Helen's Place
We arrived at Midway Airport in Chicago, just about midnight, July 15. From there we took our Korean rental car to Helen Harper's house in Western Springs. Helen is Demetra's cousin, our wonderful host and map provider during most of our stay.
July 16 - We mapped out a historical tour of Western Springs and Indian Head neighborhood with Helen. Then took an auto tour of old Indian trails near oak trees on a golf course, and walking tour of Western Springs park. There we visited "Butch's Tree" and bench dedicated to Helen's late husband. Continuing our stroll through the park we discovered pollution in Flagg Creek, remnants of original namesake springs of Western Springs, and native wildflowers and weeds along park's perimeter.
Chris and Ted's visit - On Wednesday, July 16, Chris and Ted, Demetra's younger borthers joined us for dinner at Helens were we dined on a nice fish dinner followed by lots of laughs and conversation.
July 17 - Dancin' E, Helen's 14 month old nephew came to visit . He is the son of Trish the daughter of Helen's sister Kathy. He loves to dance and pour water on himself.
While Bob was visiting with Helen and Dancing E, Demetra had lunch with her high school buddy, Vicki Loverde, and Vicki's daugher, Lisa. They had Italian food at Volare's, a nice Italian restaurant in Oakbrook. Lots of catching up and laughter. That evening we went to the Mustard Seed in north Chicago.
July 18 - Nevaeh's visit. Nevaeh, came to visit on Friday, and spent the night. She is nearly three years old and had everyone in stitches. VERY self-assured with a good vocabulary, likes to play games on the Internet and be the center of attention. The next morning we had a pancake breakfast at a local restaurant with her and Helen. We took several photos and video of Nev and Bob. That afternoon we took the Burlington Train to Chicago, where we met Bob's brother, Jeff, for lunch and toured The Bean, before visiting the Chicago Art Museum and attending a Broadway play, "Jersey Boys."
Show your Mom! Show your Mom! Can I smell them? Why is it closed? "Bad business decisions." Took photos and video.
July 19 Wedding.
July 20 - Demetra and Helen's longtime friend , Lynn Ryan came to visit and stay with Helen too. Demetra once roomed with Lynn in hearby Oak Park. Lynn now is retired and living in Florida. She came to Chicgo to visit with some of her friends for an annual get together in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Went to Chicago River boat tour of downtown Chicago architecture. Visited brother Chris in the afternoon and brother Jeff in the evening.
July 21 - Zack's 27th birthday and babysit day, with the four kids, Adam, Aurora, Alexander, and Nev. Visits from Bobby and his parents, Steve and Nancy, Helen's stepdaughter. Penny, Helen's sister, also came to visit. We had infamous Chicago pizza and everyone posed for pictures. Zack and Shanna celebrated his birthday with a trip to downtown Chicago on the burlington Train, and to Navy Pier.
July 22 Went to the Adam's lake house on Lauderdale Lakes, in southern Wisconsin.
July 25 - Returned from the Cubbie's game a little after midnight. Before our flight home Dancin' E, Helen, Bob and Demetra stopped for a breakfast of German pancakes, an egg scramble and Greek omelet before heading out to Midway Airport. Alistar met us at the Portland Airport with the Mitsubishi running smoothly and freshly washed and deodorized and needing gas. Pleasant visit with Al, and beautiful ride hom in twilight.
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
Bob and Helen map out plans for the day. |
Demetra and Helen talk beneath Butch's Tree. |
Demetra and Helen on Butch's Bench. |
Demetra at the base of old-growth tree in park. |
Giant-leaved plant on park's perimeter. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Flagg Creek, along park's perimeter. |
Flagg Creek beneath highway bridge. |
Flagg Creek structure, including medical glove. |
Bob and local thistles. |
Bob and thistles beneath red blossoms on shrub. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Western Springs discovered. | Western Springs source. | Demetra on porch of house built in 1888. | Western Springs first water tower. | Chris, Dee, and Ted. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Bob and Nev. | Nev and cowboy boots. | Nevaeh ("Nev") takes Bob across the street. | Nev and Alex. | Penny, Adam, Deme, and Aurora. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Sissy and A.J. | Zack and Adam ("A.J.") | Zack, Adam, Alex, Demetra, Aurora ("Sissy"), and Shanna. | Demetra and Cowgirl. | Dee, Helen, and Lynn. |
