Back to my roots

I recently returned from a wonderful trip to the Midwest which included: a visit with my sister-in-law Sharon in Grand Junction, Michigan; a get-together with some of my Sudoku friends in Battle Creek, Michigan; a short but adventure-packed stay in Chicago; a four-day slumber party with my long-time friends Karlith, Carol and Sue in Huntley, Illinois; and a fabulous 50th high school reunion celebration in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Saturday, September 12 - I landed at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport in the afternoon, picked up my rental car and headed for Michigan where I spent three nights with my sister-in-law Sharon. Although we spent much of the time reminiscing, we also were able to do some packing and sorting, getting Sharon ready for her move to Oklahoma where her daughter Cassandra and family have built a lovely little home for her on their farm.

Sunday, September 13 - While in Michigan, I had a chance to meet with several of my friends from the Sudoku.com.au website: Shiela, Debby and Debby’s daughter Angi from Eastern Michigan, Mary and her sister Sue who drove up from the Chicago area, and Plum and her daughter Starr from Southwest Michigan. The food at Clara’s (a unique restaurant in a restored, historic train station in Battle Creek) was great, and the company was fabulous. The only things missing from this gathering were tiaras and boas. Yikes! What were we thinking? This lapse in judgment just might get us banned from the site!

This beautiful lake, a short walk from Sharon’s house, is one of several lakes in the neighborhood.

Debby, Angi, Mary, Sue, Shiela, Plum and Jane delicately trampling the flowerbed outside Clara’s restaurant.

caption: Although our get-together was short and sweet, Plum’s dessert was definitely TALL and sweet!

Wednesday, September 16 - I drove to Chicago, checked into the Days Inn on Diversey Parkway and set out on foot to “rediscover” the city where I’d spent many happy years.

One of the first things I noticed on my walk, however, was this reminder of why I am so happy to be living in my little subtropical paradise.

Here are a couple of pictures of an apartment building in the Lincoln Park area of the city where I lived for several years.

I was glad to see that “The Four Farthings” bar and grill was still located on the first floor (it opened while I was living here in the mid 60’s)…

…and amazed to see that the little grocery store kitty-corner from the apartment building is still in business and owned by the same family!!!

I’d forgotten how lush and green everything is in the city in the summer/early fall. (I guess it’s because most of my memories of Chicago involve snow and ice!!!)

On my walk, I discovered this adorable little store which I first thought was a bakery…

…the window filled with delectable pastries…

…but then noticed the name of the establishment and realized all these “confections” were actually meat-based meals! The owner of the shop gave me a sample of the meatloaf and mashed potatoes (looked like a cupcake with white frosting), and it was delicious!!

Meandering south towards the Loop, I took this picture from the Lakeshore Drive crossover at North Avenue Beach.

My beloved Lake Michigan…

…put on a show for me, as waves crashed against the breakwater.

HEY, WAIT A MINUTE!!! WHAT TH’ HECK ARE PALM TREES DOING IN CHICAGO????? This picture was taken at the north end of Oak Street Beach, where I spent many a summer lunch hour years ago. (I worked in that building with the antenna on top – when it was known as the Palmolive Building and was the tallest building on North Michigan Avenue! Now, of course, it’s dwarfed by the Hancock and other super high-rises.

The palms, by the way, were planted a few years ago. They're dug up in the fall and apparently stored at the Lincoln Park Conservatory for the winter.

Another pleasant surprise was the “Oak Street Beachstro”, a cute little restaurant where I enjoyed a raspberry daiquiri and a bowl of clam chowder.

Here’s another view of the lake from the “beachstro”…

and another view of the palm trees…

Next on my agenda was the main purpose of my trip: my 50th high school reunion!!!

Thursday, September 17 - After returning my rental car from the first portion of my trip, I met my old childhood buddy Carol at O’Hare airport for our trek to the suburbs. We then picked up my second rental car (don’t ask – it’s complicated!!!) and drove out to Huntley, Illinois to the home of our friend Karlith who was hosting the four-day slumber party! Sue, the fourth member of the “girls’ club” was already at Karlith’s awaiting our arrival. This was the first time in eight years that the four of us had gotten together! By the way, I wish to interject here that Karlith’s hubby Ed deserves to be awarded the Nobel “Peach” Prize for not only putting up with our raucous revelry but also for actually seeming to enjoy our company and taking pictures of us!

Here are the “girls” at breakfast…

Friday, September 18 – On Friday, we drove to Crystal Lake (our old hometown) for a tour. The first photo is at a park that was called Walkup’s Woods when we lived there, then renamed “Veterans’ Acres”. To be honest, I don’t know if that’s still the name, but we, of course, will always refer to it as “Walkup’s Woods”. The pond is where I learned to ice skate. There used to be a warming house with a pot-bellied stove where I spent a lot of time thawing our my frozen toes!

Another place I spent a lot of time was the “El Tovar” movie theater (later modernized and renamed the “Lake” theater. I was very happy to notice on this trip that the theater has been restored to its former glory, as shown in the following picture of the interior.

Later in the day, we participated in the school’s Homecoming Parade, riding the antique fire truck owned by one of our former classmates. I guess my friend Sue, who took this picture, thought the back of my head looked better than the front, and who am I to argue the point?

Instead of attending the homecoming game that evening, we elected to hang out in a local pub with many of our old classmates. It was wonderful getting caught up with everyone!

Saturday, September 18 – THE BIG NIGHT! More than 80 classmates attended the reunion (plus about 50 spouses). This was a great turnout considering there only about 200 members in the class! It should be noted that Crystal Lake was quite a small town “way back then”, so most of us went all through the school system together – from kindergarten through high school.

The reunion committee hung lots of pictures from our childhood on the walls of the banquet facility. Here’s one of Miss Knox’ fourth grade homeroom (that’s me underneath the red arrow).

This was one of the cakes served at the party…

And here is a “formal” picture of the gang: Sue, Karlith, Jane and Carol!

Monday, September 20 – After spending the rest of the weekend sightseeing (the four of us took a drive up to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, on Sunday), we went our separate ways on Monday, vowing that we would not wait so long for another get-together!