I have taken my annual Boys of Summer trip (a name borrowed from the 1972 non-fiction baseball book by Roger Kahn) with my friends since 2001. We have seen 23 games in 20 different stadiums in 17 different cities.

Due to our scheduling issues, the 2014 Boys of Summer trip is in jeopardy. Two of the guys got married and two started new jobs. None of us want it to end (or go on hiatus), but finding a mutually convenient day is proving to be a challenge.

Aside from the baseball games, we visited other great attractions. Niagara Falls; Washington, D.C.; and Las Vegas top that list. We also incorporated some outdoor activities, like white-water rafting and zip-lining. I can’t even begin to list all of the great restaurants where we dined.

One option has arisen which should have been obvious to us. As a group, we have never seen a baseball game in Chicago. To extend the baseball trip concept, we might have to stay very local.

This could be a blessing in disguise. We wouldn’t just go see the Cubs or the White Sox; we would make it a full day (or two separate days) enjoying and experiencing Chicago cuisine and some other Chicago attractions, too.

Sometimes, despite intentions, things are out of our control. When traveling, obstacles come up and choices must be made going forward. Roadblocks shouldn’t end travel. The “roads less traveled” might be less desirable, but not traveling at all is never a great choice.

We are six friends who have lived our entire lives in Chicago and have seen countless Cubs and Sox games between us. Even so, as I write this, I am starting to get excited about the possibilities of a Chicago baseball “trip” for us.

— John Wroblewski, online contributor