What I cherish (and will miss) about the Capital Region (Part I)

Over the course of my life here in the Capital Region -- born and raised -- I've complained and poked fun at the area, and have been bored to tears by it. I've also been excited by it, had my eyes opened to many new things and people, and have been extremely happy and content with living here. I even subscribed to the idea that I just may live here for the rest of my life. But (not to get too cliche) life can throw some opportunities and challenges your way. So, things change.

My fiance (!!!!) and I are moving to the Chicago area next month. So, we spent last week there. We found a place to live, I had a job interview, we got engaged (!!!!), and explored the area we will soon be calling 'home.'

Now, I can't help but think of things I'll miss dearly about the Cap Region -- things that can't be found in Chicagoland.

Stewart's. Man, oh man. You have no idea how much I'll miss their ice cream and milk. No 7-Eleven can replace Stewart's. I mean, do they have Caramel Cone Crunch and Birthday Cake ice cream?! No. They don't.

I finally found a groomer who makes Moxie pretty. Now, I'm back to square one. Ugh.

For my "grooming", I will be trying my hardest to keep my hair appointments here, as I have had the same hair stylist since I was 16 and she's simply irreplaceable.

The Yankees. I'm not a huge baseball -- or sports -- fan. But, I don't like wearing 'sox', especially white ones -- and I doubt anyone has ever spotted a small bear walking around the city of Chicago. Where do they get these names from?!

I don't know if you know this, but Illinois is pretty flat. I mean, 'round here -- you can see the Berkshires and all types of rolling hills. Hop in a car in Illinois, outside of Chicago, of course -- and you seeeee...sky. That's it. In every direction. And hey, it's not a bad thing at all, being close to Lake Michigan is awesome and makes it feel as though you're in a coastal area. It's just different.

Speaking of coastal area...

I'll miss  -- soooo much -- being able to drive to the ocean (not lake, ocean) in a few hours. Being able to hop in a car, drive 4 hours and see Cape Cod or a few more and relax on the Jersey Shore -- two places I went on a pretty regular basis -- is not going to be doable. I've said it before, but it bears repeating -- the Cap Region is in a perfect location for car traveling that brings you to areas so different from one another. I'm getting a bit emotional typing that. So, let's move on.

Literally.