Bob said it would be a long time before we did it again, so I guess 12 months qualifies. We are driving to Montana. In the car. With the dog. Again. This time we have added an extra day so that our average drive time per day is 8 hours, not accounting for pit stops. Totally do-able. And we're off.

Our first stop, like last time, is Bradford, PA. at The Lodge at Glendorn. I have written about this before, so I will spare you the details, except that this place is amazing (click on the link to revisit)!! Little, exquisite cabins nestled into the woods with a world class restaurant in the main lodge. Trap shooting, curling, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, spa treatments -- all of the things we want to do but don't have time for. We have an amazing dinner and then hang by the fireplace in our cabin until bedtime. The next morning, the kitchen staff packs us some road snacks and sandwiches so we do not have to stop for food on day 2. There are little tiny cookies which last us the whole trip. Love it!

Day 2 takes us from Bradford, PA to Chicago, IL. Believe it or not, I have not been to Chicago before, save the airport, so I am really looking forward to this stop! Except there is a blizzard coming. And it's a big one. Our trip is unremarkable (again, we've done this route before) but just as we pull into the Four Seasons Chicago, the snowflakes begin to fall. We settle into our room and then head down to their restaurant Allium for a lovely dinner. When we get back to the room, the weather is getting real! Jack gets fed and somehow I get Bob to walk him in the rain, wind and snow. I think by changing into my pajamas I had an advantage, but whatever, I know I have morning duty!

The room at the Four Seasons has views of Lake Michigan and downtown so we can really see the weather coming in! Surf is UP! All night the windows shake from the wind, but by 9:00am, the storm is over -- just in time for me to feed and walk the dog. Our hotel is adjacent to Michigan Avenue, on the part they call the "Magnificent Mile", due to its upscale shopping and lake views. I hate shopping, so our credit card is safe. Bob has some work to do, but afterwards we go for another walk around the neighborhood before we get in the car at noon. Gotta give them time to clear the roads. This strategy works out well. We hit the highway and things are relatively clear. Smooth sailing. Next stop is Sioux Falls, South Dakota. There may be a tourist (trap) destination in our future. Stay tuned.