The picture is much different from the world of restaurant articles in papers, blogs etc. This scene is one of where dedicated people are making a living at many locations throughout the Chicagoland area serving their customers they in and they out under the radar of the whole restaurant scene.

Many people are puzzled by the idea of traveling solo, why they ask almost as if there is something wrong with it.

Their questions actually are very legitimate, fear, loneliness and even if this would be a mind expanding trip with a special diet etc.

The answer is partially yes to all, and especially getting away from it all to reflect, with what, what else mother nature.

This concept of solo traveling solo in the past was not so uncommon now however in a world where we must be all connected, stay in touch and belong the idea seems absurd, especially where our fear of loneliness has been exaggerated oddly enough by the technology that makes us feel closer to each other.

I hope to keep a photo journal of the some beautiful landscapes I will see on the way and in Utah. I also plan to paint these landscapes while I am there, which will be a new experience for me.

True the products all may not be local, the employees are though are very local, and keeping Chicagoans at work is the local thing to do because our survival depends on keeping our local work force employed.

Although I’ve noticed after twenty years I like to skip a day or two.

Actually there are days that I get overwhelmed that I have a ” cooking nervous breakdown”, or obsessively start eating any fruit I can find. I supply myself with plenty of that.

Though today is Friday and I am trying to teach myself it is okay, and that at work I will have to control myself, I do have some ground lamb though and that needs to be cooked.