Rebecca rejoined the trip in Chicago where we had planned to visit my Uncle who lives there 6 months out of the year. But as our luck had it, he booked a flight back to Chico, CA to spend time with my Aunt right when we made the decision to arrive in Chicago in early June. He was still nice enough to let us stay at his place just outside the city and we got to spend a few hours with him when he flew back to IL.
We took the train downtown to explore the city. The famous Buckingham Fountain, one of the world's largest fountains.
From there it was a mile and half walk over to the Navy Pier.
The Pier had a wonderful stain glass museum that was free to the public.
After a short bus ride we arrived at the free Lincoln Park Zoo. They had an amazing Primate Center. This silverback didn't seem to enjoy being watched.
This youngster was exploring his world.
From Illinois we drove to upstate NY (near the Adirondack Mountains) to stay with some family on my mom's side. My father and his parents are buried in that area so we stopped for a visit. My father spent much of his free time umpiring baseball, hence the baseball themed headstone. My grandparents are buried to the right of him along with my grandmother's parents. It is kind of nice to be able to see most of my family in one area. Too bad they are buried so far away from where I live.
Two hours from the cemetery live my other grandparents. They have a big backyard where Pirate spent most of her time chasing squirrels and birds.
My Great Aunt and Uncle live a few miles away on Lake Cossayuna. My mom's side of the family has been coming to this lake since the 1920's. I grew up fishing on this lake with my grandfather.
My mom's cousin Todd was celebrating his 50th birthday.
The next day we came back to the lake and took out my grandfather's row boat.
While Rebecca has lots of experience paddling canoes and kayaks, this was her first time rowing a boat. It was a gorgeous day.
After a quick visit with my Aunt and Uncle in Connecticut, we drove down to PA to stay with my mom in the house that my parents bought when I was seven. We cooked some veggies and seitan on the grill while it rained.
The sun came out later that week so we went golfing with my mom and her boyfriend.
Long putt for birdie which I did not make.
This was Rebecca's first time golfing and she did really well. This shot landed right on the green.
A couple miles from my childhood home is the area where then General Washington crossed the Delaware River and invaded Trenton, NJ. That victory that was a major turning point in the Revolutionary War. It has been over 230 years and Trenton has still not recovered.
Old homes and buildings have been preserved.
This is Bowman's Tower which was built in 1929. Great views of the area from the top.
My mom lives 30 miles northeast of Philadelphia so we took a quick trip down to visit Andrew and Samantha. Samantha and I went to highschool together and then Samantha, Andrew and I lived together in San Diego with some other friends from highschool after we finished college. Their three-story row home is amazing. They have put a lot of work into that place and it shows.
The dinning room is one of my favorite rooms in the house.
They also have tons of rescued and adopted animals. The last time I visited Uno she didn't really like me but this time we got along splendidly.
Guacamole likes to sunbathe and then take hot showers in the bathtub upstairs.
Even when I lived with Sam and Drew 10 years ago they had pet rats. I can't remember their names but they were cute and friendly.
A few days later they invited over some friends for a Sunday BBQ.
Samantha and Rita kept things classy on the soon-to-be completed Tri-Deckta roof deck.
