“Long has our species found defeat at the whims of simple weather. Endurance is its own victory.” – Old Sean
Rescue Drive
Following my time in Canada, I returned to the United States and began driving towards Chicago, hoping to outrun the oncoming snowstorm.
I failed.
Snow rushed in collectively, dusting the roads and turning my ride into a dark, continuously-focused slip’n’slide. Despite the increased hazard of driving and struggle to move safely, the drive was exceedingly boring. There was nothing to see and the crunch of snow was too loud for listening to music or audiobooks
The monotony of my journey was suddenly broken by the image of a shattered car dipping off the side of the road. A figure in white pants was jogging down the lane, and in a fit of empathy I pulled over to give an Illinois security guard named Drew a ride back to his house.
Snow and Skyline
Now long after I dropped Drew off, I arrived in Chicago.
Snow was piling up and the sky was shuttering. That night, I found my hotel and delved inside. It was warm, cozy and I fell into a thunderously deep sleep. Anyone sane would’ve stayed down for a day or so, giving themselves a chance to recover.
But being the cranky little ball of gumption I am, I forced myself back out the following morning to check out winter while visiting Chicago.
Skating Chicago
Suffice to say, I had a nice journey around the city, despite frostbite picking at me every step of the way.
I visited the Riverwalk which had ice slowly creaming away from the walls. Even midday, the sky was dark enough to cause numerous street lamps to turn on.
Eventually, I made it to The Bean, where I took a slow loop of Millennium Park. I made sure to occasionally stop at multiple museums, giving myself a chance to warm up.
Once I was feeling both cozy and brave, I took a shoreline walk, letting the stiff winds of Chicago scream past me. I ended my day at Navy Pier, where I enjoyed to meals of Chicago deep-dish pizza.
My explorations in Chicago now complete, I went back home, grateful that the cold and snow would both be lessened by a slight warm front tomorrow.
Over the next few days, I’ll gradually be fighting my way across the rolling empty lands of America, the wind-razed Midwest
Until then,
Best regards and excellent trails,
Old Sean
Written January 20th 2019
Read more about visiting Chicago and seeing the world by visiting Leftfade Trails Destination Info.
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