"Les hommes? Il en existe, je crois, six ou sept. Je les ai aperçus il y a des années. Mais on ne sait jamais où les trouver. Le vent les promène. Ils manquent de racines, ça les gêne beaucoup."

Fact: I'm my parents' tumbleweed child. A few months here; a few months there.

And for the time being it's lovely, but I have these crazy dreams of a garden with fruit trees, a big table (of recycled wood) surrounded by friends, a well-stocked spice cabinet, and a place to paint. If I'm really dreaming, I'd also like either a horse or a kayak, dishes painted by my friends, a library stocked with Dr. Seuss/Roald Dahl/Maurice Sendak/Shaun Tan, wide window-ledges to sit in, and maybe a kiln for bread-making...but that's only if I'm really dreaming. My point is, dreams like deep rooted fruit trees can't be realized unless I put down some roots myself.

Why am I posting this instead of editing and posting the pile of Georgia writings I have sitting on my hard-drive? Because--while I'm in no rush of course--thinking about future travel plans (because applications have due dates, though I'm loathe to plan) and possible places I could stay long enough to design and tend a garden, I'm surprised to find that I often think of Chester County.

I hate the suburbs. Mostly because I hate that getting anywhere requires driving. But from Philly I can get to the beach or to Lancaster or Longwood Gardens or Hibernia Park or Valley Forge. I can even take a train (or Megabus) to D.C. or New York or Boston. I can drink Hopdevil from Victory Brewing Company, eat apple cider doughnuts at Highland Orchards , or picnic during a concert at Twin Brook Winery. There's the Strasburg Railroad and the Chester County Historical Society to visit, and Marsh Creek to kayak on.

For the best ice cream, I'm a fan of the Chester Springs Creamery...And in Philly itself? The best ice cream there is probably at the Franklin Fountain. I already love the Philadelphia Orchestra, Capogiro Gelato, and the Philadelphia Art Museum. I'll even admit to enjoying an occasional cheesesteak from Pat's and a Flyers game as much as I like little old brick houses and the fact that there (is?was?) a Loving Hut on South Street. And since this has gone from a reasons-I-could-live-near-Philly to an adventure-guide-for-enjoying-whatever-area-this-is...I should also mention Doghouse Burgers in Downingtown (my family loves that place) and Baldwin Book Barn nearby. And if you're adventurous, I happen to know one of the masterminds behind Cabaret Red Light, and the tag-team comedy sketches she does with a friend of hers are (aside from being entertaining) impressive because of the brilliant acting.

And if I was to find myself back in Philly and ready for a few adventures myself? I'd pick up the latest issue of GRID, stop by the Rosenbach Museum to pay my respects, find out what Little Berlin is up to, and taste the Pub and Kitchen food I've been reading so much about.

Ta daa! Who needs travel guides? Now you know what to do in and around Philly. Go do everything so I can live vicariously through you on the next rainy day.