Day 15 - USA Tour - Marengo, IL

Overnight: Marengo, IL
Sightseeing Day:
- Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio
- Unitarian Temple designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
- Ernest Hemingway's Birthplace

This morning we awoke early with the sun in our eyes at 5:15 AM. We have to get some black-out curtains; it's just too early.

We dawdled until we left at 8:45 AM for our jaunt today. The traffic heading toward downtown wasn't too bad except in one spot where we crawled for 20 minutes. The roads into town are toll roads, so we are still trying to learn to navigate which lane to be in for cash payment.

It took us about 1.5 hours to get to Oak Park, the area to view the Frank Lloyd Wright and Hemingway homes. We decided to grab a bite to eat at Denny's before we went on the hour tours at each place.

I certainly enjoyed Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio. I think Dave's beginning to appreciate it, too. Or, he's at least doing a good job of humoring me. The tour was about 1.5 hours, so we were tired when done.



Next we drove to the Unitarian church to see that design. Again, it was unique. Simplistic yet so functional so that every attendee can see the pulpit at the same time--kind of a pulpit in the round (oh, I mean, square--he doesn't do many "circles").



Our last stop was the home in which Ernest Hemingway was born and lived until he was about 7 years old. I didn't know much about Hemingway, except for a few of the books he wrote and, of course, his granddaughters Margo and Muriel, who are/were movie stars. I took the opportunity last night to read up about his life on the Internet. I was quite surprised by the life he lived.

Geniuses sure do live strange lives, such as Mr. Wright an Mr. Hemingway. I find it very fascinating to learn about peoples' lives. Reading a biography or autobiography is typically my favorite type of book.

We arrive back at the RV about 3:30 and Dave took his nap. I crocheted and reworked tomorrow's sojourn because we are expecting a lot of rain. We had planned to go to a 19th Century living history village, but that's all outside. So, I've planned a few indoor activities instead. Not sure we'll be doing the village this trip, as we need to move on to get to the reunion on time.

I am still reading my "Civil War for Dummies" book, and learning so much about that era as well. By the time I get home, I hope I can remember at least half of what I've learned. Trivia anyone?