Take me out to the ballgame...again

From childhood, I have loved the Atlanta Braves.  I had checked the Cubs schedule to see if by any chance they would be in town while I was in the area.  But, alas, they were not on the Cubs schedule.  I happened to be watching the last White Sox game on TV before the All Star break, and the announcer mentioned that their first game after the break would be against the visiting Braves.  It had not even occurred to me to check their schedule for the possibility of inner league play, but what a happy discovery!

Going to a game in Chicago is an almost all-day affair by the time you get yourself to the ball park and back from the western suburbs.  But we felt it was well worth it and it was great that Charles' work schedule allowed for the time to do it.

Pepsi - yuk!  Offends my Atlanta Coca-Cola  roots!

The view from our seats, sort of.  When we arrived around 2:00 p.m. our seats were in the blazing sun, so we watched batting practice from there, and then moved up about 6 rows into the shaded seats.  No one ever came to claim our "new" seats, so we stayed there the rest of the game. 

It was Star Wars day at the ball park.  Which seemed to consist of a costume parade before the game, Yoda graphics inserted on the scoreboard when White Sox players' photos were shown, and a little Star Wars flavor to some of the music that was played.

Oh, yeah.  And Darth Vadar threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

There are gorgeous views of the Chicago skyline from the ramp into the ballpark.  And my hair attests to the validity of the Windy City label.

Just had to include a skyline shot that shows the Sears Tower.    This is the way I most enjoy the big city - admiring it from a distance!  I only had my little camera with me, so I couldn't get a panorama of the whole vast skyline.

Sadly, the Sox won 10-6.  There were quite a few Braves fans in attendance so we enjoyed cheering with them at the limited opportunities.  We tried to be equitable and also cheer for the good plays of the Sox so as not to incur the wrath of any die hard fans.

I have always enjoyed looking at the mess left behind after a ball game.  Art is everywhere.

Charles at the pedestrian bridge from the CTA station to the ball park.  I took the same shot a few years ago when we went to a game, and want to compare the two.

This is exactly how the intense traffic makes me fill - caged in!  This wasn't rush hour - it was about 6:30 on Saturday afternoon.

Anderson Japanese Garden

To see what is billed "the finest Japanese garden in North America", a road trip to Rockford, IL was certainly worth it for me and Charles.  Given his fascination with all things Japanese, and my love of the outdoors and beautiful gardens, it was a perfect match.  And who could resist after reading this blurb on their brochure? "Both calming and exuberant, the Gardens exude an incredible regenerative energy.  Perhaps it is a rock arrangement by the pond, or the hush of a breeze filtering through the pines, or the sound of trickling water around a bend...Anderson Japanese Gardens invites everyone to experience the peace, grace and energy for which Japanese gardens are known."

Master Craftsman Hoichi Kurisu designed and built the gardens; he is the same renowned designer who is Director of Landscaping at the Washington Park Gardens in Portland, Oregon.

The link, if you want to see more: http://andersongardens.org/

"As you cross, try to leave your cares and concerns behind.  You are entering a place of peace and tranquility."

Another of several bridges in the Garden. Typically Japanese garden bridges are called "moon bridges" and their purpose is to reflect artistic feelings.

The entire Garden is actually made up of several different styles of smaller traditional Japanese gardens, and a gate is open as you enter each separate area.

The paths through the Garden and the direction in which one should take them are prescribed in the brochure so that one receives the most from the experience.

Streams of water flow throughout the gardens; the softness of water in a garden is often associated with feelings.

Typical and expected statuary in the Garden.

Not so typical statuary!  One of my delights in well designed gardens is coming upon the unexpected.

"When first planted, this willow measured only 1/2" in diameter.  It has witnessed the entire history of the Gardens."

There are two large bodies of water in the Gardens - the Garden of Reflection pond and the Pond Strolling Garden pond.  Both are stocked with beautiful koi.

If I had to choose a favorite spot in the Garden, this would be it.  Charles and I both wished we had been able to climb to the top of the falls, but it was not allowed.  "The visual and audible impact of moving water excites the senses yet aids in calming the spirit."

The pond at the Garden of Reflection

Best bird shot of the day, but I haven't decided what kind it is.  Looks a little fluffy - like a juvenile "something".

Mama and lots of babies on the edge of the pond.  I was disturbed by seeing so many people intentionally getting too close to them.  Rule of thumb for wildlife:  If you are close enough to cause the creatures to change their behavior, you are too close. 

Fortunately, the small island in the middle of the pond allowed mama duck a safe retreat. There were no bridges for people to get to her.

Although Japanese gardens aren't much about blooming flowers, some are incorporated to mark the continual change of seasons.

Every Japanese pond has them, right?

"Angels" by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles.  "...compel us to expand our concept of Japanese gardens beyond traditional symbolism."  (My inner cynic says... that, or some major donor just wanted them there!)  They were very cool and on very tall poles near the main entrance, but I approached them from the rear toward the end of my path.

As I was shooting my artsy photos of the angels, a man approached from the opposite direction on the path and made funny comments about my taking pictures of "angel butts".  I told  him I always liked a different perspective and he then decided they did look pretty great from that angle.  So great that he took a couple of photos himself and said he couldn't wait to show them to his boys, and that it might be the Christmas card photo.

If you are Charles, this is how you continue to recharge your batteries after you stroll through the wonderful Anderson Japanese Garden.  (Sneaky shot by Mom - we had split up to tour the gardens at our own pace and for our own experiences.)

West Dupage Woods Forest Preserve

It is very impressive to me that the counties between Lake Michigan and the Iowa state line have preserved vast acres of land in between all the developed areas.  Dupage County is where I am; it is just west of Cook County, which is where the city of Chicago proper is. I am pretty sure most counties in this part of IL have seen the wisdom of land preservation, and the forest preserves are such a wonderful respite from the congestion and togetherness of big city living.  I have visited a few in previous years, and hope to take in quite a few more while I am here this time.  To see what they look like in Dupage County, click here: http://www.dupageforest.org/

I spent the good part of a very warm afternoon in West Dupage Woods Forest Preserve, the closest one to my place.  I was the only human in sight, so I texted Charles to let him know where I was in case I was never heard from again.  There was a sign warning that the trail might be flooded, but of course, I ignored that and forged on, only to end up ankle-deep in mud at one point.  But the trail was lovely and so quiet, and I think I walked about 5 miles in the preserve.  My only observed living companions were swarms of mosquitoes outnumbering the bountiful dragonflies, elusive calling birds, a solitary chipmunk, and peek-a-boo frogs.

There are several ponds in this preserve - above is the one closest to the parking lot where I sat for a while at a picnic table and just watched.

Lots of berries ripening along almost every trail - future feasts for the wildlife!

Tiny crab apples taking on the first blush

Lots of these along the trail.  It's kind of nice to be arriving just as the wildflowers are blooming here.

I really need to get a wildflower identification guide - but aren't these petite wonders pretty?

The happiest flowers in the forest

The only bird capture of the day - indigo bunting.  I'm so glad they have them here, too!

About those peek-a-boo frogs:  When I approached the picnic table by the pond, I could hear (more than see) frogs sort of leaping up out of the muddy edge and into the water.  As I sat and looked for a while, I began to realize that I was seeing frog eyes peeking at me from the water.  There were dozens of them and I was so amused watching them watching me that I almost didn't notice the mosquitoes enjoying my company. (I hope my frog-loving friend, Martha B, especially enjoys these photos!)

The first one I noticed.  He has a bug on his face and I kept waiting to see him flick his tongue out to eat it, but never did.

Probably my favorite of the frog photos.  I love those little fuzzy plant seed things that had landed on the water.

Bye-bye frogs.

1st week of July

I was able to meet up with Charles on Tuesday after my arrival on Monday.  It was so, so good to be able to hug him! He and his girlfriend, Leah, came out to my place on Wednesday evening for Charles' favorite supper menu - Mama's Mac 'n Cheese, garlic green beans, and sliced pears.  It is a traditional meal that he has enjoyed since he could chew the food.  (Mama's Mac 'n Cheese is also known as Mrs. Moon's Mac 'n Cheese outside our tiny little circle.)  We had a good time hanging out and sharing funny youtube videos after supper. 

Thursday was July 4, and we spent the celebratory part in the suburb of Westmont, which is where Leah lives.  We went to her parent's home for a lovely  afternoon "nosh".  Then Charles, Leah, and I went to a beautiful restored movie theater in Westmont to see the animated movie, Epic - very entertaining and some good humor. (Leah's parents are hard working folks dealing with some aging family members, so they decided to continue relaxing at home on their day off and meet up with us later for fireworks.)

The secret to viewing fireworks in Westmont while avoiding the crowds at the local park is to strategically position your car in the bank parking lot before dark and just watch them as they rise above the grocery store across the street.  Works for me! 

Sunset in the bank parking lot

 

 

 

Leah and Charles patiently waiting in the car

The bright shirts lit up the night!  Charles, Leah, and her folks.

I took lots of fireworks photos, and got some interesting hand held effects.  They would have been more accurate and "professional" with a tripod, but here are a few of my favorites: