Laowai

Over the weekend we went to The Grove. It’s a nature and history center in the city of Glenview – not too far from our house. We intended to mostly go for a picnic and a walk in the woods, but then we discovered their cool log interpretive center (log building, not interpreting logs). Somehow we missed this building the few times we visited before. It was full of animals – tons of turtles, snakes, a few birds, mice, salamanders and fish too. It was really a surprise so see all those animals as well as some cool taxidermy and other nature stuff. It was all housed inside a rustic log building with a big wrap around porch that felt like it could be out West in the mountains. So we got to see all those interesting animals and a lady came around with a tame skunk in her arms. That was the highlight for me – petting a skunk. I think her name was Cora – she had a petit face and she was quite soft. Now Bea wants a pet skunk.

I’ve declared that this is the summer of the picnic – I want a picnic each and every weekend! So far Brian has been taking charge of making and packing some yummy picnic food. We spread out this weekend’s picnic in front of the historical Dr. John Kennicott Gothic Revival House:

Brian was traveling last week – he brought back a new Swiss shirt for Bea and Claire got her hand-me-down.

Here’s the log building where all the animals and the rescued skunk live. I was too busy being silly excited about petting a skunk to stop and take a picture.

And we also did go for a short hike. Lots of big old oaks and fun boardwalks. And it was hot.