Chicago - June 6-7, 2019

Tom and I began our vacation this year by driving up to Chicago on June 6. We got there in the late afternoon and stayed on the fifth floor of the Chicago South Loop Motel. I parted the curtains and this was my first view of the windy city ...

 We went for a walk that evening into the southernmost extreme of Chinatown and Tom saw the word FREE and was forced to stop in front of the Heritage Museum of Asian Art.

 Various periodicals - some dating back nearly a century - were placed into boxes and given away. Tom took a healthy handful.

 While walking back to the hotel on 26th Street this was the northbound view of the I-90 Expressway.We had supper that night at a small Chinese restaurant, the Grand Palace, on 26th. The food was excellent but I was bothered by the large koi in a small aquarium with cloudy water. They were packed in there so tightly they could barely turn.

 Some businesses - Keeley for instance - displays the company name in both English and Chinese. Or at least that's what I assume.

 A view from across 26th Street, our hotel offered nice rooms and free parking - a real plus in Chicago - but breakfast was not included (and should have been for the price).

 Another view north from 26th Street.

Here's the hallway outside our room (530).

 When we hit the sack on June 6 (Dad's 95th birthday) a heavy fog had drifted across the city from Lake Michigan. Nothing was visible. I awoke after midnight and looked again. The fog was beginning to dissipate and the city lights were beginning to shine again.

 The next morning was still hazy but again the skyline was visible.

 On the morning of June 7 we met Tom's friend, Linda Odegard, for breakfast. Toni Patiseerie & Cafe was nothing short of phenomenal. Even my cup of coffee went well beyond normal.

 My choice: French toast with fresh strawberries and cranberries. Just beyond belief!

 Tom and Linda both had crepes with ham and salad. Beautifully presented.

Linda Odegard and Tom at Toni's 

 Rotunda at the Chicago Cultural Center.

A walkway at the Cultural Center.

 Another rotunda.

 Walking along S. Michigan Avenue on the way to the Art Institute of Chicago.

 Tom was immediately interested in this sculpture, Mended Petal, by Yoko Ono.

The Old Guitarist by Picasso

 The Chicago skyline in the background ... and Tom in the foreground.

Nighthawks by Edward Hopper 

American Gothic by Grant Wood 

The Manet & Modern Beauty Exhibit ...

Boating 

Monica Nelson and myself

 I haven't seen Monica since she got married in 1993 and moved to Chicago. It was great to see her again, especially in such wonderful surroundings. Here we stand before Portrait of Emelie Ambre as Carmen by Edouard Manet.

 We had lunch in an outdoor plaza with a fountain nearby. Tom calls these "Mermen".

Linda Oldegard 

And now for some Vincent van Gogh ...

... ah, what a day. Thanks to Linda for getting us into the Art Institute and the Manet exhibit free of charge. Linda is a long-time volunteer there and was a wonderful tour guide. How lucky could we be? From a wonderful breakfast to an afternoon of art - all courtesy of Linda. A day to fondly remember.

Bear Lake Vacation - June 2019

 Tom and I were in Bear Lake just a few days this year (Sunday, 06/09 - Wednesday, 06/12). We took the ferry from Manitowok, Wisconsin to Ludington, Michigan and then drove the short distance (less than 50 miles) to Bear Lake.

 Breakfast Monday morning began with a stop at the Lakeside Cafe. For so small a town and so small a restaurant, the Lakeside has exceptional food. We met Robin Heaberlin there, too - an added bonus - who had just arrived for a week's vacation. Like us, in her younger years her family (the Barlett's) had a cottage in Bear Lake. The nostalgia runs deep. We also met up with another Miamisburg friend ... Doug Parramore.

 Monday appeared to be a rainy day so we drove up to Frankfort and visited Crystal Gardens where Tom made some nursery purchases last year. They also have an excellent antique/memorabilia store and a shop just for rockhounds.

 This gorgeous dahlia immediately caught my attention. Such an explosion of color! It was too big - and probably too expensive - to bring home but it was certainly an eye-catcher.

 This hanging basket seemed on fire.

 The irises were in bloom and there was an interesting variety. Tom bought one for a friend.

 Then on north to the nearby Port Betsie Lighthouse. I've seen it many times before but I wanted Tom to be able to compare it to the lighthouse in Frankfort's harbor.

 Constructed before the Civil War (1858), the lighthouse was automated in 1983. It is a lovely design and one that had stood the test of time.
 Obviously the sky has cleared and our expected rainy day has become a thing of the past.

 Later we stopped at Pierport so that Tom could hunt rocks. He said that was his main reason for coming to Bear Lake. The breeze was stiff and the air still cool. I always enjoy just standing at the water's edge and watching the waves roll ashore ...

 We drove to the public access area near the Dayton Bear Lake Outing Club and enjoyed the view.

 Another view of the Dayton Club.

 We returned to Pierport a second time so that Tom could fill his bucket with rocks. He found a small Petosky stone which I placed in my change purse. Some of the stones will go to the base of the barn; others will go near the henhouse we are remodeling. Still others will go in planters.

 Finally, a last evening in Bear Lake, we walked across the highway from the Bella Vista Inn to the public access area and enjoyed the late evening breeze,

 Tom found a rock or two ... or course!

 Near sunset the sun dipped behind a bank of clouds so there was no color to enjoy. But the soft muted grays were pleasant, too, and mimicked our mood at having to leave in the morning.

 And so Bear Lake fades into memory for another year ...

Gwen Frostic Prints

Photo credit: Robin Heaberlin

 When I was a kid, every Bear Lake vacation meant a trip to Gwen Frostic Prints in nearby Benzonia, Michigan. It was a magnet for most young mothers and Miss Mary was no exception. Vacations weren't much for Mom. Sure, there was a little time at the beach but for the most part it was meals and cleaning, the same as at home. I was surprised to hear Mom say this once.

 But her annual visit to Gwen Frostic was something she wanted to do and we all willingly went along.

 In those years, Gwen Frostic (1906-2001) was still living and likely to be there. As owner and president of Presscraft Papers, Frostic had a ready production line for her wood block prints and writings. Her shop (pictured in this blog) opened in 1964.

 There are a dozen original Heidelberg presses still operating. In past years they were quite active, many running at once. This year there was but one clanking away (Tom  and I visited on Monday, 06/10/19).

 The shop has remained virtually unchanged since I first visited over half a century before.
 The opposite end of the facility houses a small display case honoring Frostic's life and work. It includes several pair of her eyeglasses.

 I'm touched by the epitaph she penned before her death: "Here lies one doubly blessed. She was happy and she knew it."

She is buried in the Benzonia Township Cemetery.

Sunset [quote]