Illinois

We went to Illinois to visit Don's family and attend his 35th high school reunion. We started in Lovington with Don's mom. It was much cooler in Illinois then it has been here.

We went to a place called Rockome Gardens. It's been around since the 1930's. Sharon said that at the time people out of work were given jobs building the gardens. It's been bought and sold lots of times over the years. Most recently it was bought by a couple who were saving it from being torn down and sold as building lots. Talk about a money pit. It really is an interesting place. Lots of Amish in the area. There were Amish buggy rides. Usually a 75 year old Amish man gives the buggy rides but there was a wedding that day so he was not there. Instead the owner gave us a ride and shared the history of the gardens.

At the gardens.

Hanging out in a tee pee

Panning for gold with Grandma Sharon and Dad

We rode all around the gardens in an Amish buggy. That was a first. When I was a kid we used to go to Pennsylvania and visit Amish country so I really enjoy repeating that experience with Sean. I asked the owner how it worked with the Amish driving the buggy for tourist. He said the driver just steps away during pictures.

They had an awesome beehive where you could see all the activity going on. We bought some honey comb. My mother in law thought it was funny us coming from the beehive state and buying honey. It is funny. It's Amish honey!