Chicago with family in spring.

Chicago with Family in Spring

Well here we are in Chicago at the start of our long trip.  I want to share this amazing opportunity that we have for travel with as many friends as possible so will update this blog as often as I can. I will email my list when I update. I encourage anyone who wishes to add comments and share their travel or other experiences too. Then we can all benefit and learn from each other.
It is wonderful to see Reuben and Sharon and family again and of course Susannah and Frederick have grown even since we last saw them at Christmas. In particular they are now getting on very well together and Frederick is never so happy as when he can chase his sister around.

The family in the woods very near Reuben and Sharon's house - in fact so near that a deer wandered up their street the other day! There are lots of squirrels and chipmunks around as well as some nice birds - including a brilliant red cardinal.                                                                                     

 


         

                                                                                    

Sharon and Reuben live in Evanston about 35 minutes by train to downtown Chicago. They are about 2 kilometres from Lake Michigan. Their house was originally built by the lake in about 1890 but moved to it's present site around 1920 with better foundations. They renovated when they moved in and it's now a great family home. Since this picture was taken Reuben and Bob have replaced the front door to the foyer or mud room.  
One of Reuben's hobbies is furniture making which adds to their house.

Lily of the Valley is coming up everywhere - even between the pavement in Sharon and Reuben's garden. Don't think I'll try growing it again in Melbourne when I see where it adapts best!

      

The woods over the last 3 weeks, a week apart, since we've been here - getting greener and greener.

                                                                                    The maple tree in Sharon and Reuben's yard is         also coming into leaf.

 

Peonies getting ready to bloom. Sorry about shadow in first one but I think you can get the point!

It has been a late spring in Chicago - one of the latest ever - compared to one of the earliest ever last year. It was cold until we arrived 2 weeks ago. Since then we've had two very warm days in the late 20s and some cold days - around 10 - 12 degrees. Mostly it's been pleasant around the high teens. The change in the gardens has been amazing with the ones on the left and right above taken only a week apart. It's a special time of year and we feel fortunate to be here now. It seems that the ground is just waiting to burst forth as soon as the temperature allows it. And yes it's even been time to put up the hammock in the back yard.

CHICAGO BOTANICAL GARDENS

Reuben gave a talk at the Chicago Botanical Gardens to master gardeners about invasive plants. We went to the gardens with him. They are on the outskirts of Chicago and 385 acres in area. (read Huge!) They have 1800 volunteers - most of whom donate a day a week and help maintain the garden in a specific area. They had been covered in water and ice 2 weeks before we visited but the new growth and arrival of spring was evident.

                                         The Big Concert

We left Melbourne a couple of days earlier than originally planned so we could go to a Tom Rush concert - Bob's folk singing and writing guru from his folk singing days in the 60s. The concert was in quite a small venue and was great - and YES he got to meet him!

       A night in the City for Grandad, Grandma and Susannah.

We took Susannah to a "fancy hotel downtown" (her words) for the night. We took a river cruise down the Chicago river and out to the lake and then went to Magnolia - the cupcake shop. She chose blue with sparkles!

Double tulips and ornamental pears in bloom at Milleneum Park - huge park in Chicago where we spent most of a day.

The famous sculpture nicknamed the jellybean in Milleneum Park where you can see reflections from a distance - and up close. Lots of fun.

Right - The fountain at Milleneum Park with shallow water where children and adults can play. There are pictures of ordinary Chicagoans flashed on the pillars at the end continually which I find fascinating.


On the 98th floor of the Hancock building looking over the city and Lake Michigan.
Above - beautiful flowering tulips near Watergate tower on the Magnificent Mile in the city centre.

  

Down by the lake. It never ceases to amaze me how large the lake is - you can't see the other side - there is lots of sand and it is just like the ocean.It even has huge waves in storms.

Mothers Days 

Dominic flew in this afternoon. He's doing a course in corporate management in Chicago this week. He's using the education grant that he won last year for excellence in workcare in law. So 2 sons out of 3 is very good for me for mothers day.

We're off to New York tomorrow. Don't know how I'll say goodbye to the family. We'll miss the children so much after the last 2 1/2 weeks with them constantly. However we know new adventures await. I'll be in touch again soon. XXX