August 2nd – 13th

After leaving Toronto, we needed to return to the Chicago area to tie up a few loose ends. We ended up staying in Park Ridge, Illinois, where our wonderful friends Sharon and Bill generously opened their home to us.

We had known Sharon and Bill during our years in Chicago, before we moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1996. When we returned to the area over the summer, we reconnected—and were all amazed by how easily we picked up where we had left off, as if no time had passed.

We weren’t exactly sure how long we would be staying with them, and to their credit neither did they, but but they welcomed us with open arms! We shared good food, drinks, and laughs. They are good people!

The Pickwick Theatre: Just a few blocks from Sharon and Bill’s house in Park Ridge. This is such a beautiful Art Deco building and apparently it dates back to 1928. Such a cool neighborhood! The Pickwick Theater became famous globally as the iconic backdrop for the opening credits of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert’s movie review show.

Our unexpected stay in Park Ridge turned into a wonderful visit with two great friends. What began as a stop to take care of a few loose ends became an opportunity to slow down, have some fun, eat and drink well, laugh a lot, and enjoy quality time with Sharon and Bill.

We spent lazy hours in the pool and on the deck, where there was never a shortage of entertainment. We mixed excellent cocktails, Bill generously shared his bourbon with Casey, and we cooked some truly great meals together. We also went out to eat and, above all, simply enjoyed each other’s company.

The cat provided its own entertainment. We spent plenty of time playing with it, while it likely wondered why two extra people had suddenly moved into its house.

One evening, we happened to turn on a game show. None of us could quite figure out how it worked, but that did not stop us from forming some very strong opinions about it—especially when contestants relied on family members who were absolutely terrible at random trivia. Their questionable answers cost the contestants potential winnings, which made the whole thing even more entertaining. Before long, we were paying less attention to the game itself and more attention to the relatives who seemed determined to make sure nobody went home with any money.

Park Ridge was a great place to be stuck for a while while we prepared for our journey to resume.

And then we were off to Cuenca