We slept late and then checked out of our downtown hotel. Took an Uber back to Skokie and the Hampton Inn. Brian flew in and cousin Terry picked him up at the airport. Then cousin Marilyn picked us up for lunch at a terrific deli in the Old Orchard Shopping Center. I had really good split pea soup and wished we had a good deli in Bluffton.
After a long lunch we returned to the hotel to rest. Lots of eating and resting on this trip. At 5:00 we drove to Marilyn's for dinner and good conversation along with a game of Trivial Pursuit. We had a lengthy discussion of the plans for visiting the cemeteries tomorrow. Then back to the hotel to sleep after watching a bit of TV news.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Walk, Don't Run
Tuesday morning in Chicago. Cool weather and a great day to stroll down Michigan Avenue to the Art Institute. Our hotel, the Hard Rock, is one block from the Chicago River on the corner of Michigan and Wacker. Elaine and I are walking past Millenium Park with the Bean to the museum. I purchased our tickets last night so we get in quickly and buy additional tickets for the Gaugain exhibit.
As we walk through the museum we stop to see three famous paintings. Picture of Dorian Gray, Hopper's Diner and Grant Wood's American Gothic.
The next two hours are spent looking at creations by Gaugain. Did not know about his sculptures and ceramics. He was certainly multi- talented. Still like his colorful tropical paintings best. After spending years in France he went to Tahiti and the Marquesa Islands where he drew the natives and flora.
After visiting the museum gift shops we met Jeff and Rick in the park and had a light lunch at an outdoor cafe near the famous "Bean."
Today is national ice cream sundae day at Ghiardelli Chocolate so Elaine and I indulged since the sundaes were half price.
Then back to the hotel to rest. Never left all night and didn't even eat dinner.
As we walk through the museum we stop to see three famous paintings. Picture of Dorian Gray, Hopper's Diner and Grant Wood's American Gothic.
The next two hours are spent looking at creations by Gaugain. Did not know about his sculptures and ceramics. He was certainly multi- talented. Still like his colorful tropical paintings best. After spending years in France he went to Tahiti and the Marquesa Islands where he drew the natives and flora.
After visiting the museum gift shops we met Jeff and Rick in the park and had a light lunch at an outdoor cafe near the famous "Bean."
Today is national ice cream sundae day at Ghiardelli Chocolate so Elaine and I indulged since the sundaes were half price.
Monday, July 24, 2017
Jeremiah was a Bull Frog...
Woke up to a chilly, windy day. Left our hotel in Skokie and took an Uber to downtown Chicago. Checked into the Hard Rock which is a great location on Michigan Avenue a block from the river. Jeff and I unpacked and then took an Uber to the Shedd Aquarium. We stood in line for 45 minutes to purchase tickets. It is a grand old building with huge tanks full of colorful fish and amphibians. We saw some neat frogs, toads and more and then had a quick lunch in one of the cafeterias. Saw some playful otters, seals and attended the dolphin show.
Had to leave by 2:30 to meet Rick and Elaine at the Chicago River. We took the 4:00 architectural boat tour given by a very knowledgeable docent. The tour was 90 minutes and went on several branches of the river. Lots of boat traffic with tour boats, water taxis and private craft. Even some brave kayakers. So many skyscrapers and interesting designs. Amazing!
In front the the Chicago Tribune building is a very large sculpture by Seward Johnson. It is Abraham Lincoln and a common man. The man is holding a paper with the Gettysburg address and Lincoln seems to be explaining it to him.
Lots of street art and sculptures in Chicago. Also Dogs on Parade with beautifully decorated dogs adorning the streets. Elaine and I posed with a police dog.
Afterwards we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. It is highly rated and most of the diners were Asian which is always a good sign. Food was excellent and we shared some yummy dishes. Afterwards we walked back to the hotel to collapse.
The Chicago skyline from the aquarium.
Had to leave by 2:30 to meet Rick and Elaine at the Chicago River. We took the 4:00 architectural boat tour given by a very knowledgeable docent. The tour was 90 minutes and went on several branches of the river. Lots of boat traffic with tour boats, water taxis and private craft. Even some brave kayakers. So many skyscrapers and interesting designs. Amazing!
In front the the Chicago Tribune building is a very large sculpture by Seward Johnson. It is Abraham Lincoln and a common man. The man is holding a paper with the Gettysburg address and Lincoln seems to be explaining it to him.
Lots of street art and sculptures in Chicago. Also Dogs on Parade with beautifully decorated dogs adorning the streets. Elaine and I posed with a police dog.
Afterwards we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. It is highly rated and most of the diners were Asian which is always a good sign. Food was excellent and we shared some yummy dishes. Afterwards we walked back to the hotel to collapse.
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Take to the Highway...
Thunder and lightening all night, but we slept well. Time to leave Louisville. We really like the city and so many things to see. Looks like a nice place to live and lots of big companies make their home here. Downtown has many Humana buildings as this is their home as well as UPS and Papa John's Pizza. Yum Corporation is the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut and they sponsor the big sports arena in town. The University of Louisville is also in the city and has a beautiful campus and sports stadiums. And then there is Churchill Downs and many bourbon distilleries. We liked seeing the hybrid taxis, solar powered trash compactors on the streets and electric buses that are free to ride in town. One of the hotels even has a gold replica of Michaelangelo's David.
Left in the rain and crossed the Ohio River into Indiana. About five miles down the road I realized I had left my camera battery plugged into a wall socket. Back we went to retrieve it and then started our trek again. The rain cleared in a while and we passed Indianapolis, Gary and Downtown Chicago by mid afternoon. Settled into our hotel in the northern suburbs and took a a nap.
Went to our favorite place, Cheesecake Factory, for dinner and our cousins Terry and Marilyn met us there. Sat and talked for two hours or more and now time for bed.
Left in the rain and crossed the Ohio River into Indiana. About five miles down the road I realized I had left my camera battery plugged into a wall socket. Back we went to retrieve it and then started our trek again. The rain cleared in a while and we passed Indianapolis, Gary and Downtown Chicago by mid afternoon. Settled into our hotel in the northern suburbs and took a a nap.
Went to our favorite place, Cheesecake Factory, for dinner and our cousins Terry and Marilyn met us there. Sat and talked for two hours or more and now time for bed.
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Summertime
Slept late and awoke to another hot day. This morning we will visit Churchill Downs. First stop was Wagner's for breakfast. We learned about this place on our trolley tour and that it has the best breakfast in town. Online it is touted as one of the 10 best diners in the US. It is cute with horse and derby photos lining the walls. We had eggs and delicious biscuits.
Now we go over to the track and into the Kentucky Derby Museum. We pay admission which includes the museum and a walking tour. We are not willing to wait around to take another more detailed tour. I tried on a fancy hat and we went to the paddock area and out to the rail by the track.
Lots of information about the races and the horses. There are plaques attached to the buildings with the names of every winner since the 1800's. Those who won the Triple Crown had their names in gold and a gold crown.
The track is very pretty with lovely flowers. Huge and completely packed for the derby each year. It is very hot today, 100 degrees and we were glad to go back inside. They have a great movie and we wandered around the museum for a while. Left and went to a bourbon tour place near our hotel. They were packed and a two hour wait for the tour which we decided not to do.
Had lunch at a nearby brewery where we sat using their wifi for quite a while and then back to take naps and hang out.
About 7:00 we walked a few blocks to the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner. I ordered an Old Fashioned which is made with bourbon and decided I am really not much of a drinker. Only sweet drinks appeal to me. We got to sit in the train which was in the middle of the floor.
Food was good and now we are back in our room watching TV and reading.
Tomorrow morning we leave for Chicago.
Now we go over to the track and into the Kentucky Derby Museum. We pay admission which includes the museum and a walking tour. We are not willing to wait around to take another more detailed tour. I tried on a fancy hat and we went to the paddock area and out to the rail by the track.
Lots of information about the races and the horses. There are plaques attached to the buildings with the names of every winner since the 1800's. Those who won the Triple Crown had their names in gold and a gold crown.
The track is very pretty with lovely flowers. Huge and completely packed for the derby each year. It is very hot today, 100 degrees and we were glad to go back inside. They have a great movie and we wandered around the museum for a while. Left and went to a bourbon tour place near our hotel. They were packed and a two hour wait for the tour which we decided not to do.
Had lunch at a nearby brewery where we sat using their wifi for quite a while and then back to take naps and hang out.
About 7:00 we walked a few blocks to the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner. I ordered an Old Fashioned which is made with bourbon and decided I am really not much of a drinker. Only sweet drinks appeal to me. We got to sit in the train which was in the middle of the floor.
Food was good and now we are back in our room watching TV and reading.
Tomorrow morning we leave for Chicago.
Friday, July 21, 2017
The Trolley Song
Got up to a sunny day after an interesting night. We are staying on the 18th floor of the hotel. An alarm went off after midnight and that was very creepy. A few minutes later a voice came over a speaker saying all was clear and sorry for the inconvenience. Do not know what was going on, but happy to finally fall asleep and wake up this morning.
We have arranged for a trolley tour at 10:00 and had a quick breakfast at Dunkin Donuts on the way. We boarded the air-conditioned trolley for a 90 minute tour. Luckily it ended on time unlike Gilligan's infamous tour. We drove around the downtown area of Louisville, a city of one million residents and through some beautiful residential streets. Saw a lovely park designed by Frederic Olmstead where they do Shakespeare plays in the evenings.
The city is names for Louis 16 who gave assistance to the area and also many things named for Thomas Jefferson who as president helped Kentucky become a state separate from Being part of Virginia. Saw the University of Louisville and stopped for a photo op at Churchill Downs.
They have electric buses here that have recharging stations right on the main streets and the cost nothing to ride. Solar powered trash compactors on the streets keep the city beautiful.
Downtown many buildings have cast iron fronts and preservation is important keeping the historic facades in place.
The Ohio River is on the edge of town and across is Indiana. There is a large paddle wheeler there and several other tourist boats. On the Indiana side is the world's second largest clock after Big Ben. It is the site of a Colgate factory. There is a similar clock in Jersey City, NJ, at a Colgate plant.
After the tour we walked past City Hall.
Next stop was the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. They make the bats right here in town and the place is well worth a visit. Outside they have a metal bat, largest in the world.
Inside there is a good movie and then a guide takes you through the factory showing how the wooden dowels are turned into bats, sanded, branded with the logo and dipped in the lacquer finish. Each person receives a tiny wooden bat as a souvenir. You can purchase regular size bats and have them personalized. I took a swing with Mickey Mantle's bat and met a cutout of Jackie Robinson.
Now it is lunch time and we decided on a good burger place nearby. Good atmosphere and Jeff had a good , but not great burger. I had a delicious veggie burger made from red beets, quinoa and mushrooms. I really enjoyed it, especially topped with goat cheese and arugula. Now we were ready for our next adventure, the Muhammed Ali Center.
This five floor museum is fairly new and a fitting tribute to "The Greatest." Starting with an emotional movie we saw exhibits about the young Cassius Clay, training to be a boxer and the Olympic gold metal, conversion to Islam, boxing bouts and humanitarian efforts. Along the way was his refusal to enter the Army during Viet Nam. Very impressive and I highly recommend a visit here. Excellent use of multi media.
We walked back to our hotel on an elevated walkway from the hotel which goes behind the large arts center. Waterfalls, statues and large pavilions up here overlooking the river.
It is really hot today and we are happy to rest in our cool room before dinner. Wide awake as the paddle wheeler is providing a calliope concert. Very squeaky and not enjoyable, but very funny. I can see the smoke coming out. Right now it is the Beatles, just had Daisy, Daisy, and many other old hits. Time for dinner and tonight we walk down 4th Street to a local brewery. The place is hopping and we get a small high top table near the bar. I had a small craft beer. Good, pale ale went well with fish and chips.
Afterwards we walked back listening to screaming crowds enjoying a concert in the stage area called 4th Street Live. It is a block long pedestrian mall with many restaurants and shops.
Back at the hotel we decided to walk across on the third floor overpass. Did not realize it is a conservatory with a glass roof. Midway is a huge bar and seating areas. We sat at a small table looking out at the river. I had a bourbon slush since Louisville and Kentucky are famous for bourbon. The bar was very cool, the counter was a fish tank. In the center was a large bird cage with cute birds and nests. Back to our room on the 18th floor and to bed.
We have arranged for a trolley tour at 10:00 and had a quick breakfast at Dunkin Donuts on the way. We boarded the air-conditioned trolley for a 90 minute tour. Luckily it ended on time unlike Gilligan's infamous tour. We drove around the downtown area of Louisville, a city of one million residents and through some beautiful residential streets. Saw a lovely park designed by Frederic Olmstead where they do Shakespeare plays in the evenings.
The city is names for Louis 16 who gave assistance to the area and also many things named for Thomas Jefferson who as president helped Kentucky become a state separate from Being part of Virginia. Saw the University of Louisville and stopped for a photo op at Churchill Downs.
They have electric buses here that have recharging stations right on the main streets and the cost nothing to ride. Solar powered trash compactors on the streets keep the city beautiful.
Downtown many buildings have cast iron fronts and preservation is important keeping the historic facades in place.
The Ohio River is on the edge of town and across is Indiana. There is a large paddle wheeler there and several other tourist boats. On the Indiana side is the world's second largest clock after Big Ben. It is the site of a Colgate factory. There is a similar clock in Jersey City, NJ, at a Colgate plant.
After the tour we walked past City Hall.
Next stop was the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. They make the bats right here in town and the place is well worth a visit. Outside they have a metal bat, largest in the world.
Inside there is a good movie and then a guide takes you through the factory showing how the wooden dowels are turned into bats, sanded, branded with the logo and dipped in the lacquer finish. Each person receives a tiny wooden bat as a souvenir. You can purchase regular size bats and have them personalized. I took a swing with Mickey Mantle's bat and met a cutout of Jackie Robinson.
Now it is lunch time and we decided on a good burger place nearby. Good atmosphere and Jeff had a good , but not great burger. I had a delicious veggie burger made from red beets, quinoa and mushrooms. I really enjoyed it, especially topped with goat cheese and arugula. Now we were ready for our next adventure, the Muhammed Ali Center.
This five floor museum is fairly new and a fitting tribute to "The Greatest." Starting with an emotional movie we saw exhibits about the young Cassius Clay, training to be a boxer and the Olympic gold metal, conversion to Islam, boxing bouts and humanitarian efforts. Along the way was his refusal to enter the Army during Viet Nam. Very impressive and I highly recommend a visit here. Excellent use of multi media.
We walked back to our hotel on an elevated walkway from the hotel which goes behind the large arts center. Waterfalls, statues and large pavilions up here overlooking the river.
It is really hot today and we are happy to rest in our cool room before dinner. Wide awake as the paddle wheeler is providing a calliope concert. Very squeaky and not enjoyable, but very funny. I can see the smoke coming out. Right now it is the Beatles, just had Daisy, Daisy, and many other old hits. Time for dinner and tonight we walk down 4th Street to a local brewery. The place is hopping and we get a small high top table near the bar. I had a small craft beer. Good, pale ale went well with fish and chips.
Afterwards we walked back listening to screaming crowds enjoying a concert in the stage area called 4th Street Live. It is a block long pedestrian mall with many restaurants and shops.
Back at the hotel we decided to walk across on the third floor overpass. Did not realize it is a conservatory with a glass roof. Midway is a huge bar and seating areas. We sat at a small table looking out at the river. I had a bourbon slush since Louisville and Kentucky are famous for bourbon. The bar was very cool, the counter was a fish tank. In the center was a large bird cage with cute birds and nests. Back to our room on the 18th floor and to bed.
Thursday, July 20, 2017
My Old Kentucky Home
On the road for a family reunion in Chicago. Excited to see Jeff's cousins and their family and so many activities planned. We left home on Wednesday morning and dropped Sirius at Camp Green Dog. He did not seem happy and that made me sad. Left him sitting on his bed which is his comfort zone. We drove northwest past Columbia and Greenville and into North Carolina. Passed Asheville and the road was twisty with beautiful trees, hills and valleys. Soon we crossed into Tennessee and headed north to Knoxville.
We stopped for the night in Crossville, TN, a small town with lots of chain stores and restaurants. Had dinner at Ruby Tuesday and got to sleep early. We woke to a beautiful, sunny day and had breakfast at the hotel. I drove this morning as we headed north to Mammoth Cave National Park. We were mostly on two lane back roads with pretty scenery and lots of rolled hay bales. Just as we entered Kentucky I saw a horse with her foal nursing. It as wonderful. Just down the road a car pulled out of a driveway, right in front of me. now I had been going about 50 on this country road and the old guy in the Buick went 25 at best. Finally we got to a crossroad and I was able to pass him.
Arrived at the National Park around 11:00 and had a tour scheduled for 12:45.
We went to their excellent museum area and grabbed a quick lunch before boarding the bus to our cave entrance. Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world, over 365 miles of surveyed passages and there are 27 entrances. The caves are a water-formed labyrinth formed from limestone. They are designated a world Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. We drove four miles to start the Dripstones and Domes tour. 117 people on three buses along with guides Ryan and Laurel. We entered and the cool air, 60 degrees, was very refreshing. Before long we were hot again descending about 280 steps down to 250 feet below the ground. Metal stairways with rails helped, but the wet floors and railings kept you busy staying on your feet.
The cave wasn't as pretty as others we have visited. We were pretty much busy walking and stopped in three different large rooms with benches to get some information from the Rangers. Luckily we walked up on ramps and steps and the exit was at a lower elevation that the entrance. Near the end we saw some nice stalagmites, stalactites and columns. One area called Niagara Falls had water pouring down 80 feet. An option here was to go down behind the falls and see some "curtains" and formations. They described it as an optional 50 steps down and 50 mandatory steps to get back up. I did it and not so special.
Happy back on the bus and a stop at the ice cream parlor for me to get a soft serve cone. Then we walked to the car where I changed into shorts and sandals from my long jeans and sneakers. We drove off for an hour and a half ride to Louisville. Interesting that the park is in the Central Time zone while Louisville is on Eastern Time.
We checked into the Galt House Hotel right in downtown Louisville and have a nice room on the 18th floor wth a view of the river. It is a huge place with 1000 rooms. We walked to a recommended place for dinner. They have street sculptures that are Louisville Slugger bats with plaques for baseball players and which model bat they used. Happily we saw the plaque for Roger Maris, my hero, and I got pictures. Also saw Pete Rose from the Phillies and many more.
Now we are ready for bed and have a city trolley tour booked for the morning.
We stopped for the night in Crossville, TN, a small town with lots of chain stores and restaurants. Had dinner at Ruby Tuesday and got to sleep early. We woke to a beautiful, sunny day and had breakfast at the hotel. I drove this morning as we headed north to Mammoth Cave National Park. We were mostly on two lane back roads with pretty scenery and lots of rolled hay bales. Just as we entered Kentucky I saw a horse with her foal nursing. It as wonderful. Just down the road a car pulled out of a driveway, right in front of me. now I had been going about 50 on this country road and the old guy in the Buick went 25 at best. Finally we got to a crossroad and I was able to pass him.
Arrived at the National Park around 11:00 and had a tour scheduled for 12:45.
We went to their excellent museum area and grabbed a quick lunch before boarding the bus to our cave entrance. Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world, over 365 miles of surveyed passages and there are 27 entrances. The caves are a water-formed labyrinth formed from limestone. They are designated a world Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. We drove four miles to start the Dripstones and Domes tour. 117 people on three buses along with guides Ryan and Laurel. We entered and the cool air, 60 degrees, was very refreshing. Before long we were hot again descending about 280 steps down to 250 feet below the ground. Metal stairways with rails helped, but the wet floors and railings kept you busy staying on your feet.
The cave wasn't as pretty as others we have visited. We were pretty much busy walking and stopped in three different large rooms with benches to get some information from the Rangers. Luckily we walked up on ramps and steps and the exit was at a lower elevation that the entrance. Near the end we saw some nice stalagmites, stalactites and columns. One area called Niagara Falls had water pouring down 80 feet. An option here was to go down behind the falls and see some "curtains" and formations. They described it as an optional 50 steps down and 50 mandatory steps to get back up. I did it and not so special.
Happy back on the bus and a stop at the ice cream parlor for me to get a soft serve cone. Then we walked to the car where I changed into shorts and sandals from my long jeans and sneakers. We drove off for an hour and a half ride to Louisville. Interesting that the park is in the Central Time zone while Louisville is on Eastern Time.
We checked into the Galt House Hotel right in downtown Louisville and have a nice room on the 18th floor wth a view of the river. It is a huge place with 1000 rooms. We walked to a recommended place for dinner. They have street sculptures that are Louisville Slugger bats with plaques for baseball players and which model bat they used. Happily we saw the plaque for Roger Maris, my hero, and I got pictures. Also saw Pete Rose from the Phillies and many more.
Now we are ready for bed and have a city trolley tour booked for the morning.
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