So I finally fulfilled a delayed plan and flew out to the east coast to visit friends and sightsee. Stops were made in NYC and Boston, and I gave Amtrak’s express train between the two a test (verdict: fast). It was good, as always, to spend some time in cities other than Chicago, noting the differences. I tend to develop a chip on my shoulder about the places where I live, so I try not to pass too much judgment, but it was a good feeling to come back. I was getting sick of crappy modern architecture, and missed my Intelligentsia.

Speaking of Boston, I recently discovered an awesome new blog, The Big Picture, hosted by the Boston Globe, which covers exceptional journalistic photographs. Be sure to check out the Martian Skies post for moving images of dust devils on the surface of Mars.