Matthiessen State Park

Today I saw the real jewel of this section of Illinois. This park is composed of many canyons (or dells)
with dams and waterfalls throughout.

I was priviliged to witness the 17 year cicada cycle as well. Everything was covered with beady red eyed bugs. It has become a news item that will be history in another few days; at least for the next 17 years when it starts all over again. Here are two of the critters now...

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois

This is one of the many beautiful waterfalls that was bolstered by an afternoon cloudburst.


You may wonder what this creature is..after giving it some thought I came up with the name: drabbit, since it is a rabbit with deer horns. This is a very rare animal in these parts and the bartender said they were 'lucky' to bag this one!






Chuck has been giving me hiking lessons and showing me the ways of the world here in llinois. Go to his weblog here
http://chucksadventures.blogspot.com/
He has made this trip heavenly for me...I don't even mind the several mosquito bites donated to the local insects.

Chicago Wanderings

My first day in beautiful Chicago. Chuck is showing me the sites...stop number one Wrigley Field; c'mon Cubbies win one for us!


At the Crystal Garden the fountains spew water over the tourists and into a neighboring garden...cool!


Crown Fountain is where faces of ordinary citizens are superimposed on towering fountains that 'magically' show various facial expressions before finally shooting water from the mouth of the photo; the children wait in anticipation to play and splash in the half inch of water that accumulates between the two towers.


The BEAN is really cool! Look close and you can see us taking our picture in the reflection. The whole experience is mesmerizing!

Life Reconstructed

Here is a picture of life as it can be...happy!
One can say they have arrived when, contemplating
a new life style, they pick one and go for it!