Our Great Lakes Adventure: Days 9-11

Hubertus is located in the gently rolling farmlands just north of Milwaukee. We spent the next three days there with Janet and Ehsan Soofi.

Janet and Ehsan have two sons, both of whom are married with young children--Nina, Niko, and Samuel. The photos on the wall show Nina, the oldest, and Niko, her little brother--children to their oldest son, Kaveh, and his wife, who live in nearby Chicago. Samuel, the newest arrival and son of their younger son, Samad, lives with his parents in California.

Janet and my sister, Linda--both five years older than I--became best friends during their early years at Jefferson elementary school in Santa Barbara. Janet was close to our family throughout those early years. But when she came to live with us for a few months during her ninth-grade year, Janet found her way into our hearts in a much deeper way. I came to adore her during that time. She and I would ride bikes up and down the steep foothills around our house at 1616 Grand Avenue, and while stopping to rest she would talk to me about her secret crush on a boy a few years older than she.

I felt very privileged that Janet entrusted me with these confidences, and spent the next few years trying to supplant Linda as Janet's best friend. I never succeeded in that regard, and eventually made peace with my role as the pesky little sister.

Our first evening in Hubertus, Ehsan prepared a delicious meal as we settled in at their newly built home that looks out over rolling hills and farmland. We talked long into the evening, catching up on recent events as well as learning about Ehsan's family and his origins in Iran.

The next morning at breakfast, Ehsan introduced us to tea that he brought back from a recent visit to his home city in Iran. I am now convinced that Iranian tea is the best in the world.

Janet then loaded us into her car for a tour of some local points of interest. Our first stop was at a monastery that we could see from their house. Set on a hill 15 miles in the distance, it looks like a castle. This Carmelite monastery, built in 1920, is home to the Discalced Carmelite Friars of the Holy Hill.

Visitors can climb 178 steps to the top of one of the towers, from which one can see Milwaukee 30 miles in the distance.

Janet and Craig chose to stay below while Zach and I climbed to the top. From his stance, I'm guessing Craig is talking thelogy.

Nearing the top on the tower, one must climb a narrow spiral staircase. Here is Zach at the top, and the view from the windows.

Next, Janet took us to the little community where she works as a librarian.

Next to this sculpture at the library entrance we found a brick that commemorates Janet and Ehsan's support. It is a great library. If we'd raised our boys there, I am sure we would have spent a great deal of time in the children's section.

While Janet showed us around and introduced us to her coworkers, Zach disappeared. I found him perusing the videos.

Next, Janet took us to Monches Farm--a delightful place where one can meander through gardens while encountering chickens--real and sculpted--sheep, peacocks, and an extensive plant nursery and gift shop.

On our way back to the house, Janet drove us through Spectacular Sculptures--where a local artist displays his wonderfully creative sculptures made from found objects. The pieces are huge--some 10-to-12 feet tall--and line the drive leading to his house and studio. We were tired by this time, so did not stop to take photos. I did, however, get this shot of his studio.

That evening we walked along Milwaukee's shoreline park, where we got to see the grand finale of an air show that had been going on through the afternoon.

Our final morning in Hubertus, Craig and I drove around the countryside to take photos.

That evening we went to Fond du Lac, where Craig, Zach, and I enjoyed Persian food, music, and dancing at the home of one of their friends. It was good to meet some of Janet and Ehsan's Persian-American community, and to hear Janet kid around with their friends in Farsi. That girl never ceases to amaze me.

I left my camera in its case during this evening among friends. You'll have to take my word for it that Ehsan is a great dancer.