Headline: Ghouls Spotted Around Gardner

It is Halloween week and scary movies and haunted houses are right up my alley, so we decided to join in the fun.  At the last minute the decision was made to go on a haunted hayrack ride in Custer Park, sponsored by the local fire department.  We heard from someone who lives in the area that this was not as scary as the haunted house in one of the surrounding towns and given that we had a 7-year old and a 9-year old in tow, this seemed to be the best choice.

Eight of us piled onto the hayrack for a one-mile ride out to a haunted barn, with ghouls and zombies popping up along the way.  The youngest two in the family decided during the ride out into the country that the haunted barn was not for them and many tears ensued.  When we arrived at our destination, everyone decided to take the plunge but unfortunately my brother and sister-in-law spent their time soothing frightened children as they wound their way through the pitch-black maze of 13 separate rooms in the barn.  Terry and I led the way and I had to admit that it was well done and given my claustrophobic nature, feeling my way through a black maze with monsters and other creepy-looking creatures appearing at many of the turns was a little startling at times.  The kids made it through and both decided it wasn’t so bad after all.  Always easier to say this after the fact, isn’t it!

My friend Villa and I joined my brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Traci, for a Halloween party at one of the local pubs.  Terry offered to stay behind and babysit the kids.  Villa and I did not dress in costume but enjoyed watching everyone parade through the bar in their most creative Halloween garb. Costumes were judged at the end of the evening, and although I am biased, I believe my brother Alan  should have received the male prize.  So many of his friends did not even recognize him in costume!

Cruella Deville & The Joker, aka Traci & Alan

My brother, the Joker

This is one of those times when removing the “red eyes” in a photo just doesn’t make sense!

Terry had his own costume judging contest to deal with back at the house.  The oldest nephew Seth and niece Paige decided to paint their faces and be judged. What was a good uncle to do but declare the contest a tie!

Zombies Seth & Paige

Prior to the entire town turning into zombies and other creepy looking characters, we were able to visit the school where our niece Paige and nephew Blake attend, where they proudly showed us their classrooms.

Blake in second grade classroom

4th grader Paige

Me & Paige with the ghouls closing in

Blake in one of his more serious moods

On Halloween day the grade school kids participated in a parade, complete with costumes. Terry was able to snap a few shots of the kids as they strolled by.

"Scary Clown" Blake

"Clumsy Smurf" Paige

And the cutest of them all, Traci’s nephew Ty.

6-month old "monkey" Ty and "zookeeper" mom Angie

Halloween night and the kids are ready to hit the neighborhoods and get all “sugared up”.  We learned it has been a tradition for the moms to get out the golf carts and take the little ones trick-or-treating so Villa and I hopped on to experience a neighbor’s haunted house (much toned down from the previous trip).

Girls Night Out? No, just Halloween in Gardner.

As we pulled away I remembered that I was in charge of making the soup for dinner that night.  Since that wasn’t happening, I quickly ran back to instruct Terry to “make the soup”.  Well, really that was all the instruction I gave him.  His response was, “you’re kidding, right?”, to which I responded, “no, make the soup”, as I quickly ran back to the golf cart. Luckily he knew there was a recipe sitting in the kitchen and I had set aside the ingredients but that was all he had to go on. We didn’t know what to expect when we got back.  We might be going out for pizza.

We arrived at the neighbor’s haunted house and luckily it was “kid rated” so no tears this time!

Traci & Blake

We arrived back at the house a short time later, and guess what, soup’s on!  Nice job Terry!

Chicago, Chicago…

We have landed in Gardner, IL and have been able to park our rig right outside my brother’s house for the week.  Since the closest campground is 35 miles away, we are thankful we do not have this daily commute.  They live in a new subdivision at the end of the road so it is somewhat less obtrusive to have a 38′ rig in the neighborhood than it could be.

We had a few hours to spare one day so we decided to hop on the Amtrak in Joliet (about a 30 minute drive from where the family lives) to go to downtown Chicago.  The temperatures have dipped in this part of the country and the Windy City is well, windy, so it was a brisk day to walk.  We got some exercise in, spending 4 hours walking downtown, seeing some sights we had not seen for many a year or not at all.  Terry once worked for Harris Bank downtown so he was anxious to see how the area had changed.

Chicago Art Institute

As we headed towards Millennium Park we passed the renowned Chicago Art Institute.  It would have been nice to spend the afternoon pouring over the fabulous works of art inside but with just a new hours in the city, a quick photo was to be all we had time for.  Our focus was on exploring Millennium Park.

What was once an industrial wasteland in the heart of Grant Park, with unsightly railroad tracks and parking lots, has evolved into the most significant millennium project in the world, Millennium Park.  Work on this project began in October, 1997 and opened to ceremony in July, 2004, four years behind schedule.  Many feel that this 25-acre park with world-class art, music, architecture, and landscape designs was worth the wait.

The most prominent feature in the park is the stunning Jay Pritzker Pavilion, one of the most sophisticated outdoor concert venues of its kind in the U.S.  It was designed by Frank Gehry, one of the world’s greatest living architects.

Cloud Gate, an interactive sculpture that sits in the center of the park, was designed by Anish Kapoor, providing distorted views of those peering into her depths.

Crown Fountain, brainchild of Jaume Plensa, is a 50-foot block tower of flowing water (no water on this day), depicting the faces of 1000 different Chicagoans.

On a warm sunny day it would be delightful to wander Lurie Garden and the abstract sculptures in the Boeing Galleries but with just a few hours in the city, we had to be selective.

One of the sculptures of the Boeing Galleries

What would a visit to the Windy City be without a photo of Marilyn Monroe in her infamous subway-grate pose?

Seward Johnson, New Jersey based artist known for his gigantic pop art icons displayed in public spaces, created this 26-foot statue that is prominently featured in Pioneer Court, along Michigan Avenue.  It will be on display here until spring 2012.

Unfortunately, it was time to head back to the train depot.  Along the way Terry got in a few photos that I have posted below.

Chicago skyline and fall colors from Jay Pritzker Pavilion

Lovely little downtown park

Chicago River view

Chicago Board of Trade

Wrigley Building

Chain O’ Lakes State Park ~ Spring Grove, IL

Since we purchased our rig in Antioch, IL, we decided to spend some time nearby, familiarizing ourselves with the systems.  It seems appropriate that we should begin this new adventure in the midwest, as Terry and I both grew up in this area, me in Illinois and Terry in Ohio.  Jay and Beth were kind enough to spend some time with us, answering questions, which I suspect would not occur with just anyone selling their RV.  They recommended Chain O’ Lakes State Park, and it did not disappoint.

For novices such as ourselves, there were many sites with ample space to back a 38 foot rig into and the sites were separated enough that we did not feel we were sitting on top of our neighbors.  The sites were neat and clean and heavily wooded, making for a very lovely stay.  The amenities in the park were many:  lot of lakes, great hiking trails, boating, canoe rentals, horse rentals, and fishing, just to name a few.

We came across a couple of birders while out hiking one day, who pointed out the elusive green heron to us, not readily seen and commonly referred to as “shypoke”.  It was a great treat for us.

Our friends, Bob and Jan, whom we met in Ajijic, Mexico, live just up the highway in Rockford, IL, so we spent a couple of days with them and they generously showed us their home town, as well as Lake Geneva, WI, a charming town with a great lake front.

Bob & Jan

Time to head down the road to Iowa!

Visit with Family

Hola from balmy Mexico!

I guess you could say that I took a hiatus from blogging.  I am not one to do a posting just to fill space – not going to bore you with how I rearranged my kitchen cabinets (which is a posting I actually came across recently).

We, like many others, have been patiently awaiting the rainy season as it has been a long dry spell.  Many of those who have migrated south of the border (and locals perhaps) take a little break from this area during the month of May, which is our hottest month. Having said that, it still is rather pleasant here even at 90º, as we do not have the accompanying humidity during the dry season.  We did decide, however, to follow the crowds and take a trip north of the border to see family.

Our first stop was Indianapolis to visit Terry’s sister and husband and to pick up a vehicle we have stowed there.  Once the rains subsided (which had been plentiful this year in the midwest), we assisted in planting a garden, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  Terry got the task of roto-tilling the ground before we planted so I am not sure that he has as fond memories as I do!

I was reminded by my sister-in-law that when I posted some pictures of family back over the Christmas holidays, I neglected to include everyone in the family, that being the four-legged variety of relative.  My apologies to Frank and Pearl!

Frank Posing for the Camera

Pearl Napping after a Tough Day!

Pearl is very camera-shy (actually barks when you point a camera at her, as does Terry’s sister when a camera is pointed in her direction!) so taking a picture of her had to be a sneak attack.

From there we headed to Illinois to see my brother and family and to attend my godson’s graduation.  We also had the honor of seeing said godson (Seth) decked out for his 8th grade dance, which was quite an event.  It looked more like the prom to me.  My, how times have changed!

Seth and Friend Dressed for the Dance

Paige, Seth, and Blake

A rare shot of niece and nephews in the same photo:  Paige, always the photogenic one; Seth, still no smile to speak of; and Blake, hamming it up for the camera!

Next on the agenda was getting ready for a very important graduation.  I saw friends that I had not seen in 20+ years!  It was a very good time.

Proud Parents and Siblings Awaiting the Graduate

Grandma and Happy Graduate

And that is about as close as we could get to capturing a smile on Seth’s face!

A grade school talent show was on the list of activities that we took time to see, where our niece Paige did a song and dance routine with several of her friends.

Paige - the "Justice" Girl

After a few days of enjoying family in Illinois, we ventured to Ohio to spend time with Terry’s parents, assisting with as many projects as they would allow.  The weather was very nice, as was our visit.  We were both grateful to be able to offer a helping hand where needed.

From Ohio, back to the Indianapolis area to spend a night with niece Sara and her significant other, Nick.  I am including photos of two more of our four-legged relatives, one who was overlooked in my last family posting (Bailie) and the newest addition to the family, Marge.

Bailie, a Very Calm, Lovable Girl

Marge, with Mom Sara

Out of control, boisterous Marge thought she was a cat in this next shot, attempting to climb as far into Terry’s lap as she could

We had a wonderful visit and the time flew by, as it seems to when you are on vacation.  Is it proper to call it a vacation when you are retired?

We are now back in Mexico, returning to the rainy season and some amazing storms.  It is a bit more humid than before the rains came and the temps are hovering around 80º. Not a bad gig if you can get it!

Happy New Year!

Do not dwell in the past; do not dream of the future; concentrate the mind on the present moment  ~  Buddha

We have returned to sunny Mexico after spending a wonderful 5 weeks with family and friends.  Our trip included an approximate 2000 mile trek from Arizona, to Oklahoma, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana.  For those of you up north watching the weather (and who hasn’t), except for warmer temps in Arizona and one day in the midwest, most days the temperature was frigid, but we were rewarded with a white Christmas and the warmth of spending the holidays with family.

Our first stop after leaving Arizona was to head to Oklahoma to visit children and grandchildren.  We also had the opportunity to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, a very moving tribute to those whose lives were changed forever after the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 15, 1995.  Looking across the expanse of the Field of Empty Chairs was a very humbling experience, one I will not soon forget.  Each chair represents an individual who lost their life in the bombing, with names engraved on the bases.  Smaller chairs chillingly depict the number of children lost in the daycare center that tragic day.

Field of Empty Chairs

The memorial created by this tragedy was one of the most symbolic I have ever seen, with a reflecting pool sitting in front of the Field of Empty Chairs and The Gates of Time flanking either end of the pool.  Engraved on the east gate is the time of 9:01, which reflects the innocence of the city prior to the bombing.  The west gate’s engraving of 9:03 represents the moment that the city was forever changed, as the bombing occurred at 9:02 am.

Reflecting Pool

East Gate ~ Innocence

West Gate ~ Forever Changed

One of many other noteworthy items on the grounds is that of the Survivor Tree, a 90-year-old American Elm that bore witness to the violence of that day, having been embedded with debris from the building.  It was lovingly cared for and still is to ensure its survival, as it represents the strength of the Oklahoma City people.  A message to visitors reads:  The spirit of this city and this nation will not be defeated; our deeply rooted faith sustains us.

The Survivor Tree

The memorial museum is an interactive chilling chronology of the days, weeks, and years that followed the bombing.  As one walks from room to room, chapters unfold outlining the chaos of that day.  The Gallery of Honor is the museum’s most beautiful room, honoring the lives of the 168 who were killed.  Families of the victims display personal photographs and memorabilia of their loved ones, while interactive computers provide personal stories.

I would encourage everyone to visit this memorial if possible.  It will forever change you.

From Oklahoma, we drove on to Ohio to spend Christmas with parents and on to Indianapolis to spend time with a sister and her family.  Giving the parents a break, we headed to Illinois to visit a brother and family, along with a good friend.  The first night there I came away with a bruised knuckle, thumb and knee, reminding me that I am not as young as I once was and that air hockey, rip riders and pogo sticks are probably best left for the young!

Another must-see when in Ohio is the National Museum of the United States Air Force, containing three large galleries covering aircraft from World War II through our current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  A short side tour can be taken onto the active air force base to view Air Force One planes throughout the years, as well as a Research and Development wing.  A Missile and Space Gallery rounds out the newer additions to the museum.

B-29 Superfortress

B-24 Liberator

After the first of the new year, we stole away for a couple of days to visit friends in Columbus, Terry’s very dear friend from high school (how many of us keep in touch with friends from that far back) and his lovely wife.

Terry & Doug

Donna & Lu

Oklahoma family photos:

The Whole Gang

Grandkids

A Day at the Science Museum

The Ohio and Indianapolis crowd:

The Illinois clan:

Some action shots of the nephews and niece and a wonderful reminder of special memories we all hold dear of Christmas – the smiles of children.

Paige on her Pogo Stick

Blake on his Rip Rider

My oldest nephew and godson, Seth, did not participate in the above festivities but challenged me to a game of Air Hockey (what was I thinking?!) and could take credit for me sporting a black-and-blue knuckle and thumb for several days.  Needless to say, I got trounced!

It was a bittersweet trip back to Mexico, given the time spent with family and friends, but we had to remind ourselves that they are just a phone call or plane flight away.  Here is hoping that all of you have some beautiful memories of the holidays, with family and friends at the center.

May 2011 bring us all peace and prosperity and an abundance of blessings!