Two very different places and outlooks on life.

I’ve combined two days into one in this post. So much is happening!

The Amish countryside is peaceful , quiet like stepping back in time to a simpler life.

The countryside is a rich farming area and the farms predominantly owned and run by the Amish people are beautifully kept.

The towns in this area worth exploring are Berlin, Charm, Walnut Creek, as well as pottering up and down the much smaller roads reviewing the farms.

Everywhere you will see the buggies being driven by mum or dad. Mum in the traditional head piece and simple plain fabric dress. Bearded Dad is in work pants, braces and a straight brimmed hat.

Today I wore my simple grey dress and if I’d added the headpiece I would have almost fitted in. No makeup. Simple hairstyle.

There is a lot of corn growing here and it’s the sweetest corn ever.

We went into Berlin and found barns full of furniture rustic in style and made by the Amish people. Also all manner of bibs and bobs. lots of flower stalls and fruit stalls and as Thanksgiving is approaching, pumpkins everywhere.

Driving along you must be patient as you’ll often find yourself behind a buggy. Also cycles are now popular – ones with electric motors to get them up and down the undulating hills.

We stopped in Charm for a few things at their general store where we were served by the loveliest Amish girls. They have the best sweet peaches here!

In the afternoon we arrived in Millersberg. Once again the County Courthouse dominated the centre of town right at its only set of lights.

We stayed in the Millersberg Hotel an oldy worldy place with a baby grand in the parlour, carpet runners and an enormous bedroom with two double beds and a huge bathroom.

Steve caught up on his washing. Travelling makes it hard to wash clothes. We washed everything at Lynn’s in NY and I wash little bits every night. But all the space meant washing and hanging to almost dry in the morning and final drying in the car.

Dinner was Mexican ! Strange but great choice. I had a margarita as big as my head and Steve a thirst quenching beer. We felt bad because other people sitting around us in the restaurant were Amish and they had water.

As you can see from photos I’m wearing my black white checked dress a lot. It’s perfect for the climate along with my plain grey Amish dress. In Scotland I wore jeans and black pants with a light jumper / shirt/ puffer. Here’s it’s warm not really hot. Perfect touring weather.

When we left this beautiful area early the next morning it was misty and cloudy and again the countryside looked prosperous.

We detoured on the way into Chicago. We stopped to look at Notre Dame University. What a campus it is.

Our sat nav , which is great, confused us a few times. The lady started with the directions then said ‘ I’m sorry …… I’ll start again’.

Not once but on two separate occasions. So funny.

We made it to Chicago through a freeway traffic jam. Our hotel is in a great location.

After checking in we took off to explore and a train ride to an area north. We were visiting The Green Mile. A jazz club recommended to us. On the way we tried Thai Street food. Very good.

The club was funny. One cranky sullen door man collecting the $10 cover charge with no smile. No welcome and no information about what we would see.

It was jazz swing night. A very good 12 piece band and some good singers. Some great old favourites and they encouraged dancing. I love watching the dancers. They are usually a bit older and obviously practice at home. There were locals there. They knew each other and were dancing together. Great fun but it got very crowded so decided to leave around 9.40. Early by jazz club standards !

We had a full day of sightseeing planned !

We headed out to Oak Park. We’d booked a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s own house and studio. The tour given by Patti was great. I’m loving all the FLW architecture. Prairie style it’s called.

The house is so unusual. Attention to detail and lots of rooms within rooms to house his 6 children.

His studio was equally spare. He was the Marie Kondo of his time. No clutter everything especial designed and loved.

We then walked Forest St with 9 FLW houses. They are very different to the style of the other houses in the street. They too are beautiful but suddenly look rather fussy when next to a FLW design.

We walked to Oak Garden Station. if you are going to see FLW architecture it is a long way out. And check the right train. Several stations have the same name. Get to Oak Park Garden on the Green line.

Back to downtown we caught the above ground loop train which gives great views of the city streets.

We got off to see the art gallery and to walk in the gardens. Particularly the Millennium garden with the famous Bean which reflects the buildings around it. Only problem ….. it’s being renovated and was fenced off

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We enjoyed an hour and half in the late afternoon sun in a First Lady Architecture tour. It was great. The boat we chose has architecture people give commentary. Our lady was perfect. Other boats seem to have brief commentary but this gave an excellent overview of the buildings and the history of architecture in this great city.

I’ll do a separate post in the buildings.

We finished the cruise just out in the mouth of the river at Lake Michigan as the sun was setting. It was stunning.

We walked a little after the cruise before getting the metro up town to Kingston Mines- a blues club. We had a great night eating, drinking, singing and soaking up the atmosphere in this blues club. We were in the Fullerton area another lively neighbourhood.