Chicago: Arrival

Stace and I were blessed to take a long-weekend away in Chicago, as I tagged along on a work trip for him to his company's Rockford, Ill., plant.

On Thursday morning, we took a Lyft ride to the airport - a first for us - and had our final experience walking out to the tarmac and up the ramp to the plane. Burbank Airport is completing a big renovation, with a modern terminal set to open in a few weeks. 

Our flights were uneventful (we had a brief layover in Salt Lake City). When we arrived, Stace rented a car and drove to Rockford, while my cousin Elizabeth picked me up and took me to her home. We saw several deer along the way home! So cool.

It was wonderful catching up with Elizabeth, and her daughter Emma. I hadn't seen them in years!

Elizabeth and Emma live in a magical 100-year-old apartment building, with loads of period details.

The windows! The molding! The arched entries! The hardwood floors!

I bonded with their lovely dog, Josie. Would you believe this beautiful (large) girl is half corgie? Neither would I! But as a tiny puppy, that's what the rescue said, and it made sense, at the time. Clearly that was false information. She's a lovely girl just the same.

We had a nice night and morning of catching up, before embarking on a Chicago adventure in the morning. 

Golf Trip

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity, along with several of my workmates, to play TPC Las Vegas golf course. Me and another chap from work drove to Las Vegas on Friday, arriving by the late afternoon. We awoke early to meet up with the rest of the Woodward crew, and got in a minibus at 7 a.m. that took us out to the golf course.  

We played a team format, and I was paired up with a chap called Fernando. We played a better-ball, scramble format, where both players take shots, and then select the best position to take the next shot from. It was a really hot day, with temperatures topping out at 104. To make conditions tricky, there was also a 25 mph wind. Even with all that, and a very difficult professional standard golf course, Fernando and I played pretty well, and managed to win the competition. We finished 2 over par, and picking up a $450 first place prize, between us.

A smaller group of friends from work went out for a meal on the Friday night, to a Benihana restaurant, and finished the night in the Sahara casino, where most of us were staying. 

Colorado, Cars and Cats

 Stace had another work trip this week - this time, to Fort Collins, Colorado, where his company has its headquarters, for a software training.

It was a short trip, but he really liked the town and had a good time walking around the downtown area in the evenings. 

He brought home a treat for us - flavored fudge from Buc-ee's.

On Saturday, Stace, Violet and I went to DeBellis Ranch and Acton Trading Post for a morning out. We then stopped at the Newhall Art Walk, where we saw art hanging on walls and being created in real time at various businesses. 

This woman was demonstrating how she makes print collages.

We then got dinner at Bricks, and old favorite.

We took Vi home and Stace and I went to a car show at the mall that benefited the high school district's foundation.

This was a 1927 Ford Speedster.

Stace loves this 1950s Jaguar XK140, which he has seen at other shows.

We spotted Seb spending time in God's Word.

Cora took Violet to the archery range on Sunday afternoon, and they took both bows so they both could shoot.

Chicago - Stace Blogs!

A work trip to one of Woodward's factories in Rockford took me to Illinois for a couple of days. 

I flew into Chicago airport and drove into the city, where I was met in the downtown area by Elizabeth and Emma.

 The two locals, who live in a nearby suburb, met me for a pizza dinner: deep dish, Chicago style, of course, and then took me on a walking tour.

We visited The Bean (top photo), took in the skyline, and walked along the Chicago River that meanders through the modern skyscrapers and old buildings that make up this famous city.

After a lovely couple of hours of walking and catching up, it was time to say goodbye and drive the almost two-hour drive north to Rockford.

 

Trip to Redmond!

We had a wonderful trip to see Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty! Stace took a few days off, and Violet worked very hard on her online classes beforehand, so she could relax while we were away.

Winston and Evie wanted to come along! (He's inside the bag in the picture on the left.)

 This was a first - Cora took us to the airport! Because it was Burbank airport, it was a short and easy drive, and great freeway experience for her. (She's had lots of experience already, but the more the better.)

Cora has theatre class and work at the high school, so she couldn't come with us.

Violet took the lovely photo above as we were landing at Sea-Tac airport. 

And here's her finished stained glass piece - Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty loved it. It goes so well in their home, also. Violet is pretty amazing.

She got to spend some good times with the cousins - like little Sophia here, who's now 1 1/2.

We took lots of walks, and on one of them, saw these deer. There was one more on the other side of the foliage.

We ended up at the lovely park near their home, which features a barn and animals that Aunt Patty now volunteers at. 

These roosters were gorgeous!

Aunt Patty was telling us everyone's name.

These next horses are at a different place close to their home, at an equine rescue. Violet is really interested in horses at the moment, and loved walking down to say hello.

Another view of the rescue. We were spoiled with amazing weather! It's been raining there consistently, but when we arrived, the sun shone brightly.

Violet put this cactus puzzle together nearly on her own.

And after being out in the cold at night, not much better than homemade hot chocolate and popcorn! We enjoyed this treat while watching the new version of All Creatures Great and Small. Uncle Bill and Aunt Patty love it, and knew that we would, too. We ended up watching all of Season 1 while with them!

Sequoia, Part IV: More Trees and Lakes

We woke up and had a good breakfast in the lodge dining room, and then Stace and I took a trip out onto the big pond in a canoe. Stace then got in a kayak and sped around on his own. Violet relaxed on the bench, and we admired the nearby large black cows that seem to roam wild around the area.  

We then checked out and headed north further into the park, towards Kings Canyon. We stopped at another hiking spot and looped around to see a number of sequoias. 

Stace and Violet are at the bottom of this photograph!

The stream here sounded amazing.

We drove to Hume Lake, walked around the Christian camp, and then walked along the lakefront.

Until next time, Sequoias! We loved marveling at you, once again.

London: Tidbits

 More photos from our little London trip...

Our hotel was near 800-year-old Southwark Cathedral, and I'd really hoped to make it inside. But our timing didn't work. 

Also, we were very near Borough Market, which is apparently an awesome food hall. But it was closed when we were available. We needed one more day!

We went to Covent Garden after the Tower of London, before heading back to get our bags and take the train to our Gatwick hotel Tuesday night.

We came across the Noel Coward Theatre, where Mischief Theatre was putting on The Comedy About Spies. This is the group that created The Play That Goes Wrong.

Again, if we'd had one more day! Or, even 12 more hours - a later flight Wednesday - we would have bought tickets for Tuesday night's show. The girls (and Stace and I) love Mischief and seeing the crew in person would have been amazing.

We happened upon one of the best-rated pie 'n mash shops, so we stopped in for a final dinner. It was delicious.

Violet wasn't excited to spend time in London - she's a nature girl, not a city girl. So Stace promised her a pair of Dr. Martens boots, talking them up, with their London history.

He got a bit of sticker shock when we went in, but he's a man of his word. Vi would have loved a pair of black boots with black embroidered roses she saw, but they were out of her size and they're completely gone online. So, she went for a very classic pair of eight-holes, with black thread instead of the traditional yellow.

With the amount they cost, hopefully they'll last her forever, and be a memory of this trip.

Just London scenes...

Stace and Cora went out early on Tuesday morning to see the site of the original Globe theatre, around the corner from our hotel. 

The letter "G" behind her is part of the outline of the theatre's site.

That'll wrap up our England trip, 2025. Lots of great memories made and experiences shared! 

Our flight home Wednesday was uneventful, as you alway hope flights are.