What's it like to be a peripatetic?

(New word I learned...pretty much means vagabond) I don't really know the , but I can tell you what it's like to be me and that's kind of the same thing. I have practically no money but I have some of the best friends and the best experiences. I trust in God and he not only takes me where I NEED to go, but also lets me have some fun as well.

This weekend I trucked it up to Milwaukee to see my good friend Brittany from highschool--okay, actually, I bused and trained it up but that doesn't sound as fun. 

Step 1: Metra from Elgin to Chicago.
Step 2: Walk to Greyhound bus stop in Chicago.
Step 3: Bus from Chicago to Milwaukee.

Once I was in Milwaukee, Brittany picked me up and we headed to her place. We thought, should we go out tonight? Nah, let's stay in and have a "slumber party!" It's been a while. (Actually about two years since we've had more than just a single conversation at a time we figured.) We watched Inception and The Vow and talked into the wee hours of the morning. ;-)

The next day we woke to chilly air and gray skies. We were hoping to head down to the River Walk but didn't want to get caught in a May shower in the cold. So, we went to the Mitchell Park Domes. Jeremy met us there (since he's now in Milwaukee) and we three explored the tropics, desert, and blue bayou together. It was "just a lot of plants," but it was awesome! I recommend it if you're ever in the area. And if you don't want to take my word for it, check out some evidence below.

When we came out of the Domes, it had rained, the sun was out, and, though a bit windy, the cold was not as biting. The tree of us headed to Alterra on the Lake (one of my new favorite places ever!) and had lunch outside. Alterra--not this one, another one downtown--is where Jeremy works. I love them just for their coffee and awesomeness but they are also very vegetarian friendly which gives them a + + in my book!

After lunch, Jeremy left to go meet Anna who was just getting back to town and Britt and I headed toward the River Walk...and the Bronze Fonz! 

It was a great afternoon of walking along the river, seeing the sites, and some good old fashioned shopping time (though there was nothing old fashioned about the shops we stopped at. Very cool!) I've listed some of the places we went to below:

• Wisconsin Cheese Mart
• Milwaukee Public Market (and especially Cedarburg Coffee and Roastery...)
• Hot*Pop
• Hoarder's World
• Retique

Great times! 

Then, after heading back to Brittany's place for a bit, we met Anna and Jeremy for dinner at a great little Ethiopian place where we were the only diners. Very tasty, VERY filling, and very nice.

The next day we met them again for brunch at Simple Cafe and remembered--after they told us there'd be a 45 minute wait--that it was Mother's Day. We found another little place around the corner called Hotch Spot and we decided that, in the end, that was where were meant to go all along. Soooo good. I had zucchini bread french toast! What?! Yes, I know. So good.

Then we said goodbye to them and Britt and I headed down a few blocks to see her new place she'll be moving into in a month or so! So cute. We took a nice stroll out onto the pier and then went to an awesome bookshop called Boswell Book Company. They have a great mix of new and old books and of course, having resisted temptation the whole time we were shopping the day before, I broke down and got a few books.

We took a little drive so i could see more of the area and get a great view of the city, headed back to Alterra for a cupper and a chat, and then it was time for me to head back to the land of Chicago.

In all, a very awesome, packed, relaxing, and reuniting trip! So good to see friends and see new sites. I love my vagabond life! :-) Thanks to all who made this weekend possible! (My housemates, my boss, Brittany, Jeremy, Anna, Greyhound and Metra personnel, and the Beast--our van)

Hearts, Hugs, and Smiles all around,

Rachel