Deep Vees Across Taste of Chicago

So Chicago has things that Seattle has, but instead they have different names. Such as, instead of shopping at Safeway, you go to Dominicks. They both sell Safeway Select products, like Mountain Breeze and giant M&M cookies. Well, they also sell this grilled corn that is delicious at the Taste of Chicago.

Corn face!


I was dressed to impress this sausage.


At one point, I spied this trio of sherpa jacket triplets. Mind you , this was Independence Day, and they certainly were showing wearing their patriotism on their sleeve.

USA! USA! USA!

National Treasure:Book of Secrets State Park

Yep, my day with destiny. As you can see, I only wore my finest attire for such a day.

I kept receiving quite a few skeptical eyeballs for carrying a bird around. I mean, I'm sorry if your pets aren't true Americans. Bird Noir is as patriotic as an eagle soaring behind the burning WTC towers with an American Flag background. Some might call him a True American Hero. Basically, questioning his attendance is admitting that you're a terrorist if you ask me.

T.A.H.

I didn't come across this website until after our trip was complete, but thankfully I subconsciously knew that we had to take a trip to Custer State Park. I am really surprised they don't rename it National Treasure:Book of Secrets State Park or Benjamin Franklin Gates State Park. Or more appropriate National Treasure: Book of Secrets World's Greatest Location. It's just a thought.

"Sylvan Lake, known as the "crown jewel" of Custer State Park, is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The natural beauty of the area also served as a location during the filming of National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Various members of the cast and crew spent time crawling, climbing and filming on the granite outcroppings surrounding the manmade lake, as well as exploring the trails behind the lake."

That means that I was on the same trails and Nicolas Cage. That means my feet were on the same granite rocks as Nicolas Cage. Crawling? Climbing? FILMING?!

Then this happened and we had to go home.

Ursa Mega

I know, I know. I'm terrible at updating this. However, to give myself some credit, I do have DSL that has existed since the Cretaceous Period, so excessive judgment can not be casted in my direction.


So we drove two and a half hours out of the way to see this. Devil's Tower Monument is way more impressive than one might expect. It literally is in the middle of nowhere. Again, another marvel of geothermal activities. Also, Native American are really into this. Like in a big way. Like in a giant mythical bear trying to eat two young Native Americans while clawing this rock kind of way. At some point, a gentleman by the name of Herbet Collins decided that he wanted to depict this story on canvas:


Obviously that justified the two and a half hours.

Be Faithful

Today we experienced a geyser. It wasn't any old geyser, it was Old Faithful. Old Faithful isn't the biggest geyser in the world and it's not the most predictable. However, due to its ability to be faithful and deliver a theatrical spray, it is rewarded with celebrity status.




I read in a book that the Yellowstone Caldera is anticipated to erupt again around the next 10,000 years. That means that you all have 10,000 years to enjoy this geological spectacle. That, and to breath in the smell of rotten eggs for as long as you can.

On a less serious note:
If the eagle reads it, it has to be good.

Deep Vees: Geography and Geology

Bird Noir and I made some geographical history today once in Yellowstone National Park.


Then we discovered some geology in the park in the form of Mammoth Hot Springs. We are into calcium carbonate and magma.

Here is some proof.

Deep Vees Across Der 'Tron

One last fairwell to der 'tron. La Fuente and Fairwood Country Club represent. All of you things have been good to us, but we have set our sights on bigger things, way bigger things.

It's simple:deep vees

So, I know. I have a lot of blogs. Sean has a blog. However, I don't think that anyone can argue against that it is absolutely essential that we document this prolific journey across the United States and in Chicago, which of course must be done in style. I hope that you all enjoy experiencing the drive through seven states and our adventures in Chicago-deep vee style.

Seattle, Grand Hyatt 6.19.2008

Love, Melissa