June 10, 2009
We discussed traveling for a long time before embarking on a little road trip because my near isolation in the last weeks has kept me reasonably well. Finally we determined to try a very controlled journey in a car, and armed with an ultraviolet disinfecting wand, Purell, surgical masks, a slew of medications and a very fine letter from the oncologist in which he outlines the illness, the other chronic conditions that have joined in, my medications, and most importantly, the complete information about my insurance coverage, we started off on Sunday afternoon. We had taken Alphie to his usual kennel where he remains “in storage” (as Charles says – I am still not as convinced that dogs live only in the moment and do not feel the passage of time, as is the common claim).
We had been on the road for a little over an hour when we were overtaken by a severe storm with rain, wind and hail – the worst we have ever experienced while driving in a car. We were on the Interstate, and the sides of the road were lined with stopped cars because visibility went to zero. Thankfully, the hail was not so large that it dented the car, or damaged the windshield, but there were small white drifts of it on the sides of the roads, and under trees, there were leaves chopped into fine green bits. We did get to our destination in good shape, and we determined not to regard this beginning to our travels as an omen of things to come. So far, all is well.
Tuesday, we drove to downtown Chicago to revisit “The Bean” at Millennium Park and walk the length of the new bridge from there to the splendid 200+ million dollar addition to the Art Institute, both designed by Renzo Piano, an architect whose work and ability to use natural lighting in spaces that display art are truly remarkable. We went with daughter Janna and family and met dear friends there for lunch. The day was such that when we arrived in Millennium Park, the tops of the tall buildings were wreathed in mists, and everything was magical. It was a grand day. I reflected that no photo or film would be able to replicate what it was like to stand on the bridge and look back at the Frank Gehry band shell, watching the bright colors of groups of school children move through the park and feeling the air blowing in from Lake Michigan across the spaces there. The new part of the Art Institute is truly beautiful, just as splendid as has been reported. So, on this cool June day, we delight in the adventure, look forward to the coming days, and hope for the best!