In choosing my route back to Kalamazoo, I made meeting up with my Facebook friend, Mary, a priority.
I got settled in at Illinois Beach State Park and headed to Lake Forest to rendezvous with her for dinner. I got there a little early and decided to look around. There was a quaint little town square in front of the train station where she would be arriving.
The flagpole looked like more than just a way to display the flag. I walked over to investigate.
It was a World War I memorial with a quote from Woodrow Wilson.
Apparently the good people of Lake Forest were right on top of getting this memorial up. The date is 1917.
After strolling around a bit and looking at all the upscale shops – Williams-Sonoma, J.McLaughlin, and Talbots – the overwhelming scent of money got to me and I headed over to the train station to wait.
I waited more or less patiently.
Finally, the train arrived.
Mary got off the train and we were chatting like long-lost friends. After all, we had known each other for years – albeit on Facebook.
After we finished up our dinner, we finally got around to getting our picture taken. You know what they say, “If there’s no photo, it didn’t happen.” You’ll have to take my word that we did eat dinner.
We headed back over to the train station.
There was a bell on a pedestal. You could actually move the lever and ring it.
According to the inscription, this seems to be a suitable memorial for Edward H. Bennett, Jr.
The train pulled in and Mary got on.
I hope we meet again.
Right back at you, Mary!