Ranger Holly

Traveling is my No. 1 favorite thing to do. It is the lynch-pin of my self-care routine. If I find myself without a trip planned within the next few months, I feel trapped and stifled and I get a little panicky. I have to make a distinction: While I love a good road trip or weekend excursion, I need to get on an airplane to feel the sense of calm that travel provides. Maybe it’s because I feel a some kind of transformation when rocketing through the air, crossing time zones and landing some place completely different. I love the exhilaration of embarking on rapid change.

In June, the stars aligned for a really quick trip to Chicago -- I was on the ground in the city for about 36 hours. Hardly enough time to scrape the surface, but for me the rejuvenation I got from the trip made it completely worth it.

You see, the added bonus was that I was meeting up with my Faux Mom and my Faux Sister who were in town for a conference. I don’t get to see these lovely people as much as I would like, so I was not about to pass up this opportunity.

I booked a cheap ticket with Spirit Airlines and made it work. I traveled light and packed my basic needs into my personal item and took off.

Here's the round up of what we did with 36 hours. We definitely covered some ground and made great memories. If you find yourself in Chicago, I fully endorse everything listed below.

8 p.m. June 25 to 1 a.m. June 26

I landed at O’Hare, grabbed a Lyft and met my crew downtown at Elephant and Castle. On the way there, I passed The Chicago Theatre with its amazing neon sign lit up.
After dinner at Elephant and Castle, we hopped over to Susan Sarandon’s ping pong club SPiN. Typically, I’m not a clubber (clubbist, club-ologist, clubgoer… whatever) but mix ping pong with wine and some gal pals and you’re looking at a great time.

Inside Goddess and the Baker. Photo by Ranger Holly.

June 26 - The only full 24 hours we had together

Breakfast at Goddess and the Baker. Awesome food, coffee, tea and knick-knacks. My favorite part was that we were right under the tracks of the metro. I know, sometimes I’m still just a little mountain girl.
Stopped by the Bean, formally known as Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, for a quick photo op.
Played a round of mini golf at Maggie Daley Park.
Rented bikes and rode them down to Navy Pier. Full disclosure: I don’t have the best track record when it comes to bike riding (once, I very embarrassingly ran into a parked car), but I survived and it was so much fun.
Massages at DQ Luxury Reflexology Massage & Relaxation Retreat, this place was great, they accommodated the three of us together without an appointment. We had about an hour wait before we could go in, so we popped down the street to Kitty O’Sheas for a snack to stave off any hunger pangs.
We walked from DQ to Tesori for dinner and I spotted some great street art along the way.
After dinner, it was sadly time to start packing up and getting ready for our flights out the next day.

June 27- Flight departs at 3:10 p.m.

Breakfast at Goddess and the Baker again. We’re creatures of habit or gluttons, not sure which, but someone ordered cake for breakfast… so you be the judge.
Walked Faux Sister to the metro stop.
Did some shopping with Faux Mom and then walked her to the metro stop.
With about 1.5 hours left on my hands, I went to The Chicago Art Institute and filled my eyes with as many beautiful images as I could. The best part was seeing Grant Wood’s American Gothic. I had no idea it was there (I know, such a rube) and it was one of those amazing moments where you thank yourself for doing something very right.
With that, I jetted back to the airport and after a quick stop in Las Vegas (where I saw Flava Flav, clock and all), I was back home in San Diego.

Our last "supper" at Goddess and the Baker. Photo by Ranger Holly.

Seven years ago on August 1, I got a grasshopper tattooed to the top of my left foot where I would be guaranteed to see it every day.

This grasshopper is to remind me that I do not always have to be the responsible ant. I need to balance my life and be the carefree grasshopper as well. If you don’t know the story of the Grasshopper and the Ants, take a few minutes and watch the Disney cartoon now. It is an old story, but this cartoon was the way that I first came to know it.

August is often the point in the year by when I’ve gotten too serious and I need to shake off the past seven months. Regroup and give myself a breath of fresh air. August 2016 was an epic one for me as I took my first solo trip out of the country. It was amazing and challenging and I loved every minute of it, but was so glad to get home as well.

These past seven months of 2017 have not been what I expected or planned, which I know is the way life goes. I will be taking this month to heal and rebuild and gather my strength. Over the past seven years, my August ritual has been an important one for my growth and getting my wits about me to end the year strong.

Yesterday, I asked the Universe for a sign so big that I could not ignore the message. My sign came in the form of a beautiful beetle that pestered me throughout my lunch hour - buzzing in my ear and constantly flying around me - and then landed on me. Yes, I did freak out that a giant beetle landed on me, but then I went back to my office and looked up the meaning of beetles.

There has been a lot written about the topic, but some of the messages that beetles bring are about grounding yourself, speaking your truth and transformation. Essentially, the things I strive for daily but especially during August. The beetle was the perfect sign for me as I begin this month of grounding and transformation. I will post updates of what I am up to throughout the month. I have made some plans and left room for spontaneity as well - the perfect balance of grasshopper and ant.