Visit to Flossmoor, Illinois 2/8/15

Cassidy Komorowski

Travelogue

I tapped my space pocket watch three times and soon fell asleep. I woke up in Chicago, Illinois where I took a 45 minute Metra Electric train ride south. Even with my space pocket watch, I was still jetlagged from being overseas so it was nice to be able to sleep a bit more. It was finally my stop and I got off at the Flossmoor train station. Flossmoor, Illinois was a super cute town from what I saw looking over it on the platform. 

The platform was right behind a restaurant called “The Flossmoor Station” and an ice cream place called “Caboose.” I was still full from the yummy cuisine I had earlier and I’m lactose intolerant so I decided not to go in either place. As I walked down the stairs, I saw everyone walking around. There were a lot of people in the town square, which surprised me, but then again the nice weather probably helped. 

I then realized that all the neighborhoods surrounded the town square so everyone just walked whether to the train, library, or to grab a quick snack at the fresh Italian market. I soon followed everyone into the Flossmoor Public Library. I learned all about the town. It was started around 1924 and now has about 9,500 people living there. Generations and generations have passed through the small town and have lived in the same houses. The librarian told me that you cannot get by without someone knowing your Uncle or even your twice-removed cousin. From my observations, my favorite thing about Flossmoor was that it was very mixed – mostly between white and black people. About 48% and 49%. Even though there are generations of families there, as Flossmoor evolved over time it seemed so did the people. The people there was nice and welcoming of everyone. I said goodbye to my new librarian friend, left the library, and proceeded to walk throughout the town.

I noticed that as Flossmoor changed over the years you can still see the old architectural designs in all of the buildings. Some of the places there were places that residents’ grandparents have been going to for years. I stumbled upon the the ballpark where teenagers were reminiscing on their little league days. It seemed liked a place where most life long friendships were made. I watched as coaches taught their sons and daughters the game on the same fields they played on years ago. I remembered when I played spaceships when I was little on the Mother-ship and it made me nostalgic, as most things did. All of the walking made me quite thirsty. I walked back in the town square and decided to stop in “Sweet Annie’s Bakery.” I ordered a Cappuccino and went to enjoy the nice day at the tables outside. The Cappuccino was much needed because it gave me the burst of energy that I needed.

With this new found energy, I decided to go golfing at the Flossmoor Country Club. I had no idea how to golf so I asked one of the golf pros to help me. I was not too good, but it was funny because instead of having to search for my ball I just tapped my space watch and it brought me there. After 9 holes, I was on my way back into town. This long and exhausting day only made me more excited for the next places I would visit. The next thing I knew, I was tapping my space watch and ended up in…