Millennium Park – OsteoPraxis on the road

Starting the process of planning our route east for this years’ travel it became apparent we would be in the US over Memorial day weekend…so threw an inquiry out there to see if an invite could be arranged back to the party we accidentally found ourselves at last year. Cathy and Russ, our Boondockers Welcome hosts in Crete, Illinois responded positively..so the end date of the journey was set…I just had to fill in the dates in between.

This spot was the perfect jump off for us last year as we tackled Route 66.….and explored some of the tourist features of lakefront Chicago. Scott was soooo disappointed last year when ‘the Bean’ was shrouded in construction tarps and fences ( for maintenance and repairs to the walkways)….so here was a chance to go back and actually see it this time.

So…a year on from the epic journey of 2024…..we found ourselves back in Chicago’s Millennium Park on Memorial Day.

……and able to walk, unimpeded, right up to the Bean. (The ultimate selfie spot…!!!)

Last year, after walking over to the sign at the official beginning of Route 66 to take the picture, we had booked the tour at the Frank Lloyd Wright House and Studio, only to find that our path was completely blocked as State Street along with all its’ immediate side streets had been closed for the Memorial Day Parade.

This year with time to spare, we walked up to watch the parade itself….stopping, of course, to take that picture of the sign again…..and for some arty shots of the ‘L’ tracks. (with a few shuddering memories of being jammed in traffic there last year)

The side streets were all blocked off using the city snow plough fleet….!!!

….and could not miss the opportunity to take some pictures of the main street in downtown Chicago at noon on a Saturday…!!!

Yes…me in the turquoise shirt…!!!

We were not quite sure what to expect of the parade……but it turned out to be a very impressive display of marching bands and junior ROTCs

…….there were many groups from neighbouring states….

….and an overwhelming sense of respect from the onlooking crowd…..

….it seemed like each individual youth group were wearing identical, highly polished, black patent leather shoes……that’s a lot of shoes….!!!

And of course…the highlight of this stop….the Drunkin’ Seagull. A really terrific group of people…and more than a few laughs were had. Scott was appointed to hoist the sign for this years’ official season opening…..