Monarch Landing residents travel the world together

When friends at Monarch Landing senior living community heard resident Jan Park was planning a trip to China, interest in the journey through Beijing, Shanghai and other cities spread like wildfire.

Though Park's husband, Wing, did not accompany her, eight other residents joined her on a trip across the world they probably wouldn't have taken had they not had each other.

"The great benefit of being at Monarch Landing is that I'm able to do things I wouldn't have otherwise. Wing's parents are from China, and I've always wanted to go," said Park, whose interest in the country also was sparked by an exhibit of the terra cotta warriors at Chicago's Field Museum.

For resident Kathy Casper, going to China was not necessarily on her "bucket list." But the widowed 81-year-old seized the opportunity to see another culture within the camaraderie of the Monarch Landing group.

So did Drew Piraino, whose wife is a resident of the adjoining Springs at Monarch Landing health and rehab center.

"My friends encouraged me to get out and enjoy myself," he said.

While the trip to the Far East was not under the auspices of the Monarch Landing travel club, several of the residents who went also have sojourned with the active group. Along with 24 others already signed up, Casper is planning to go to Greece with the club in the fall, as is resident Carl Roback. Roback went to China and has begun to travel again after many years of caring for his late wife.

"I never thought I'd get to China," said Park, 61. "It was wonderful to be able to see a different culture, and the history is just amazing. Living at Monarch Landing, even if Wing doesn't go with me, I can still travel the world with friends."

On the late-April trip, the seniors walked as many as 9 miles a day through various cities and sites, including the Great Wall of China.

"It was a rigorous trip; they kept us on the move," Casper said. "I've never been as far as China."

Casper's travels with her husband took her to Israel, Russia and Europe before he passed away 14 years ago.

For Piraino, knowing his wife was being cared for at The Springs while he was in China was priceless peace of mind.

"I've been traveling much more since I moved to Monarch Landing," said the 74-year-old, who went with the travel club to Spain and Portugal in October and is also planning to go to Greece.

"I knew this was the active, independent lifestyle I wanted, and I have it at Monarch Landing," Casper said.

Park agrees.

"Wing and I looked at other communities, but nothing compared to Monarch Landing," she said. "The camaraderie and friendships we've developed here are just wonderful."

Globe-trotting residents will have even more opportunity to bond in faraway lands, as not only are they going to Greece this year, they also have their sights on a 36-day cruise to Australia and New Zealand next spring.

Monarch Landing is a Life Plan Community in Naperville. It offers independent living, promoting a vibrant life style for active seniors.

The Springs at Monarch Landing offers assisted living memory support, enriched living, respite, rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, providing complete continuing care for seniors.

For information visit WelcomeToMonarchLanding.com or TheSpringsatMonarchLanding.com.