This spectacular weekend began with a circus-like caravan train-vehicles all driving to Lake Villa, Illinois. The circus Manager, “Bossman” Rob, had the grounds ready for the crowd. For each of these three vehicles, there were a picnic table, a golf cart, and and a four-wheeler waiting.
Soon, everything was unloaded and ready for the show at ring number one.
We had trails to ride, with golf carts, four-wheelers, bicycles, and even on foot. During the miles traveled, we found a few feathers. These first three feathers are all from wild turkeys.
This next feather though striped like the others, is from a northern barred owl, also known as a hoot owl.
I picked up this feather that came from a yellow-shafted flicker.
Finally, I have several blue-jay feathers.
How did I know what birds these feathers all came from? I used this trusty book from my library, “Bird Feathers; A guide to North American Species” by S. David Scott and Casey McFarland, published in 2010.
After the overland treks, we took our adventures to the water. “Bossman” Rob first snuck several of us to a nearby speakeasy for a few adult beverages.
When I spotted this eagle along the waterway, my friends would not let me climb the tree to pull “just one” tail feather”. They did sing “shake a tail feather” from Ray Charles and the Blues Brothers.
We finally made our way to Blarney Island, ring number three.
Every Thursday night during the summer, there are high-performance boat races.” “Bossman” Rob (first person on the left), got us there just in time. We had snacks, drinks, and burgers while watching the races.
The races lasted till sundown.
“Bossman” Rob then ferried us to another lake to watch fireworks in the center ring, as we sat in boats. My son had wanted to christen his boat in Chain-o-Lakes waters. He also received fireworks. His boat is lit up under the explosions.
Back to circus-land, I was surprised by a few souvenirs. Similar in size to General Tom Thumb, I was given a tiny book. This is Langenscheidt’s “Lilliput English/Spanish Dictionary” published in 1961. It is 1 1/4 inches wide, and 2 inches tall.
I used the book to translate “El mayor espectáculo del mundo!”.
It became “The Greatest Show On Earth!”. “Bossman” Rob then gave us all a midnight showing of that very movie. It was the Academy Award winning movie in 1952, vividly portraying life of circus performers and workers.
The three-rings worth of adventures this weekend was phenomenal. It was aptly summed up by my granddaughter who stated, “this was the Best Day Ever!“
Thanks “Bossman” for making this weekend happen. Thanks friends and family for being there.
And thanks all for reading.
Librarytomes 