Chicago is amazing! It is one of my fave cities. I've had amazing adventures in that city - and by amazing, I mean - raucous, naughty and crazy times. I tried to convince the doorman at MJs bar to let me in even though he had strict orders to tell all of us "commoners," that it was not open to the public that night due to a private buyout. ;) So instead I met a very nice, handsome guy at a random Irish pub at the bar and he had his private driver toole us around from bar to bar. I'd include pics from that if there was a way - these pics were taken from a disposable camera and I had to get them developed, so yeah...it's been a wee long while since those days have happened. BUT, crime or no crime - we are as safe as we want to feel when we travel places. Honestly. I've never felt more alive and safe in my life as when I travel. I've gone to many countries solo, as a female, and never felt threatened. I always say, safety is an illusion. Galena is now on the list of places to stop through. LOVED your story. Glady and Jamie made the whole story come together just like a rug does for a room. Perfecto!
Sounds like you know how to DO Chicago! 😂 And so much yes to the idea that safety is an illusion—I've certainly traveled and lived in more objectively "dangerous" places, but have always enjoyed my life. Cheers to Glady and Jamie!
Your take on Galena is fantastic - and, dare I say, "right on!" I love to visit the Galena area. My wife and I currently live in a small town about 60 miles west of Chicago - part bedroom community, part farming community (about 1800 people). Having been raised in Chicago suburbs, I find the small town atmosphere so refreshing and welcoming. So much so that my and wife and I have been slowly moving west - away from the "big city." As for Chicago, visit if you like - but be VERY careful. It has become a VERY dangerous place to be - even (especially) along the "Magnificent Mile."
What's wild is Naperville keeps showing up on lists as one of the safest places in the United States—and it's RIGHT THERE. We had a great time in Chicago and felt 100% safe—I'm not sure what's going on here, but our experience was lovely. Granted, we stayed on the Gold Coast.
Loved your recaps of the Midwest and this little love letter to Galena. I’m from Decorah, Iowa - a place I’d HIGHLY recommend if you loved Galena.
We’re just 2.5 hrs up the Mississippi (though a bit inland) sharing a border with Wisconsin and Minnesota. So you’ll find a lot less Chicago locals and a lot more people saying “uff da” and “ooh ya, you betcha”. We have a #1 in the nation microbrewery, the largest Norwegian-American museum in the world (riveting), beautiful river bluffs and more bald eagles to get your bald eagle fix for at least 10 years. Just maybe don’t ever visit in the winter, k?
Much like Galena, Decorah is also a juxtaposition of politics, religion, and overall open-mindedness. Having lived in Chicago for years (truly the best American city, IMO) and now in Europe, I look back on my “home” with mixed feelings.
Decorah is a liiiiitle more progressive since we’re a liberal arts college town, but many small town, midwestern locals live with the ignorance and fear of anything “different”… unfortunately, there are too many people like that guy from Waterloo you met in your last post.
It’s frustrating and sad to hear the discrimination and “othering” masking their fear, perhaps due to a majority of the people who have never left the country, let alone their state. Though, I do have a lot of hope in younger generations starting to stand up to their Uncle Earl and call out his bigoted remarks.
I used to think that safety was synonymous for “niceness”. But obviously, as you pointed out in your last post, there’s a big difference between “outgoing friendliness”, “politeness” and of course “safety.
As a fun fact though, and one of the reasons I used to think my hometown was so “nice”, it truly is the safest place I’ve ever lived (and I live in Zurich… 5 year olds walk to school unaccompanied here). My parents STILL don’t lock the doors to their house - even while wintering in Arizona - and people still leave their cars RUNNING (KEYS IN THE IGNITION) when popping into the gas station.
And yes, people will wave at you whether you’re on the porch, in your car, or making out with your high school boyfriend by the waterfall (that was awkward… and yes, we also have waterfalls!)
As a proud midwesterner and longtime reader, I’m really really happy that you explored the Midwest, even if it didn’t always live up to your “nice” expectations. It’s on the sheltered locals to educate themselves about the differences in our world so they can stop living in fear and spewing hate. It also helps that nomad creators like yourself share the beauty and hidden gems that the Midwest has to offer so more people see it as a place worthy of visiting instead of passing on by!
Galena sounds like a quaint town. Everything is always romanticized on vacation!! my husband was working in Chicago one summer so that meant the kids were on summer break and we could travel t hang out with him. I love Chicago. The only thing I had to prepare for in Chicago was all of the walking we were going to do. We live in a suburb where the only way to get around is by car so we never walk anywhere. I had to practice with my kids holding hands, they were 9 and 10 (without complaining) and walking together. Lol. But my husband had a corporate apartment that overlooked Centennial Park and The Bean!!!! It was such a cool central location, we LOVED it!! So much that my son thought we were moving to Chicago!! I said, we can move here but in the winter it is brutally cold and you will still have to go to school and visit your math tutor on Tuesdays, because I'm sure we can not afford where we are staying right now!!
Just got a notification for cheap flights to Chicago from CA (which never happens and should be treated as a sign from God) so I'm on my way in Nov and now I want a stop over in Galena!
Ash! You continue to amaze and inspire me! Who knew that reading a post about a small town in the midwest (which I'm completely obsessed with now and on the places to visit ASAP list) could provide such eye opening and heart warming prose (and so much needed - will you please be my therapist?). YOU ROCK!!!
First of all, I visited Chicago last summer and fell in love! I almost agree with C, Chicago is definitely comparable to New York. It’s even cleaner! But I love the grittiness of NY so it’s still the winner for me.
I enjoyed this read, Ash! I live in a medium town with a small town feel and I can get really down about it at times. The politics are trash and that’s rough. Your words reminded me of the ease of smallish town living. Thank you for giving me a pleasant reason to open my email in the morning!
It's the architecture in Chicago for me: I can't stop taking photos!
Every place certainly has its pros and cons, but ease is certainly a huge pro. When we had our place in Philly, lots was more difficult—even just the trash only being collected once a week, and having no where to put it until then, which meant I had to store old raw chicken guts in the freezer for 7 days until it was finally time. 😂
That was SUCH a delight to read. Thank you for making my Monday night 1000% better. I live in San Diego but miss small town life these days. Lots of people and noise are exhausting. I’ve never been to the Midwest. Time for a trip.
Kudos; nicely done, Ash. I am enjoying this new paradigm of yours. Part hilarious, part humanistic, and fine Americana storytelling. I've actually been a fan/follower for years. Please do keep your creative juices flowing and your pen ink too. Cheers. Marco the Vino guy.
Marco the vino guy!!!! HIIIII!!!!! I remember you, of course. Thank you for taking the time to leave me SUCH a kind, encouraging, enthusiastic comment. I shall print it and read it the next time someone tells me I am trash and should be eaten by a group of angry sharks. ;) ;) ;) (But seriously, thank you for reading all these years—I appreciate you!)
Chicago is amazing! It is one of my fave cities. I've had amazing adventures in that city - and by amazing, I mean - raucous, naughty and crazy times. I tried to convince the doorman at MJs bar to let me in even though he had strict orders to tell all of us "commoners," that it was not open to the public that night due to a private buyout. ;) So instead I met a very nice, handsome guy at a random Irish pub at the bar and he had his private driver toole us around from bar to bar. I'd include pics from that if there was a way - these pics were taken from a disposable camera and I had to get them developed, so yeah...it's been a wee long while since those days have happened. BUT, crime or no crime - we are as safe as we want to feel when we travel places. Honestly. I've never felt more alive and safe in my life as when I travel. I've gone to many countries solo, as a female, and never felt threatened. I always say, safety is an illusion. Galena is now on the list of places to stop through. LOVED your story. Glady and Jamie made the whole story come together just like a rug does for a room. Perfecto!
Sounds like you know how to DO Chicago! 😂 And so much yes to the idea that safety is an illusion—I've certainly traveled and lived in more objectively "dangerous" places, but have always enjoyed my life. Cheers to Glady and Jamie!
Your take on Galena is fantastic - and, dare I say, "right on!" I love to visit the Galena area. My wife and I currently live in a small town about 60 miles west of Chicago - part bedroom community, part farming community (about 1800 people). Having been raised in Chicago suburbs, I find the small town atmosphere so refreshing and welcoming. So much so that my and wife and I have been slowly moving west - away from the "big city." As for Chicago, visit if you like - but be VERY careful. It has become a VERY dangerous place to be - even (especially) along the "Magnificent Mile."
What's wild is Naperville keeps showing up on lists as one of the safest places in the United States—and it's RIGHT THERE. We had a great time in Chicago and felt 100% safe—I'm not sure what's going on here, but our experience was lovely. Granted, we stayed on the Gold Coast.
Loved your recaps of the Midwest and this little love letter to Galena. I’m from Decorah, Iowa - a place I’d HIGHLY recommend if you loved Galena.
We’re just 2.5 hrs up the Mississippi (though a bit inland) sharing a border with Wisconsin and Minnesota. So you’ll find a lot less Chicago locals and a lot more people saying “uff da” and “ooh ya, you betcha”. We have a #1 in the nation microbrewery, the largest Norwegian-American museum in the world (riveting), beautiful river bluffs and more bald eagles to get your bald eagle fix for at least 10 years. Just maybe don’t ever visit in the winter, k?
Much like Galena, Decorah is also a juxtaposition of politics, religion, and overall open-mindedness. Having lived in Chicago for years (truly the best American city, IMO) and now in Europe, I look back on my “home” with mixed feelings.
Decorah is a liiiiitle more progressive since we’re a liberal arts college town, but many small town, midwestern locals live with the ignorance and fear of anything “different”… unfortunately, there are too many people like that guy from Waterloo you met in your last post.
It’s frustrating and sad to hear the discrimination and “othering” masking their fear, perhaps due to a majority of the people who have never left the country, let alone their state. Though, I do have a lot of hope in younger generations starting to stand up to their Uncle Earl and call out his bigoted remarks.
I used to think that safety was synonymous for “niceness”. But obviously, as you pointed out in your last post, there’s a big difference between “outgoing friendliness”, “politeness” and of course “safety.
As a fun fact though, and one of the reasons I used to think my hometown was so “nice”, it truly is the safest place I’ve ever lived (and I live in Zurich… 5 year olds walk to school unaccompanied here). My parents STILL don’t lock the doors to their house - even while wintering in Arizona - and people still leave their cars RUNNING (KEYS IN THE IGNITION) when popping into the gas station.
And yes, people will wave at you whether you’re on the porch, in your car, or making out with your high school boyfriend by the waterfall (that was awkward… and yes, we also have waterfalls!)
As a proud midwesterner and longtime reader, I’m really really happy that you explored the Midwest, even if it didn’t always live up to your “nice” expectations. It’s on the sheltered locals to educate themselves about the differences in our world so they can stop living in fear and spewing hate. It also helps that nomad creators like yourself share the beauty and hidden gems that the Midwest has to offer so more people see it as a place worthy of visiting instead of passing on by!
Galena sounds like a quaint town. Everything is always romanticized on vacation!! my husband was working in Chicago one summer so that meant the kids were on summer break and we could travel t hang out with him. I love Chicago. The only thing I had to prepare for in Chicago was all of the walking we were going to do. We live in a suburb where the only way to get around is by car so we never walk anywhere. I had to practice with my kids holding hands, they were 9 and 10 (without complaining) and walking together. Lol. But my husband had a corporate apartment that overlooked Centennial Park and The Bean!!!! It was such a cool central location, we LOVED it!! So much that my son thought we were moving to Chicago!! I said, we can move here but in the winter it is brutally cold and you will still have to go to school and visit your math tutor on Tuesdays, because I'm sure we can not afford where we are staying right now!!
Just got a notification for cheap flights to Chicago from CA (which never happens and should be treated as a sign from God) so I'm on my way in Nov and now I want a stop over in Galena!
Ash! You continue to amaze and inspire me! Who knew that reading a post about a small town in the midwest (which I'm completely obsessed with now and on the places to visit ASAP list) could provide such eye opening and heart warming prose (and so much needed - will you please be my therapist?). YOU ROCK!!!
Oh god, could you imagine me as your therapist? YES, GO TO ITALY, RIGHT NOW! GO TO ICELAND! DROP EVERYTHING AND GO TO CHILE! 😂
First of all, I visited Chicago last summer and fell in love! I almost agree with C, Chicago is definitely comparable to New York. It’s even cleaner! But I love the grittiness of NY so it’s still the winner for me.
I enjoyed this read, Ash! I live in a medium town with a small town feel and I can get really down about it at times. The politics are trash and that’s rough. Your words reminded me of the ease of smallish town living. Thank you for giving me a pleasant reason to open my email in the morning!
It's the architecture in Chicago for me: I can't stop taking photos!
Every place certainly has its pros and cons, but ease is certainly a huge pro. When we had our place in Philly, lots was more difficult—even just the trash only being collected once a week, and having no where to put it until then, which meant I had to store old raw chicken guts in the freezer for 7 days until it was finally time. 😂
That was SUCH a delight to read. Thank you for making my Monday night 1000% better. I live in San Diego but miss small town life these days. Lots of people and noise are exhausting. I’ve never been to the Midwest. Time for a trip.
Agree: lots of people ARE exhausting. LOL.
Kudos; nicely done, Ash. I am enjoying this new paradigm of yours. Part hilarious, part humanistic, and fine Americana storytelling. I've actually been a fan/follower for years. Please do keep your creative juices flowing and your pen ink too. Cheers. Marco the Vino guy.
Marco the vino guy!!!! HIIIII!!!!! I remember you, of course. Thank you for taking the time to leave me SUCH a kind, encouraging, enthusiastic comment. I shall print it and read it the next time someone tells me I am trash and should be eaten by a group of angry sharks. ;) ;) ;) (But seriously, thank you for reading all these years—I appreciate you!)