We returned to Peoria early this past week and found that central Illinois had been getting much rain during Memorial Day weekend. We did not get severe weather here like in many other places in the west and midwest, but the rain continued on and off throughout the week, causing some flooding and making the ground pretty soggy. Last night around sunset with the storm system nearly through we saw a nice double rainbow. Our garden is starting to pop already, even with standing water at times. Our corn and beans seem to be off to the best start.
Yesterday, the family started visiting locations in central Illinois for the annual Peoria Academy of Science Science Treasure Hunt. If the girls visit at least 8 sites and do some experiments and fill out this sort of passport-type book, they can get in drawings to win prizes in the fall. We visited a 500-year old large burr oak tree along the bluffs in Peoria. It is really cool with the sprawling branches and indeed a rare sight, but now it reminds us of some of the sprawling live oaks in central Texas. We saw four rabbits hanging out under the tree. We also made a stop at the research library at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria and learned about blood circulation. We stopped at the riverfront, not for the treasure hunt, but to look for the watermarks from the big flood several weeks ago (Kris is pointing to it in the picture). We stopped at the Caterpillar Visitor's Center, where we got to play in the equipment and learn about the past and present of Caterpillar, Inc.
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