Friday, June 27, 2008

Clark and Estes, southeast corner detail

7077 N. Clark
Wishing Well Laundromat

Wow, it's been a while since I posted. Last month
we went to Milwaukee for Memorial Day weekend. It may sound strange, but Milwaukee is a great and easy getaway for Chicago types. It's 1 1/2 hours by train, and one block from the station to the Milwaukee Hilton. Just enough distance to feel like you're on vacation, but no need for a car. We went to the water park in the hotel several times, although Felix enjoyed the arcade (500 tickets for a plastic ring) more than the slides. We also went to the Milwaukee Public Museum, which had one of those butterfly exhibits. Afterwards Felix pronounced the experience to be "very scary."

Three weeks ago we went back to Ohio for the bridal shower of Angela's future sister-in-law. Felix and I stayed with my parents while Angela and her mom fulfilled their various obligations. Then we all met at Geneva-on-the-Lake, which is a lot like a sleazy carnival with large amounts of Ohio wine. My parents had never been there, and I think they got a kick out of it. It was above 90 degrees the whole time we were there.

Last week I gave my Preservation Snapshot lecture on Ultra Local Geography at the Chicago Cultural Center. There were between 40 and 50 people there, which was surprising. I got to see some old friends I wasn't even expecting. Nice to know there's so much interest out there.