Really quick update – we are home from Missouri. Rappy took her fall just as we were leaving for Aaron’s graduation from Basic Combat Training (BCT) at Ft. Leonard Wood. The vet saw her quickly and had to keep her as you know. It was a good thing as mechanical meningitis set in from the injury.
Graduation was great – photos and such to follow. Aaron looked awesome as you can see. It was good to see him and spend time with him. Good that he got to have a chance for long private talks with Sara (his girlfriend). Also good that Mike’s parents joined us there to see the graduation.
As for Rappy, she’s improved. She stood up on her own and took a few steps Saturday. I called the vet and I can come pick he up at 9am after her PT treatment. I do have discharge instructions for her they want to go over.
THEN I have work today on the evening shift. So good thing I slept most of yesterday – 6 hours on the drive and all night. Yes, it was an emotionally exhausting week. However everything seems to be heading in a positive direction now.
Here’s the trip south. Chicago doesn’t have traffic early on Sunday mornings. This was about 7:30 am. There’s the WIllis tower (formerly the Sears tower) in the center. It’s rare to see the interstate so empty.
Mike drove most of the 13 hours to my parents. I drove the 9 hours to Montgomery Alabama from my parents. Needless to say last week doing the trip there and back plus the driving about to cemeteries and peoples homes – I spent a lot of time in the car. No matter how great the audio books are or how many channels we got on Sirius, it gets boring being the passenger or driver. I must acknowledge as a passenger I did more than my share of sleeping. Still when I got bored I picked up my camera when a passenger and at stops to share the experience with you. Here’s the photo gallery of 44 hours on the road.
Last week I made a trip to Alabama with my mother. The point was genealogy research. Her father, John Hollis Rolen’s next younger brother, Milas, settled in Alabama after World War II. We went to connect with his descendants. Boy were we beneficiaries of true Southern Hospitality! We stayed with Milas’s son Milas aka Doodle and his lovely wife Miriam. Peggy, Doodle’s sister, showed us around and made arrangements to meet her kids and their kids and their kids… Then Doodle took us about Wetumpka to see the town and do research in the library.
It was a very productive trip. I’m busy with information. Apparently Doodle’s great grandfather a Confederate fought our great uncle Union Calvary at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I’m working on their service records to be sure they were there with their units then. Also got a huge box of pictures from Mike’s mother to scan. I’m set this winter for genealogy.
Don’t worry Comic book fans – I’m reading and have arcs as well as single issue stories to comment upon. Those will be coming.
Jewelry/crafting – hold on I’ve got sets I need to photograph. Bought lots of beads in Bama so new works in process. Also doing some pins for winter. On top of all of that I’ve got a class on how to make wire wrap rings. So more coming on the crafting front.
Finally I’m collecting photos to write a farewell to my good friend Sandra Jean Brown. She died Saturday after a long heroic battle with cancer. I’m sad for selfish reasons because I’m going to miss her light in the world. Honestly she’s free now and I couldn’t wish anything better for her. Still I wish she could be free AND we could still meet every 6 months with Kathy to have a great girls weekend. Until later Sandy – I miss you.
Now we return to our Waukegan Trip. The Haines Museum in Bowen Park opened and we got to tour it. It’s operated by the Waukegan Historical Society. This home was originally built as a one room cabin to go with the farm that is now Bowen Park. Over the years with various owners it was added onto it until it because the Victorian home you see now.
Mayor Hull of Chicago and his family lived there as their summer home until the great fire then lived there full time. I learned that back then there were yearly elections for mayor. CAN YOU IMAGINE YEARLY ELECTIONS? Always being bombarded by the campaign trail, all the calls from the various parties and interests groups. The constant ads… it’d never end. The mayor would never be a leader but a figure head and it’d open up for another machine that stayed in tact to actually run the city. Oh wait… that’s what happened in the Chicago Political Machine.
Okay back to the house, it’s restored to its Victorian period to go with the architecture. It was the center of the Bowen Country Club. Here is where the children would be taught the ways of society. It was thought part of the barrier of improving oneself was not understanding the societal norms of table manners, dances, polite conversation, etc. I think honestly some that still holds true today knowing how to behave in the boardroom as well as the local bar is key to advancement. Today there is a room dedicated to the club and those kids it helped in so many ways not just the social graces classes in the house.
None of the items in the house are from the original owners. They are from the correct time period and exemplify the types of things the home would have contained in this 1870s time period. The last addition was the red parlor, a more formal parlor, and the master bedroom. The master bedroom now contains a bed and settee set that Abraham Lincoln used during his visit to Waukegan. The room is dedicated to him.
There were exhibits to the Waukegan area residents Alfred Gustafson and James Elsbury who died on the Titantic. There was an exhibit honoring Waukegan son Jack Benny, which explained why there was a Jack Benny art center (where the unhelpful lady was). There was also a time line of Waukegan events including when their town got curb side recycling! YAY! From there I’ve added the Genesee Theater as a place I want to visit for a photo post.
Also I noticed that all their doors were painted red. I had to get photos of each one to add to my red door collection! Heck some day I might make a poster of doors to sanctuary – all red doors I’ve photographed. I have to say of all the doors my favorite one on the Haines Museum was the servant’s door with the aged screen. Some doors to sanctuary aren’t ornate but are well used.
Let’s take a break from our trip to Waukegan to go back to the weekend before. That weekend we went to a place my has been wanting to go for year – the Russell Military Museum. It’s a local single owner place where the guy collects old military equipment. He used to lease/rent it out to the large movie studios but CGI has quickly done away with most of that. The last movie he leased to was Transformers 3. Just don’t get the offers with the computer graphics as they are today.
Mike was thrilled with the place and talked it up the following week. I’m not as into equipment as he is so for me touring a restored Victorian house or art museum is more thrilling but I appreciate both. As does he for that matter, just he prefers the equipment and I prefer the other. Different strokes for favorites but the ability to appreciate something else too – that’s what makes the world go ’round.
I found it interesting and vaguely sad. Much of it is in various states of decay. I pondered how many dead or dying men saw these walls as their last things in life. I thought of the tension and the fear that permeated the sheer steel of the structures. Now peacefully sitting in flowers. I didn’t say it to my military husband I did secretly hope that someday all weapons of war would so retire. I know it’ll not happen, never happen humans aren’t built that way. Still I wish.
It was interesting to see it all (laughed at the Dog Doo-Doo Disguised Transmitter) and gave me much fodder for the lens. Be sure to click on an image below and hop over to my Flickr account to see MUCH more.
Last photo post left you on the Road To No Where also known as the Amstutz Expressway or IL-137. We were on the odd road heading to Bowen Park in Waukegan. We’ve commented on the park for years as we’ve passed. It’s restored Victorian house up front, the rolling hills and gardens, the use of its other building and sporting facilities have always caught our eye. We’ve talked several times of going down there to see just what it offered and touring the house. That was our agenda this Saturday before the University of Tennessee versus Florida game.
Oh my, she wasn’t much help.
We pulled in and weren’t sure where to begin. He headed down to the Jack Benny Arts center. There it appears they have a place for the performing arts. However we weren’t to learn much about the place. The lady behind the counter wasn’t very helpful and seemed put out that we didn’t know how the park operated. She kept her arms crossed over he chest the whole time, dismissed the idea there was more to tour than the house as if seeing well kept historical buildings and a museum sign didn’t suggest that maybe all were open. She didn’t offer to explain what the art center was or if there was something to see there. After struggling to get any useful information we learned the house was the historical societies and opened in twenty minutes. With that she turned her back to us to tend the stack of mail. Being so dismissed we wandered out into the sunny day and beautiful landscape.
What we learned wandering, reading plaques, and later from the helpful AND friendly historical society gentleman was that Bowen Park park has long been a park. Originally it was purchased by a family from New York City and was a farm for years. Then a Mr. Buck purchased the place, he was a forward thinker and wanted to designate the area as a park preserve for the town of Waukegan. Now the town thought this was strange because this was just a farm out in a large swath of farmland between Waukegan and Chicago. We’re talking pre-Civil War era. However Mr. Buck was convinced that an area needed to be preserved because the growth of both would one day meet and such areas would be needed. However, his idea didn’t fly.
It was then purchased by a Chicago Mayor and his wife. Well they used it as a summer home to get out of the heat of the city until the great fire. Then while Chicago was rebuilding they lived there full time. Along the way it was owned by Louise Decoven Bowen was a Decoven of the affluent Decoven of Racine, live here long enough you get to know the names. Upon her husband’s death she thought it’d be nice to bring underprivileged children from Chicago out to the country to get fresh air, do outdoor play, and learn things to help them get ahead in society. She’d spent years working with such families and saw the need for the children. The Bowen Country Club was born. Not a Country Club like we think of but club in the country for underprivileged children to get out of the sooty city and enjoy the countryside. The land was converted from farming to this park use. That’s really when the root of the park design started. The idea was Buck’s, the basis was Bowen.
This club officially ran from 1912 – 1963. That was when the dorms and cottages were finished and opened. Before them she hosted small groups in her home and out buildings. When the club closed the land was converted to a park for Waukegan. By then Mr. Buck’s idea didn’t seem so odd. The growth of Chicago and Waukegan proved to meet as he had predicted and this was a green gem in middle of them.
Today many of the buildings from the Country Club are still used for various activities. The Lilac Cottage houses a library and class rooms for the arts. Other buildings serve as offices for the park department or historical society. It’s still a place to get away from the city and enjoy the land. Judging from the children’s garden we found it’s still a refuge that caters to children. We eventually sat down on a bench and listened to the drumming circle. We watched children enjoy rolling down a little hill in front of us while a family set up a pavilion for their family reunion that day. All in all I think Mr. Buck and Mrs. Bowen would be pleased by the park’s usage today.
Mike wearing UT orange, driving his 1966 Mustang with the top down.
It’s become the weekend tradition to go somewhere local on the weekend and do something. This suits Mike fine, he’s a go-and-see type of guy. It suits me well as I have to collect ideas, images, and such for posts here M-F. It’s become known as collecting Blog Food. Lately the weather has been grand and these outings are taken in the Mustang with her top down. Doesn’t do much for my hair but makes these jaunts all the more special and enjoyable.
This past weekend one of the places we went was in Waukegan, Illinois. Not far from here just south a bit between Kenosha and the Navy Base. On the way there we always take the Amstutz Expressway. This always struck me as an odd road. It’s about three miles long. It is a divided four lane highway with limited access that passes a downtown that isn’t congested. I pondered the purpose of it and questioned locals about why it existed.
Seems like it was a pork barrel project over all. It was intended to connect to more but the southern neighboring town of North Chicago didn’t build their part. Then industry that was there closed down and moved so the road lost it’s connection and purpose. It isn’t much traveled now, just a handful of cars any time I’ve been on it. It is more known now as a place to shoot car commercials and movies.
Some of the movies shot there were Groundhog Day (when they were stuck on the interstate), Batman Begins (great place for car chases), Ice Harvest (set in Kenosha filmed in Illinois), Blues Brothers (chase scene and awesome movie in general), Planes Trains & Automobiles (“I’ve got my hand between two pillows”) and Transformers (not sure if it was 1, 2, 3, or a combo of them). So chances are you’ve seen the road to no where on the big screen.
As you can see not a lot of traffic here. BUT it is complete with ramps to over passes, look on the right and you’ll see one.
If you’ve not seen those movies then you’ve definitely seen it in car ads where a car drives on the empty interstate while the voice over tells you how great it is. Usually that shot is accompanied by a warning about a closed course with professional driver. Those warnings always have Mike asking me why they put that there when we’ve driven that road just like that? I dunno Mike, I dunno. Maybe the road isn’t crowded because only those who can drive as well as professionals dare to take it?
The nickname of “road to no where” is what the locals call it. I find it kind of a romantic and spooky name. I’ve cruised the road to no where in both directions and lived to tell the tale. If you ever find yourself in north eastern Illinois you too can do the same.
Until next time.
There are several styles of overpasses on the short distance to give movie and commercial producers choices of back drops.Still going no where but there’s a bridge style overpass.If you are going to cruise to no where it’s best to do it in a classic car with the top down. Best way to go no where fast and enjoy the ride.
A few weekends ago it was pleasant weather and I suggested we go out in the Mustang for a drive. Mike, being an engineer, can’t just go out for a drive to see where the road goes – he needs a destination. He got on his laptop and soon announced he was ready to go, bring my camera. Well d’uh when do I not bring my camera on weekend outings? Really you’d think he doesn’t know me saying that.
We filled up the Mustang and took off down the road. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be making pictures of on the drive so I snapped away at things that flew past. He had a mysterious note he referred to periodically then would make a turn. Soon we were in Wadsworth Illinois, then we turned on Dilleys Road. Then I saw it! A wall with Egyptian hieroglyphics!
I love Egyptology! Ever since I was a kid I’ve found it so interesting. I took several classes in basic Egyptian hieroglyphics at the local museum. I was just curious to understand how that lovely picture writing worked. Now I can with some effort and a reference book read most Middle Kingdom stuff – and Old Kingdom and some Late. So when Mike found this as a roadside site to see that was near us he knew I had to see it!.
We pulled off so I could get out and make photos! I soon learned this was the Golden Pyramid House and you can tour it. We have to go sometime and Mike promised we’d do our best. There’s a few things coming up that might make it late October or early November. Until then you’ll have to be happy with what we could see from the road. As always you can click on any photo to be taken to my Flickr account and surf more photos from the day!
Let me explain without getting to personal – I’m having some minor medical issues, nothing too serious but needs tending. I’ve been working through the appointments to have a procedure that’s the first step to address some of the issue. Let me tell you getting insurance, doctors of various disciplines, hospital departments, and our schedule to all work together is a big job. Finally I’ve got the schedule date then to back schedule all the pre-op stuff… that was completed yesterday. It’s takes about as much planning as the D-Day invasion!
Also planning a week long genealogy research trip to Tennessee and Alabama. On the way dropping Mike off at his parents and picking up my mother. Which means I have to hire care for the felines and canine family members, make arrangements for garden care, and all that stuff. Also helping Aaron get settled in while dealing with his house being robbed. I’m still keeping up with my class and writing while preparing for craft fair season.
With all that, everyday life, and generally feeling icky because I need to get that procedure – I’ve fallen a bit behind. I think I should be caught up shortly now that I’m not spending eternity on the phone or in a waiting room. I have a list of topics I want to write about: Pricing jewelry, story of Miss Mo my kitty, photo post of military museum tour, photo post of the golden pyramid house, completed comic book arcs, and a few more topics. So there’s a preview of what’s to come as soon as I’m not so far behind that I have to look up to see my own tushie.
In the meantime enjoy the serene beauty of yet another rose from our visit to Leu Gardens in Orlando last October.
I’ve got many posts drafted but none ready to publish. I’ve got tonnes of photos but not sorted. I’ve got two class assignments to do. I’ve got a new shipment of comics arriving. I’ve had appointments all day so enjoy my photo of this rose from Leu Gardens in Orlando. I’ll be back tomorrow once I’ve caught up!
Mary Louise Eklund 