A very green trip to the Midwest!

 

Please read to the end. It was a great 6-day trip! I estimate I drove 1300 miles through 3 states and visited 3 areas. Each day held some rain, some days lots of rain.

You will see lots of green in my photos – it was so lush! It was early enough in the season that it was cool and humidity was not bad. I saw no cicadas yet. The humidity made my hair go all Farrah Fawcett.

I flew from Sacramento to Chicago, Midway, picked up my rental car and drove 7 hours in the pooooooring rain on a major trucker thoroughfare. There were many times that I truly could not see. It was harrowing. Eventually I arrived at The Dairy Barn Arts Center, site of the revered Quilt National:

I am not allowed to show photos of Quilt National, so just to prove I was there:

It really was a dairy barn and this was a feeder for the cows. Kinda like those shadows!

Bucket List alert! I have attended Quilt National one other time, but not the opening. It was so cool to see the art and the artists! I spent a total of 5 hours viewing the quilts. It was divine. There was so much innovation, such a high level of artistry and execution, so many intriguing details…time flew.

I will be asking the artists if I can post photos of their work. I will have to get permission from each individual artist, so that may take some time. Among my favorites was a quilt that incorporated rice paper and dye and, a sheer quilt. I hope to be able to post those.

This was posted, a statement by one of the jurors; I found this thought-provoking:

Saturday evening, SAQA held a reception. It was like a SAQA Conference – many of the artists I know that I had not seen for a couple of years were in attendance. It was wonderful to catch up with everyone. My heart was full as I left the reception.

I got to spend some time walking Athens, a college town. The lawns were so pretty and the porches – oh my! It seemed that every home had a huge 6-seater+ porch:

I had to hit the local Farmer’s Market – you really get a feel for a place from them. Of course, it was raining:

I made quite a “splash” with my flaming yellow rain coat. I’d guess that at least 12 people commented on it.

Want to know why I wear a bright rain coat? My Mother drove a school bus in northern Illinois. One of her fellow drivers killed a little old lady in a gray raincoat, at dusk, in the rain. The bus driver was making a right-hand turn just as the lady reached down to retrieve a coin she saw in the road. She was instantly killed. PSA: Wear bright colors in the rain and be aware of doing anything that reduces your visibility!

On my way to Tuscola, I explored “the Crown Jewel of Ohio”, Hocking Hills State Park. I stumbled around a bit because there was no internet – horrors! I did find Ash Cave:

Some sights along the way:

Onward I went, a 6.5 hr drive to southern Illinois to see my 93 year old Aunt. It was a delight to see her! She is living in her own home and has created a network of people that help her and check-in on her. She drives her own car to local appointments and for errands. She is sharp as a tack, up on current events, with all her senses intact. My Mother was the same at her passing. I am blessed to have longevity in my line.

We enjoyed some classic Midwestern fare for supper and breakfast and I was on my way again to my hometown of Ottawa, Illinois to see childhood friends. The drive along 59 west of Athens was gorgeous: rolling hills, early morning mist settling into the nooks, tree-lined rivers, American flags everywhere, packed church parking lots.

As I travel I like to listen to local radio stations – it’s like listening in on the daily life of the residents there. I love to hear the crop report! I was hoping to see a soybean field in the wind, a beautiful sight, but it was way too early for that. The expression for corn is: “knee-high by the 4th of July”. Oddly enough, corn was about 6″ tall in Ohio and 12″ in north central Illinois. Sorry, gotta include a corn photo:

I always thought of my hometown as a small town, but a recent Mayor has made Ottawa a destination for Chicagoans. We even have a hip micro- brewery! The first Lincoln-Douglas debate was held in Ottawa, honored here:

The surrounding park is beautiful. Ottawa is also the site of the Boyce Memorial, commemorating the gentleman who brought the Boy Scouts to America.  I got to visit with my childhood friend and her husband. Funny how true friendships can flow, even with years between seeing each other.

I chose a very late day flight out of Midway so that I could enjoy the day. I met another high school friend and we hiked Starved Rock State Park. Our walk took us along the Illinois River:

Funny how these photos look a lot like the Ohio photos:

I did have time to visit my Mom and Dad’s grave. The cemetery was dressed for the occasion:

One of my last stops, a necessity : fried pork tenderloin:

It was worth every calorie.

This trip filled my soul. It was nice to touch base with my childhood friends and hometown. The Midwest is a delightful place to visit, something I wish more Americans understood. I feel blessed to be able to have the time and funds to take this trip.

NOTE: My 95 year-old Mother-in-Law passed while I was on this trip. She was ready, she knew her Maker and was at peace. It is sad that she has left us but she is in her new Home. I have always said she was The Best Mother-in-Law. She will be missed.

Please note that I will be traveling and helping the family. I probably won’t be responding to comments this time. Just know that I treasure your comments and your devotion to reading my blog. Hugs.

I’ll be linking up:

Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday

Finished or Not Friday