew the Philly-Denver leg would be long, and wondered how we would fare. In fact, Sawyer was positively awesome; he won fans at every destination and on every airplane, which I think is maybe a miracle.

Our first stop was in Chicago to visit my all-time favorite Bryn. When Brynny and I get together, it's non-stop convo, cultural festivals and perpetual ethnic foods. Here is a summary of our visit.

On day one we ventured into Oak Park to stroll through neighborhoods where Frank Lloyd Wright both lived and left his architectual mark. The first picture is his residence, the second a house for someone who allegedly wanted to live in a cathedral, and the third, just a handsome little number that doesn't challenge anyone's notions of domestic asthetics.

This excursion was followed by our first Eastern European food stop: The Ukranian Village restaurant. Here is Bryn entertaining the man while we wait for our borscht and meaty dumplings.

In the evening we went to the Puerto Rican festival, which curiously, though advertised as food, crafts and dances of Puerto Rico, seemed to be mainly an opportunity to sell cheap sunglasses, blast deafening music and clothe oneself in all manner of Puerto Rican flag habits (don't get me wrong, I LOOOVVEE Puerto Rico--shout out to Carla and Yamil! We just expected more.....culture).

On day two we went to the Swedish festival, and were again disappointed by the presence of mannifold local businesses advertising their services, and the curious lack of things Swedish (save a few forgotten dancers at the far end of the festivities). To compensate for the Northern Absence, we lunched at Ann Sathers, where I had the Swedish Combo, maybe the biggest meal I've ever paid $9 for. You are looking at a Swedish pancake with lingonberry preserves, a potato sausage, Swedish meatballs, one egg, fruit and the mondo-biscuit to end all biscuits. We actually ate that biscuit for like three days after this meal.

Sawyer has entered the bouncy-phase. All that sucker wants to do is bounce. Observe how Bryn expertly handles his springs at Ann Sathers.

In further hommage to Scandinavia, we visited the Swedish bakery before leaving the neighborhood, where we overheard one of the funnier culinary puns of recent memory: a few eager teenagers entered the bakery, and one hollered to the others: "Are you ready to rum ball??" "Yeah!!!!" The chorus growled. They then ordered rum balls and munched them thoughtfully.

While Bryn worked on Monday and Tuesday, Sawyer and I played and hung out, did Hollywood photoshoots, and strolled around Bryn's lovely neighborhood in Elmhurst.

On our last day we went for Greek food (I finally learned what taramosalata is!), and then Bryn took us to the Arboretum, where we took a lovely, lovely nature walk.

In front of Marmo lake.