Dakota Dispatch #8: SoDak and beyond.

Last weekend, I ventured out of the state for the first time since I've been home. Wednesday night, I drove to Fargo and had dinner with my brother. We then made our way to one of teh bars near his college where they have 75 cent taps on Wednesdays (on Tuesdays, the beers are smaller, but only 35 cents). Around 2am, Andy dropped me off at the Amtrak station and shortly after 3:00, the train showed up. The trip ended up taking something like 16 hours, which was good for getting some studying done but not much fun. Although, I will say that Amtrak's not a bad way to travel if you're not on any kind of schedule. It's comfortable and if you're traveling with a group, it could be a lot of fun.

Anyway, my weekend made me love Chicago a little more than I had before. This was the first time I've visited the city that I haven't stayed in Hyde Park and I think that makes a huge difference. I'd tell you all about my shopping, restaurant and bar adventures there, but I'm not sure the stories are all that intersting for anyone other than me. Although, I will note that I ate at Orange before I left Sunday morning and as just as I sat down to right this post, I turned on the Food Network and Giada De Laurentiis (who, I totally have a girl crush on) was eating there, too.

My train ride back to Fargo was fairly uneventful, but for the asshats who decided to sit in front of me (they were rapping along, loudly and badly, with their cd players) and the total toolbag who hit on me (he is, of course, considering law school). Andy earned major brother bonus points by picking me up at the train station at 5am (he'd stayed up all night since my train had been scheduled to arrive at 3:00). I hung out in Fargo/Moorhead for the morning and then made my way back home.

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures from the weekend. Instead, I'm including a picture that I took on my way back from Castlewood (the town where my mom teaches) the other day. It's kinda dumb, but this sign has been making me giggle for years.