As written in the first post, I’m a born, bred, and happy resident here in Roanoke. And I have no intention of moving, but I do like to travel from time to time and the following is one such experience.

A few weeks ago I traveled to Chicago to visit with some friends, catch a Cubs game, and overall just get away from things for a few days.

Here’s a sampling of what I discovered:

There are no mountains in Chicago.

Well, any “mountains” in Chicago most surely exist in the form of brick and mortar.

I am completely and positively spoiled by the Appalachian Mountains, but it’s difficult to really appreciate the scenic views and sense of security they provide. That is, until you touchdown somewhere outside of the Valley and realize, quite abruptly, that much of the rest of the United States is rather flat.

All throughout Roanoke, the mounatins reside in the distant background of nearly every view. They provide a quiet comfort that I’ve grown used to, and I just don’t think I could live any other way.

Automobile traffic and congestion doesn’t really exist in Roanoke.

While walking throughout downtown Chicago one thing became blatantly obvious…Everyone seems to always be in a big hurry!

Car horns honking around every corner. Three modes of public transporation (elevated train, bus, and subway) rumbling down and around every block. Not to mention a myriad of taxi cabs and regular drivers in their personal vehicles motoring around from here and there, and back again. And all seemingly converged onto the downtown streets with haste on the mind.

Traffic congestion in Roanoke, if I dare call it that, lasts for approximately 45 minutes daily, from 4:45 to 5:30 in the afternoon. And even then, only affects a handful of roads/intersections. It many situations, the worst distress any heavy traffic causes is similar to the delay from missing a traffic light or two.

Nice to visit, but good to be back home.

The hustle and bustle of such a big city is quite overwhelming, especially to the relatively small town life I’m much better accustomed to be living.

Given the choice, I much prefer being a little fish in a little pond, than a little fish in a big pond.