What started as a message in my DMs, turned into my favorite adventure this summer! My cousin sent me the flyer for Vegandale, a vegan food and drink festival that was going to pop up in Chicago. I looked at the dates, and realized it was the weekend after I completed clinicals! I knew then I was going to reward myself with a mini vacation to the Windy City.
I’ve been to Chicago many times. I have family there, and it’s only 4ish hours from St. Louis. This was going to be my first time hanging out my cousin in my adult life. She grew up in San Diego, so we didn’t see each other often. I was a little nervous, but I knew it would all work itself out.
As the weeks drew closer, I got more and more excited. I was thinking about the food I would try. I was thinking about sitting at the pier and watching the waves roll by. I was thinking about “paking the ca.” I was so excited to get out of Oklahoma for a weekend. So I packed up in my weekend bag, and hit the road as soon as I left my final day at the hospital.
We had quite the adventure driving to Chicago. We stopped in St. Louis to spend the night. We had to pick up some shoes that accidentally got delivered to her alma mater. Then we hit the road to Chicago.
A Whole New World
When we arrived to parked and went straight to the festival. I don’t think my brain ever adjusted to the fact that everything was vegan. It didn’t need to ask, I could just order. So I did what I know best, over think. I had too many options!! What was a girl to do?!
The Food
I did choose a delicious bowl of butter pecan soy ice cream. I also spilt a refreshing pineapple smoothie! It was very humid right off the lake, so a partially frozen chocolate cupcake was in order. And a not very hydrating hard apple cider rounded out my choices.
We got a bowl of vegan mac & cheese for freeeee! It was easily the best vegan mac I’ve ever had. It had all the right elements! They even topped it with fried soy “chik’un”. All I was missing was some ghost pepper hot sauce!
After the festival ended, we walked over and sat at the dock watching the waves roll by and ducks float in. It was so peaceful, and just what I needed.
My cousin is hip and knows about vegan restaurants in various cities, so she suggested we grab Native Foods for lunch before we left town.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. I am devastated we don’t have one in dallas, but we have so many other vegan options I won’t complain.
The Wind Down
To round out our sporadic weekend in Chicago we began the trek back home. This started with traffic heading out of the city. Then turned into torrential down pours requiring hazard lights. And took a break in Springfield, MO overnight. Just a couple hours after I closed my eyes it was time to make the final hall back to Stillwater to finish the last month of my internship. We won’t talk about how exhausted I was driving that early. I made it back in time to shower, and get to the site right on time!
I had no expectations for this trip, other than to try delicious food. What I got was memories and inside jokes. Late nights and a friend. I feel like I haven’t settled down since I got back and it’s been over a month. I’m leaving for Arkansas in a few days and I’m already looking at new places to try!
Today is the best day to change your life!
