When I turned 40, I made a promise to myself that this would be my best year yet. I would get reacquainted with the "me" that existed before becoming a partner, mom, and coworker; I would tap into my truest self and embrace the awesome and wise woman I am. I would travel to the places I write about, alone and with my kids. I would get out of my own way; making "yes, and" my mantra and see where that got me.
My spontaneous "yes and" mindset was put to the test a few weeks ago, when I got a text on a random weekday asking if I'd be up for seeing P!INK the following weekend in Chicago. I thought about it for less than a minute; I was in. I found a cheap (and direct!) flight from CVG to Midway, and Jackie used her budget traveling stealth to secure us a room at the Congress Hotel, a historic hotel right on Michigan Avenue just minutes from the stadium.
Navy Pier and city skyline with the John Hancock Center from Lake Michigan, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Packing for such a quick trip was a breeze; I was able to fit everything into a sleek backpack. I'd never flown into Chicago before; the waters of Lake Michigan are a brilliant cobalt blue and the cityscape -- with its striking architecture and iconic attractions -- is breathtaking. My 10-year-old is super into baseball right now and was delighted at this photo I snapped flying over the White Sox stadium:
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
I landed around 3 p.m. and took an Uber to the hotel. After a quick shower, we decided to make the most of a beautiful Saturday afternoon and take in the (iconic) views along Lake Shore Drive. Chicago is an incredibly walkable town and it's easy to get around on foot or with public transportation, which kept this trip extremely affordable, especially as we split the bill (and our concert tickets were just $40).
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
The concert itself was awesome - if you ever get the chance to see P!INK, do it. She put on an incredible show that brought me back to high school in all the best ways. More importantly, though, if you ever get the opportunity to drop everything and rendezvous with a lovely friend for a night in the city, do it. This kind of spontaneous travel makes way for the kind of memories that last a lifetime.
Soldier Field (formerly Municipal Grant Park Stadium), dedicated to men and women of U.S. armed forces, located on Lake Shore Drive, in the Near South Side, Chicago, Illinois, USA. 1924 landmark football field, home to NFL’s Chicago Bears.
Writing for Only In Your State has awakened a curiosity about the world for which I'm incredibly grateful. Travel fuels my soul and makes me a more inspired writer and better human. The perspective that comes with age has let me embrace a "Yes and" mantra and the opportunities that come my way. Adventures are all around us and sometimes, a spontaneous getaway with a friend is all you need to be reminded of just how awesome life is.
I absolutely love cruising on Route 66 because it’s filled with quirky roadside attractions and surprises along the way – it’s all part of what makes driving down the Mother Road a whole lotta fun! And perhaps one of the quirkiest roadside attractions in Illinois (well, in my opinion) is a very atypical Paul Bunyan statue with a story behind it. Located in the tiny city of Atlanta, this is one attraction you can’t help but notice and want to stop at. Read on to learn more about this massive Paul Bunyan statue in Illinois.
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Located in central Illinois, Atlanta is a tiny city with a population of under 2,100. If you've ever traveled along Route 66, you've probably driven right through the heart of this town.
And maybe you've even stopped in Atlanta upon seeing this unusual Paul Bunyan statue. It's a popular stop for Route 66 travelers passing through town, after all.
If you have stopped to take a photo of this roadside attraction, you might have thought, "Why is Paul Bunyan holding a hot dog?" Well, there's an explanation for that.
This Paul Bunyon statue, with the last name spelled with an "o" instead of an "a," towers 19 feet and holds a hot dog. He was originally created in 1966 for a hotdog stand known as "Bunyon's" located in Cicero, Illinois.
Typically, a Paul Bunyan Statue is seen holding an ax. But that's not the case with this Paul Bunyon on Route 66! Used as an advertisement for the hot dog establishment, this imposing statue holds a giant hot dog in his hands instead.
Unfortunately, the Bunyon's hot dog stand shut its doors in 2002. In 2003, Paul Bunyon was moved to Atlanta where it's been a popular attraction ever since.
When was the last time you stopped for a pic at the massive Paul Bunyan Statue in Illinois? Do you have a favorite roadside attraction along Route 66 or anywhere else in our state? If so, please share what it is in the comments!
Do you enjoy seeing massive works of art? You can view plenty of larger-than-life sculptures at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park located in University Park.
