What a day! Today we started off with Mark on an Illinois Amercian History Tour! Much to Naomi's delight, we started with a visit to a Frank Lloyd-Wright house (Below) that Mark had actually lived in and renovated! He was able to point out the features - like how the design 'hugs' the ground - like the flat of the prairie. FWL also invented the design of the 'four triangles' roof.
Mark then took us to his home (built in the 1840's!) and just down the street we observed a hospital that was originally used to house 'deranged women' - enough said!!
From there we drove an hour an a half through the flat of Illinois farmland - rich with corn and soy bean crop - the area known as the 'Bread Basket of the World'. It was amazing to turn 360 degrees and only see the horizon! Not a mountain or hill in sight.
After a few detours (due to the heavy floodong of the Illinois River) we arrived at Starved Rock to be greeted by an amazing log lodge - built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp.) during the great depression of the 1930's. We had lunch before walking over to Starved Rock, where two tribes of indians trapped another tribe, starving them to death! From there we went to the St. Louis Canyon (pictured above).
A trip back to Geneva, a pick-up by host families, and another day done!
Today (Wednesday) we HAVE to play in a Rotary Golf Tournament before our first official presentation this evening!