So, I went to Chicago

...with an incredible friend (Jodi Ohl), and had the most amazing adventure!  Our 'adventures' actually began before we ever hit the road *foreshadowing of a spectacular journey, wouldn't you say?*  When I arrived, with my own vehicle more loaded than it ought to have been, Lady J had not finished putting all of her gear in her truck (being larger than mine, the chosen chariot).  It was not long into the removal from my truck going into her truck that we realized we needed more room!?  Thus we became "The Women Who Don't Back Up!"  After procuring a sweet little U-Haul trailer, we RE-loaded *hers, mine, and ours* to head out on a 6 state road trip to attend CREATE - Chicago!

...and away we go!
After the loading, unloading, and RE-loading
YES:  you can drive 1,700 miles without backing up!

Greetings from Virginia
We came out of a few hours of spattering rain to this!

A Mountain Sunset in West Virginia
...shortly after which, we sat in stop and go traffic for
late-night road construction

Moon Over Dayton, Ohio
Northwest Dayton, to be precise - the Englewood area

Wind in the Corn -- in Indiana
...after hours & hours/miles & miles of corn, this!

Sweet Home, Chicago!
...for 4 nights, anyway

We shared driving, stories, and snacks as we made our way to the Windy City over a two day drive.  How much more pleasant, to travel with a friend!  There were times when, I am SURE, had we been stopped we would have been hauled to the pokey -- such was our raucous, heaving laughter!  There were shared sights of both beauty and decay that prompted stories from previous lives.  There was the mad fumbling with the phone and/or camera to capture the latest hilarity from the highway, as we zoomed northward.  It was a magical trip, for many reasons -- not the least of which:  getting to know someone I have long considered a Friend, but in actuality have never known very well, beyond our common interests.  It was a pleasure to visit her classroom, just at the end of each session, and see what her students had done with the knowledge and techniques that she so lovingly prepared for them.  Their sheer delight in having learned new things, and wrought them by their own hands made me excited for them -- and all that will come with their new 'knowing.'

We worked well together, in our coming and going from this event that was very different things to each of us.  For J, it was a time to re-connect with former students, welcome new ones to her ranks, and continue to grow and prosper in the world of mixed media art -- where she has become so well known.  For me, it was a journey of a different nature:  a stepping out, into a new pool of light; a venturing forth to test the waters; and an effort to find purchase in that world.  While she was there to teach for three days, and then set up to sell her wares at the Vendor Faire event on Friday, I was there for that single event alone.  All of that made this a little nerve-wracking for me -- the girl who likes to 'know' what is going to happen -- what The Plan is.  There was no knowing for this...  It was A FIRST -- it's been a little while since I had one of those (at least on such a grand scale); and it's been even longer since I felt this mix of trepidation and giddiness!

It turns out, I am pretty good at this 'displaying of my wares!'  I had a MOST incredible evening!  When the doors opened, a literal flood of people entered that Ballroom; and for the next three hours it was non-stop greeting, answering, showing, and accepting the payment of those who "got it" -- my work, my 'pieces-parts,' and my sheer joy in being there!  ...and then, like the last show of the Circus, it was over.  Would it surprise you to know that I was the last one packed up, and loaded out of that Ballroom?  *it shouldn't!*  Yes, I took too much with me -- No, I don't regret a single agonizing lifting of box, toting of bag, or hauling of load!  Why?  Because of the myriad lessons learned on this trip.  ...I can't get the tag-line for "The Six Million Dollar Man" out of my head:  "...we can rebuild him, we can make him stronger..."  I know that next time around, I will travel smarter and leaner -- with a honed focus -- pared to a reasonable load *more reasonable than this one, anyway!*

Arrowood Paper Arts in action!
...it was a wild night in the best of ways

SO...  after another in a string of week-long dinners at an abysmal hour *we <3 Warren's Ale House!*, we hit the hay to begin the long journey home the next day.  ...more Toll Booths and corn fields.  ...more ideas bouncing than unspent kernels in a popcorn popper.  ...more laughter, more music, and more stories!  I don't know who was happier on my final return to the HoCo Home:  The Man or The Dog *or ME*?  It is wonderful to travel - to see this great country, to meet new people, and to feel the growth of your own being.  I wonder if that isn't what makes the 'coming home' all the sweeter?

 Onward & Upward, 

 - pla

p.s. -- for more photos from our Chicago adventure, please visit my brand-spanking new PhotoLog
p.p.s. -- ...because it just wouldn't be my world without it, know that there is MORE amazement inducing wonderment right around the corner! 

Words of wisdom for today:

"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends,
but is played out over and over in the quiet chambers.
The mind can never break off from the journey."

                                      - Pat Conroy

Photo Notes:

   First 6 photos taken with Motorola Android X2 - standard camera app -- edited in IrfanView for size & color adjustment.
   APA in Action:  taken by the CREATE - Chicago photographer

*All photos can be seen in a larger size by clicking on them*