People Of Spring Fling Chicago

About the recently attended garden blogger meetup in Chicago, photos of the gardens visited are displayed in many posts, some of them nearly identical. Pondering what we might have in the can that could be of interest yet not shown elsewhere the idea of people came to mind. Normal operating procedure is to not include people photos in the posts with rare exceptions like family get togethers. But this is different and I hope no one minds if some shots are shown of the good times had by all at this yearly event. We begin at my friend Gail of Clay and Limestone’s home. I drove to Nashville from the Fairegarden, a three and one half hour trip, in the gas guzzler, to spend the night at her place so we could fly together to Chicago. On the morning of day one, the sun came through her garden of benign neglect. It was a good omen for things to come.Here she is with arms outstretched ready to share the lovliness of her home and garden. Thanks, Gail for your hospitality. You are the most generous of hosts.Managing to get overstuffed suitcases and carryons in and out of the gas guzzler, on and off the parking shuttle, to curbside check in, off the luggage carousel, in and out of the cab, into the hotel rooms, sometimes with help, sometimes without, we were ready to explore. The first bloggers we met up with were Lisa of Greenbow and her charming sister Tena. We went straight to the bean (Cloud Gate) at Millenium Park for the requisite photos. Left to right: me, Tena, Gail and Lisa.We were awed by the Lurie Garden, did a quick shopping detour then headed back to the hotel. A train ride out to Barrington was in our future and we had to find the Ogilvie station. While chatting at a stoplight about not knowing exactly where we needed to go, this kind lady overheard us and said, “Follow me!”. Follow we did and after purchasing our tickets, were to find ourselves seated with her for the trip. The laughter never stopped that night. Lisa on the left, our new best friend smiling indulgently in the middle and life of the party Tena on the right.The reason for the train ride was to view the gardens of the energetic Mr. McGregor’s Daughter. We were late arrivals and only got a quick view, but it was enough to see what a paradise she had created. We came, we saw, then we went to eat at a nearby restaurant. Some took the train home, but some took the Thelma and Louise express. Many thanks to the team of Rose and Beckie for getting us safely back to the hotel, and an hour ahead of the train too! In the photo above is Nancy France of My Garden Spot, MMD and daughter, Tena, Gail and Lisa.The next morning we took another train ride, trolley ride, tram ride to and at the magnificent Chicago Botanical Gardens. Many have said this was the high point of the fling. The garden was huge and we did not see nearly all of it. Shown above is me, Carol of May Dreams Gardens, Elizabeth of Garden Rant and Gardening While Intoxicated and Maryann of Idaho Gardener. Note to self: do not lean against something when being photographed, some lower parts are wide enough without being squished flatter.The Echium towers at the CBG have been shown on many blogs. If I can find the rest of the name, this will be updated. Gail gives some perspective of the size of it. Added: this is Echium pininana, thanks Chuck B. It is difficult to get to know someone without having several conversations. There were quite a few bloggers that I really wanted to connect with but did not manage it. An exception is the *elegant yet mischievious* (words of Pam at Digging) Layanee of Ledge and Gardens. Having missed the Austin fling last year due to travel problems, she made an extra effort to avoid that heartbreak this time around. She was all I had been told to expect and more.The final shot on the memory card shows Layanee and Gail at a chocolate shop inside the shopping mecca containing Nordstom’s on Michigan Avenue. Also known as the Magnificent Mile, Gail was not going to leave Chicago without a pilgrimage to this store. We all bought chocolate gifts, a variety pack for The Financier was well received upon my return. A bonus was a free truffle, our choice if we opted to not use the store shopping bag. What do you think we all did?
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These are all the people shots that were taken. More garden pictures and building photos from the Architectural Cruise will be revealed later.
Frances