Summer Pictures from Illinois, July 2010

One of the things that is nice about being in Illinois in the summer is being able to catch the nephews and the nieces doing "their thing".  Over the last couple of weeks, I was able to see Matt's older girls swimming over at Roger's house. 

Last night, I got to pickup Ali and Skyler from Ali's volleyball practice (the red shirt pic at the top) out at ISC and take her to her cheer practice in Roscoe.  We of course HAD to stop for ice cream at Culvers on the way home to Grandma C's.  LOL

Downtown LaGrange Art Festival, July 10-11, 2010

I followed a tiny sliver of the moon over to the Chicago area early Saturday morning.  The colors of dawn on the eastern horizon were gorgeous--even at 5:00 a.m. which is about the time I made it to the turn south at O'Hare.  I am still getting used to the Chicago highways--make that the construction zones on the Chicago highways, so, I hoped I would not have any big delays making my 5:50 a.m. check-in time for the craft show. 

I got to my spot, unloaded the van and turned to introduce myself to my neighbors only to find the promoter  had put me right next to candlemakers.  Argh.  That necessitated a half hour delay while I explained the issue to a promoter with decades of show experience--someone who should KNOW this.  I was moved down one spot--which honestly did  not do any good.  Later I found she had another candlemaker three booths down on the other side of me--so that is three highly scented booths in 60 feet of linear space.  That is not fair to anyone of us and I will do the education thing in a letter to try to make sure it doesn't happen again.

The show itself was really nice.  LaGrange is a nice town with only one problem--very little parking downtown.  The artists all had to park over a mile away and be bussed to the show.  This was a problem for those of us used to bringing big roller carts, coolers, generators and tote boxes with us each day.  You cannot fit any of those things down the narrow aisles of a school bus easily.   LOL 

I was next to a jeweler from Crystal Lake, Karolyn, who was super busy with her regular customers.  She had a great following--she had good prices and lots of variety.  We chatted when things were slow and ended up trading soap for earrings.  On the other side I had a gal from West Chicago who did natural stone coasters--I liked my spot and my neighbors!

Saturday night after dinner with a couple crafters, I tried to find a way to wile away a few hours until it cooled down enough to camp in the van.  I ended up at the local theater to watch the Tom Cruise/Cameron Diaz movie, "Knight and Day".  It was fun and the whole audience seemed to get into the silliness of the movie.  A nice, light way to spend the evening. 

Sunday afternoon right before packup brought some clouds and we knew from the  radar there was rain coming.  I was able to get my soap all tarped, the tent down and in my tote boxes before getting down to the bus stop for the long wait to the crafter parking.  By the time I got back it had rained, and it rained the whole time packing the van and on the drive from LaGrange to about Woodstock on I-90.  But, all in all a nice show and one I will probably keep on my schedule for 2011. 

The Roadtrip back to Illinois, June 30 -July 2, 2010

On Wednesday morning it was time to get on the road again.  We had time for a couple of pictures before we left, but, someone (who shall remain nameless) wasn't ready for Prime Time yet!  So, above is Dad and Uncle Bruce and below is a good family friend of Bruce and Suz, Carol Maynard.  She stopped and visited my booth so often during the Arts Festival I almost put her to work.  But, now that I think about it, she gave so many testimonials about the soap while she sat with us that I probably owe her a paycheck! 

On the drive out of Tooele we got a shot north of the city proper, but, you can get an idea of the views we were treated to each day.  From Bruce and Suz's kitchen we had this kind of view on two sides (and from the front of the house) and from the other side was the Great Salt Lake!

As usual we didn't have the camera ready for the view coming out of Salt Lake, but, the picture taken from a scenic view in Park City gives you a glimpse.   You can just make out some  of the ski runs from this view.  Wouldn't it have been fun to be there in 2002 when Bode Miller won his two medals???

Besides the mountain, foothills, wind turbines and the antelope, the other main feature we were intrigued by coming out and going home were the snow fences along the way.  And not just the puny ones you are likely to see in the midwest--these were monsters.  Several lines of them and very, very tall.  I wish we had a shot that would show the perspective.  It really made you think twice about attempting this drive in the wintertime.  And it underscored the reason for all the interstate closure gates at different exits along Nebraska and Wyoming. 

The final treat on the second day of driving was a long time coming.  Bruce had recommended we stop in the farming town of Kearney, Nebraska--which honestly reminded me more of a college town!!!  So, we decided to push and make it for lunch.  We drove around looking for a cute place for lunch and finally found the Tru Cafe in downtown Kearney.  It had good food, cold ice tea and even a little shopping spot--perfect for  Mom and me.  Then I decided to take  Mom out to the monument we passed while she was sleeping--one I had never heard of before--The Platte River Archway.  It was beautiful and maybe on another trip we can spend more time there.  I was trying to get a picture of the gorgeous metal sculpture on the top, but, the afternoon sun was killing the shots.

So, we finally made it to Rockford about 4 p.m. on Friday.  We tried to run the vehicle through a carwash, but, either I REALLY suck trying to do a carwash or the  carwash REALLY sucked...because the vehicle  had to be washed once by Dad and then run through a different carwash the next day! 

Ofir, Utah, June 29, 2010

We were able to get away on Tuesday morning to check out Bruce and Susan's camping spot up at Ophir--which is south of Tooele.  I have seen pictures from my Mom and Sister from years past, but, honestly nothing compares to actually being there.  I told Bruce he would have to evict me if Rod and I  ever were able to spend sometime up there. 

                                      

Ophir is one of the oldest communities in Utah and like many there, it got its start thanks to mining.  Today there are around 20 permanent residents with that number swelling to both part-year residents and visitors when it starts to warm up.  I think I would have to stay permanently, in fact--with the closest post office about 15 miles away and satellite internet--I could keep making soap!

The day we went  up, Mom was not feeling well so Bruce, Dad, Susan and I made the drive.  It was a beautiful warm  day with that Utah "breeze" blowing.  We checked out the little store, the park and most of the permanent houses.  Then we drove up to "Casa Cummings".  

                                               

                                       

Bruce and Susan both give tours of the historic village--the rock Jail was kept in it's original spot and then as other building were donated, they moved into spots in the village. All of the houses were restored with as many originals as they could find and family members of the original residents helped out.  Below are some pictures of the village:

Perhaps nothing tells the story here better than the next picture.  This place is very diverse...in the picture below is the Town Hall in the center sitting next to a new residence to the left--and let's just say they are both lovely in their own right.  

                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                           

I can't quite remember what we were trying to look at here, but, the there is no shortage of scenery, old mines and cool stuff to check out.  I do hope Rod and I can come up here some summer and explore!

     

Tooele Arts Festival, June 25-27, 2010

My Aunt Susan has been the director of the Arts Festival for quite a while.  In fact, Uncle Bruce and Cousin Brian and the whole rest of Susan's family (brother and three sisters and their families) are all involved to some extent along with a bevy of Tooele residents who give nearly 6+ months of their time to put on this three day, free event. 

Dad, Cousin Brian, Mom and Me!

When we got to Tooele on Wednesday, Bruce and the volunteer crew were down at the park marking booth spaces while Dad sat and enjoyed the gorgeous views and the weather.  Thursday, was set-up day, so Susan had a bunch of pieces (tables, baking rack and lots of table linens, baskets and greenery) I could use to make a display.  About noon we headed down to the park to find that Bruce had already got my tent put up and staked down.  Which was a good thing as the wind was whipping through the park at a pretty good clip.  Have I mentioned the wind yet?  I thought Florida had wind, but, alas no.  Those warm, balmy sea breezes are just that!  Oh, and the other thing that differs out in Utah--it is very, very dry.  My contacts were almost brittle and my throat needed lots of water to keep happy!  These are all things that people assured me that you get used to--like the humidity in Florida, I am sure!!!

So, after the booth was set up, and I think it turned out really nice, we helped out around the park with the last minute things that needed to be done.  Things that we couldn't mess up too bad anyway.  LOL  Then Susan had made dinner for the volunteer crew and we were invited so we enjoyed a nice pasta dinner at the park. 

Friday I did really well for a three day show, and I was impressed by the crowd that came out.  Apparently Tooele's government agencies work mostly a four day week, so, we had lots of families out enjoying the weather, the entertainment and the artwork.  I constantly had either Bruce or Susan escorting Art Fest volunteers into the booth, and then later, the committee members of the various boards and groups that both of them support in the community made their way to my booth.  It was also nice that my soap was featured in an advertisement in the local paper.  I really appreciated the extra effort they made on my behalf and I am happy to say my soap sales for all three days was really great. 

Mom and Dad with their new vase and artist, George Elmer

We had great weather all three days, just a bit of that wind I talked about on Friday.  The quality of the artists was pretty nice--when I had a chance to walk I found two potters and one woodworker I might buy from and a gal from California had some beautiful pressed flower "paintings" that were gorgeous!

The entertainment was also pretty wonderful.  Behind my booth on the southeast side of the park a big beer tent was set up in the pavilion  with a small stage.  I loved the acts playing on this stage--perfect for sitting down with some of your buddies and spending a few hours (or just listening with one ear from my tent!).  The big stage on the northwest side of the park had more entertainment.  Especially on Saturday night when the "Neil Diamond" look-a-like was performing.  Susan was especially happy being in the front row to enjoy the show--and that guy sounded just like the real Neil.   From the excited reports after the show, he had down all the moves too! 

Susan and Mom enjoy "Neil Diamond"

By Sunday the crew of volunteers was happy to be nearing the end of the show...I offered to make clones of each to get them through, but they did just fine bringing the show to its conclusion.  Sunday the pack out went just fine and the volunteers had things wrapped up pretty much by dark.  Susan said some of the usual "crisis" things happened--the pizza wagon brought down an overhead electrical wire, the beer had taps but no CO2 canisters and something happened with the scheduling--but all in all it was a great festival both for the community of Tooele and the artists participating. 

Roadtrip to Utah, June 21-23, 2010

Well, I was on the road again...this time with my Mom to make the trip out to Tooele, Utah for the 25th Annual Tooele Arts Festival.  Dad was able to get a doctor's pass on the drive out--he was flying out on Wednesday on American Eagle from Ohare to Salt Lake City.  So, Mom and I were the designated drivers and we were planning on making it fun.

But, first I had to be "restrained" from making the trip into a drive-fest.  Mom put her foot down when I explained I wanted to do it in two ten hour days.  She was adamant, and it was her vehicle we were taking, so I guess you know who prevailed on that argument!!!  It turned out to be the right decision.  Two hours on and then two hours off was a pleasure after making two solo trips to Illinois from  Florida and one return trip AND a 15.5 hour each way trip to Virginia earlier in the month.  

It has been a long time since Rod and I made the drive out west on I-80 and can I say what a great roadtrip it is--in the summer.  Light traffic, great roads with little in the way of construction and you can even go 80 miles an hour (five over the posted 75 limit) for most of the way.  Throughout Iowa and Nebraska we saw lots of the big wind turbines--I know there are some that don't like them--but I love their stark simplicity and that we don't have to dig, pump or otherwise injure the Earth to get this clean energy  In Nebraska I was tempted to go faster since I saw their posted fines for speeding at the rest stops--only $20 for going 10 over the limit and double that in a construction zone.  What a refreshing change from Florida's speeding fines--which I make sure to avoid at all costs!

Mom and I got a good start on Monday morning--leaving about 10:15 a.m.  We made it to a cute rest area in Iowa for  our lunch picnic and as far as York, Nebraska when it was time to stop for the day.  We stayed in a nice Comfort Inn with newish linens, nice clean rooms and a great breakfast.  It was the second time I had sausage gravy  over biscuits in a week...but I LIKED it.  Lots of good protein choices too--so not your typical carb loaded "free continental breakfast". 

Overnight, we had a bad wind storm blow through which woke Mom up about 1:15 a.m.  I didn't hear it until 2:30 when she bumped into my bed and jolted me awake.  I seriously thought the roof was gonna be ripped off and we would end up diving for cover in the bathroom or the hallway.  The next morning, the only damage we could see was a two foot downspout which had been ripped off the building front. 

The next days driving rivaled the first--we had beautiful farm country with rolling hills through most of Iowa and into Nebraska.  By the next day we were starting to see buttes and other other geological "mountainy" looking rock formations.   It started to get less green just about the time these rock formations and mini-mountains started showing up, so, we were thrilled with the landscapes.  We stopped for our picnic lunch in western Nebraska and were met by two bus loads of Menonite (maybe) boys and girls who were obviously out for a field trip or something.  I wish I had talked to some of the girls while we were waiting in line at the rest stop.

We made it into Rawlins, Wyoming by late afternoon and were thrilled with the little town's hotel choiced.  We settled on a Oak Tree Court (we had a discount travel coupon) and got a third floor room that was excellent, clean and a great free breakfast at the attached Penny's Diner.  We tried to see a movie, but, wer were too late.  So, we tried to shop but the towns cute shopping district downtown was already closed--so instead we found a few items in the Pamida discount store before hitting the local Taco Johns for dinner--my choice, we don't have them in Florida and I miss them so much.  Then we settled in to watch Deadliest Catch on the tube before going to sleep.

Oh, we saw hundreds of deer (maybe they were mule deer--not sure) and antelope during the drive through Wyoming.  They were tough to spot in some cases, but, they sure kept you awake trying to find them.

The next morning after our delicous Penny's breakfast, we hit the road again to tackle the hardest driving--we were getting closer to the mountains leading to Salt Lake City and with that came the most spectacular views.  We should have stopped for more pictures, but, of course we just shot pics from the moving car.  The fact that any of them turned out good enough to post here is due more to the wealth of views than our camera skills. 

We finally made it into Tooele by 3 p.m.--an easy drive it turned out with little traffic and no problems on the steeper grades--and found Dad had made it in safe and sound.  Uncle Bruce and Aunt Susan were in the final stages of preparing for the Arts Festival while Cousin Brian was working in Elko, Nevada until Friday.

Libertyville Illinois Craft Festival, June 18-20, 2010

What fun this one was!  Other than the whole almost getting blown away on Friday...TWICE!

When I pulled up to Cook Memorial Park on Friday morning I was thrilled to see my wood friends, Jeff and Deb, in the tent next to mine.  We were under some big trees which were providing nice shade...which was gonna be nice since it was hot!  I was mostly set up by noon, which was the official start time!

However by 3:30, Julie the organizer had come around to say "IT" was about an hour out.  "IT" turned out to be some nasty winds that in other parts of the greater Chicago area took out trees, power lines and produced BIG hail.  So, all in all, we were lucky.

Despite the "no stake" policy in the park, we were allowed to put down our straps as long as we stayed clear of the sprinkler lines.  Which was lucky, because just as I was zipping up my tent front, a huge gust of wind took out several tents and caused the soaper across the park to loss nearly all her products.  It continued to rain and blow for over an  hour.  When it settled down, several of us decided to go grab dinner and then come back and see if we could salvage any of the evening hours.  By 7:30 it was clear we couldn't.

Saturday morning was the parade.  It was quite a big production, running about 2 hours.  Lots of floats, bands--even one from Georgia, balloons and kids trying to catch candy being thrown about.  Here's some pics of my favorite things--notice no politicians, no "right-to-lifers" and anything that was remotely trying to get me to take sides :

Saturday and Sunday both were clear and cooler, so, the show turned out to be a nice one after all.  Julie was so attentive during the show even thanking us for coming on Friday night.  It was a pleasure to do the show and I hope to come back next year!