Chicago Botanical Gardens

April 15th, Joyce, Colleen and I took a field trip to the Chicago botanical Gardens. Colleen and Joyce have lived here their entire lives and have never been. I have a mild excuse, I have only been here 15 years and have never visited. So 3 silly ladies had a great trip and wandered happily through tulips, daffodils, and other green gardens. The weather was sunny and breezy and we had a great day! It will be even better in May and June.





The Japanese Gardens are encompassed on an island. Access is only available by an arched bridge.




Loved the tulips!!



This unusual flower was flying solo in this bright field of yellow and I had to capture the color contrast. It was alot of fun to use my new camera.

Springtime in Illinois

It looks like Spring may finally have arrived in Illinois. Amaaaazing!! Last week we actually had a couple of days in the 80s. Unusual, but nice. We will take it. Today it is going to be a more seasonable 60 or so. Another sure sign of a midwestern spring is the advent of severe weather, which is predicted for tomorrow.

Last week Cindy and I took Cindy's new camera to one of Illinois' more famous state parks and took some pictures. We completed some camera classes together in January and really wanted to try out our new skills. Enjoy these pictures of Starved Rock.





It is always great to see signs of new life. It reminds us of the resurrection of Christ which we celebrate on this Easter Sunday. Cindy did a great job in getting these two pictures.

And, of course , there are the waterfalls.





And the famous back side of a waterfall.



We also discovered that no trip to Starved Rock is truly complete without dinner at Hank's Farm Restaurant in nearby Ottawa. Meet Tom and Hank Turkey, residents of Hank's Farm.