Betsy's Trip to Chicago

I am so excited!!!! I got to go to Chicago to visit with Sandra Orr, my very best friend from Louisville.  She moved to Utah, back to Louisville, then to Michigan, and back to Louisville and then back to Utah, but from there they moved to Chicago.  She is one of the sweetest, kindest and soft hearted ladies I know.  She and I love to scrapbook, talk, decorate, and just feel good with each other.  

I drove up from Louisville.  The drive was great - it was about 5 hours long but really no bad traffic.  I found her house easily thanks to modern GPS technology.

The first night we spent the day and night together at her house.  We drove around the area so I could see where the kids go to school, where she shops, etc.  It was just great to be with her again.  She is such a good friend.  It was great to see Emma, and Adam, too.  They both have grown up so much.  Emma's a teenager and has the most darling room!  Adam's room is all about camping - so cute!  Darrin came home - it was nice to see him again.  He and Mark have similar job situations, but Darrin does more tax than finance.  Sandra and I went out to do some shopping and then scrapbooked the rest of the night.  Sandra and Darrin bought a home that is over 100 years old and renovated it.  They are almost done with all the renovations - it is amazing!  It looks fantastic, but they have spent 8 months living in chaos (according to Sandra).  

The next day we went to see Hamilton at 2:00 pm.  It is this very modern and popular broadway show about Alexander Hamilton.  The drive into Chicago was easy, but the weather was so thick with fog.   You couldn't even see to the top of most buildings.

Sandra Orr and Betsy - best friends!

After the play we spent the day together talking, laughing, crying and sharing stories.  Our love and compassion for each other runs so deep.  We share about our kids, our selves, our callings - we can talk about anything with each other.  She truly is one of my very best friends.  I hope I am as good of a friend to her as she is to me.

Sunday I drove back to Louisville.

Savannah, GA with Sandra Orr

Our first stop after checking into the Marriott riverfront was to eat lunch at the Pirate House.  We had a delicious lunch and then were given a tour by Anne Boone.  The building is the oldest in all of Savannah.  

We then took a trolley ride all around the city learning historical facts along the way and at each stop.  We walked around the Marriott mansion and the famous park, and settled into our room before catching our ghost tour at 7:00.  I enjoyed the boutique shops right along the river.  The ghost tour took us to the Anthony Low mansion, and other places that are said to be haunted by people that used to live there.

At the Pirate House for lunch

The Pirate house restaurant

seeing a train on the tour

statue made for the olympics

After a great day of sightseeing, we went on a Ghost tour that evening.  We had the best tour guide.  I was caught up in her stories.  At times I was even scared of what was going to happen next.

Our tour guide

After the Ghost tour we had a native desert to the Savannah Georgia area!  It was great fun.  We ate at a nice restaurant right on the river.

That night we took a ferry ride over to the island, where there is a grand hotel.  It was beautiful but I'm glad we stayed in Savannah.  We are at the Riverfront Marriott and it is perfect.  It is right on the waterfront, it is right next to all the day and night activity that makes Savannah so special.

The next morning, after I went for a short run, because it started to rain, we drove out to Tybee Island to see the set of the new movie "Baywatch 2017."  The movie has Rock Johnson and Zach Efron in it.  Unfortunately, it was rate R and didn't get to see it.  The set was amazing.

On the way back to Savannah from Tybee Island we stopped at a beautiful garden cemetery called, Bonaventure Cemetery.  It is known for being the famed midnight in the garden cemetery.  Sandra and I explored the cemetery for over an hour.  It was huge and had beautiful gardens.  It was so peaceful.  It was so big, I was worried about getting lost.  

On the way Sandra and I got into an argument that was very hurtful.  I dropped her off at the hotel and drove around for a while.  I just wanted to get away.  We both said we were sorry and met at Paula Deans for dinner.  We met up with Hannah's best friend, Michayla.  She played basketball for SOHS.  Jessica had to play against her.  She is a very sweet young lady.  I ordered the steak even though it was like $30.  YIKES!!!  It was delicious and we had a wonderful visit.  Michayla is in Savannah attending their art school.  She is very talented.

On the drive back we had a wonderful talk.  It was good to have some fun time away with Sandra, and even better to clear the air.