About four years ago, travels to share in our younger son's completion of training at Naval Station Great Lakes, and its fine graduation ceremonies, allowed us to venture a bit further north so we could all visit Waukegan, Illinois.

The experiences that took place were directly off the biographic pages of Mr. Bradbury's life and his Green Town tales. The Waukeghan Public Library, the Bradbury Original Homestead, a meal in a small downtown cafe, Ray Bradbury Park, and our "essential walk" of the Ravine all combined to bring about wonderful and memorable RB experiences for our family!

The following video offers an accurate general feel for the location.
However, image "Douglas" crossing this Ravine as the darkness of night settles in. There are no signs or well-constructed sidewalks nor firm wooden bridges available for his hurrying feet or his frightened heart!? And then consider Lavinia Nebbs' night time traverse......!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eicaDNl5j24

In looking at this topic, I noted a post above by Nard Kordell, who was a great friend of Ray Bradbury and this Board, and who passed away much too soon in 2010. Some folks may not be aware of it, but Nard published a slim booklet of photos of Ray Bradbury's Waukegan ravine way back in 1976. The booklet was limited to 500 copies, and is not easy to find these days. It was called THE RAVINE, GREENTOWN ILLINOIS, and sub-titled "A Walk Along the Ravine in Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine, As It Appears in 1976 by Bernard K. Kordell". The link below will take you to a photo of the cover of that booklet. This particular copy had been previously owned by Lord John Press publisher, and Ray Bradbury friend, Herb Yellin. It is inscribed as follows: "Herb! From Nard's Friend - Ray Bradbury Oct. 25, 1980".

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Richard,

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