Illinois with a little bit of Minnesota

paul and i flew to chicago the third week of may. it was the first time we had been on an airplane going anywhere since the world turned upside down with the COVID pandemic and the airports were full, everyone was masked and i definitely felt a bit of tension through the whole aiport/airplane/arrival process. i didn't like the situation so much. but, it was so very nice to just go somewhere new and interesting. 

while in chicago, we took some time trying to find our apartment when we lived in the arlington heights area thirty-three years ago. paul was working for courtyard by marriott and i was working as a resource teacher at a middle school in elgin, il. i was also pregnant with our first child, nicole and this was the home we brought her home to. i somehow remembered the name of our street, oxley court, so with that information we wound our way around and found it!! what long ago memories seeing our sweet home brought back! we both remember our year there as a happy, busy, changeable and exciting time.

the reason for the trip was for paul to tour an ethanol factory as well as meet up with a colleague of his who is also a very good friend. we had always promised a visit to ben as he is often visiting with us in boulder so this was a great opportunity. ben and his wife jess have three adorable boys and they spoiled us with time, attention and a lovely basket of illinois food and fun. 

ben and jess live in sullivan, illinois which amish country. it is a beautiful, gentle part of the world. I relaxed and let the green pastures, newly planted farmland, full flowing rivers and kind friends welcome me back to life outside the oh so familiar confines of home. i learned a lot about the amish community here and we visited a furniture factory behind the scenes and spoke to the family who owns the business for quite awhile. quite fascinating.

our last afternoon back in chicago, we had a bit of time so we drove the hour and a half to milwaukee, wisconsin. i don't know that i have ever been in this city before but have always been interested in its location and history. we strolled down the historical and cultural walk and the milwaukee public market as well as the beautiful shore of lake michigan. 

i would love to return to this beautiful city again and spend more time exploring as well as the never-ending green open plains of illinois.