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Monday, June 25, 2018

Take Me to St Charles!

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Hello from beautiful St. Charles, Illinois!

St. Charles of the beautiful Fox river and lovely summers with parks and paddle boats and abundant things to see and do!

For those who don’t know the metro Chicago area (such as myself!) I asked my driver, Rachel where we were in relation to downtown Chicago.

And just like anyone would do these days….(Except for Michiganders, who will always put up a hand and show you by pointing at their palm!) she pulled out her phone, expanded a map by pinching and pulling on the screen with her fingers, and showed me.  I get it now!  We are a bit northwest of the city.  Just on the outskirts of countryside and farmland.

It feels like small-town Midwest, yet it is so connected to so many things within a short drive.  Just wonderful!

Knowing that I liked history, scenic drives, and since it was a Sunday in the early evening, she had hatched a plan to take me to dinner in a converted old church, a walk along the river afterwards and just enjoying the evening hours.  PERFECT.

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Dinner here!

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Oh how fun!

Usually my photos are taken the “sideways” direction, but this day – there was so much up and up and up ….this is the way it fit on the screen.

we decided to eat outside, enjoying the lovely evening temperatures and gentle breezes.


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View from where I sat.  Just beautiful!

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Beautiful old buildings filled with fun shops.

Of course, Sunday evening – everything was closed.

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Architectural detail at the historic Hotel Baker.

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And a photo op with good ole Mr. Baker himself!

But the most mesmerizing awe inspiring scene was yet to come.  Click to play:


The river – oh my, what a lovely spot!

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More beautiful statuary on our walk to the park.

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What is the Fox River without a Fox??

This guy was made from old bicycle tires!

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Side view!

I have always loved “scrap heap” kinds of sculptures and it was fun looking at every piece and part and determining which part of the bike it came from.  FUN!

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Climbing the tower at the park for another evening view of the Fox River.

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I’ll be here for the next 3 days playing with the quilters in this sweet little Chicago suburb.

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Gossamer web by evening light.

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One done on my flight.

We start out full throttle this morning with Cathedral Stars as an all day workshop, followed by my guild presentation this evening.

Tomorrow, a repeat presentation for the morning Chapter meeting, followed by a half day Carolina Chain workshop.

We wind it up Wednesday with an all day Smith Mountain Morning workshop ---and I’ll be heading home on Thursday.  We are filling this one up to the brim quilt quilty goodness.

Did you see that yesterday was a Quilty Box Gift-Away Day?  Get your entry in ON THAT POST to enter to win either the full sized Quilty Box, or the Quilty Box Mini! Drawing to happen this coming Friday evening.

June 25, 2018 at 07_23AM

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

Vintage Trip Around the World quilt from our Virginia luncheon last week.

Get in there and start digging – it’s a brand new week ahead!

Have a wonderful Monday, everyone!


13 comments:

  1. Looks like you are having a wonderful time. You are being treated like royalty because you are so great to the people you interact with on the trips.

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  2. I love to visit the suburbs of Chicago and well, Chicago itself. Sounds like three action packed and fun filled days. Enjoy!

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  3. Welcome! You are west of Chicago😉. Wish I was there...enjoy!

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  4. Have a wonderful stay! If you are inclined toward knitting or crochet, Wool and Company is a great yarn store on Main Street. Town House Books is a lovely used and new bookstore with a cafe on Second Street.

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  5. My folks stayed at the Hotel Baker on their wedding night - now - about 72 years ago!! So glad you are enjoying the Fox Valley.

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  6. Looks like a fun time.
    Do you mind sharing the color of Signature 60 thread you are using for EPP that blends well with multiple colors?
    Thank you. Have a great week.

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  7. Clever Bonnie to visit Illinois in June. It's the best time of year there. Enjoy!

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  8. Just got back from Walmart and was able to get my copy of the July/August Quiltmakers magazine. Now to try the new block.

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  9. Can hardly wait for the Carolina Chain workshop and to meet THE Bonnie Hunter. Hope the rain stops!

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  10. Haven't been to St Charles IL and the Fax River in 30 years! Nice to see it's still beautiful!

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  11. Claudia here. So glad your lost items are found!

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  12. They changed the name to "Michaganians" many years ago while I still lived there. I still prefer "Michaganders" but I guess the powers to be didn't want to be goose-like.

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  13. I am going to love showing that fox to every visitor until the end of time...such a fun discovery & story to go with it!

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