Illinois To The Gateway To The West

8/27/10 This time I am going to blog in order of our continued adventure. It makes it easier when you don't even remember what day it is and you have to look at your pictures to jog your memory. We left Door County, WI this day and headed back to Green Bay then over to Osh Kosh and Lake Winnebego before dropping south towards Illinois. The corn and soybean fields continue to dot the landscape. South of Rockford, IL we had a walleye fish fry dinner and looked at the campground book which led us 14 miles down a country road to Byron, IL. We stayed at this campground on Lake Louise (no, not Alberta, Canada). We were about the only tent campers and couple with a motorcycle. So, before we had set up the tent we had 3 visitors wanting to welcome us. Hank set up a fire for us, Mark wanted to tell us about his Dad he was taking care of that had Alzheimer's and about when he was a teenager and got his girlfriend pregnant but he got a job to support her, and Dave that was just running around in his golf cart with beer. We got a true taste of the working boys from west of Chicago and they were all really nice! The place reminded us of Skagit River Woods with golf carts and full time trailers!

8/28/10 Springfield, IL. This is where Abraham Lincoln is buried. Inside is the crypt that he is in as well as the crypts for his wife and 3 of the 4 kids. The memorial is beautiful and in a working cemetery. This is the land of Lincoln. We were too late to visit the museum and library. Since it was so hot and humid we opted for a motel. Sometimes you just need a shower and bathroom closer than 500 feet from your mattress!

8/28/10 The home of Abraham and Mary Lincoln. This was a really cool street with numerous old houses that have been restored and turned into a historic district. We were the only ones on the street since it was late at night. Great way to tour! The church they attended was nearby and a beautiful old structure that continues to be a place of worship.

8/28/10 Downtown Springfield at the Old Capitol Building. One of the reasons we stayed in town was because of the annual Blues and BBQ Festival. A huge crowd of over 1000 people, 44 BBQ cook off stations and about 50 BBQ vendors and beverage places. A perfect combination with yummy ribs and very nice people. Well, when the first band went up to plug in they blew some major circuit or something and 5 hours later they still didn't get it fixed. Can you believe that? So, in the heat and humidity we plopped ourselves down at a table with others. Mike and Eric ended up being our "best friends" for the evening! They had been imbibing for a LONG time so it made the night interesting. They were about 5 years younger than us, truck drivers, and good friends. One of them was a history and travel buff so he gave us tons of fun information and no hesitation about trashing the government! As he said about the lack of power- "hey, we can't even convict the governor of the state, what makes you think we can restore power in Springfield, the capitol!" Did I tell you that this trip has been full of colorful people? So much for my chance to listen to some Chicago blues!

8/29/10 Starting our adventure on part of Route 66 in Illinois. This is the (past) infamous Luna Cafe- which now is mainly a tavern for the locals. It was Sunday at 11 am and there were 5 locals at the bar. A couple struck up conversation with us and boy did we change our plans after that discussion. One of them reminded me of Norm from Cheers! His wife was working until 6 pm and he had all day to mow the lawn so after he did the front he was just stopping by for some cold refreshments and visit with his buddy before tackling the back yard. He said he was watching his watch! Anyway, they encouraged us to divert our route and follow the "river road back north, over the rivers and into Missouri that way." After listening to them debate which roads to take, which restaurants to eat in and a touch of politics we headed out.

Mark getting the low down from the local guys about what route to divert to. The multiple tattooed bartender didn't know what dark beer was! Sorry I asked. This was a classic Route 66 attraction. Thanks for the maps Ken and Cheryl!

8/29/10 So, off on the river road following the 2 rivers byway we headed towards Grafton, IL. Yes, we were going backwards from our earlier morning route. Along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers were limestone rock, trees, bicyclists and lots of motorcycles. It was REALLY HOT and we didn't know where to eat so when I saw a little girl selling lemonade with her grandpa I knew they were the ones to ask. After drinking a couple glasses of lemonade Grandpa directed us to O'Jan's Fish House. The buffalo fish is local and they fan it out and deep fry it and put it on wonderbread with tartar sauce! The catfish gumbo and Dr. Pepper topped it off!

This is the "ferry" that takes you across the river. It's an actual barge that is towed by the tug. It holds about 15 vehicles. We went across the Illinois River at Per Marquette but we still had the Mississippi to cross. Did I tell you that we have never been so hot and sweaty!

So, to quench our thirst and figure out where the next "ferry" was we stopped at this quaint old country store that was a kick back to the 50's. This gal made us old fashioned root beer sodas. They had all the old stuff for sale like candy cigarettes, Daisy BB guns (just like we had growing up), quilts, Amish goodies, a post office, wood furniture and anything else Americana PLUS air conditioning! ""Follow the Golden Eagle ferry signs through the cornfields" she said," to get to the next ferry." The signs were just painted plywood and the roads, well you can see below!

Seriously, who would ever think that the roads would be like this going to a ferry crossing? It was so much fun and more of the true adventure we were looking for. Thanks to the guys at the Luna Cafe and Bar for the idea!

We found it and on the barge we went! The driveway area was so steep Mark took the bike to the bottom of the hill and I stood in line to hold our spot! Here I am (with the neck cooler- thanks Bruce and Lori) on the Mississippi River!! It was about about a 10 minute crossing. The river around here flooded big time in 1993 and the shops, etc. had markings on them how high the water went. At the restaurant we ate it it was at 36 feet up the side. It was weird to see trees and power poles in the water even now. Our little river diversion took us all day to complete!

8/29/10 Gateway to the West! Here are the arches in St. Louis Missouri. It was a long day to get here and Mark had enough fun getting through construction on the highways and battling the heat so as he was drinking Gatorade at the gas station I made a phone call to one of the P.E.O. B & B's in town. With that last minute phone call Alice and John were so very gracious to "take us in"! They have been hosting P.E.O.'s for over 12 years and between the other gals in the chapter they raised $15,000 last year for the educational projects we support. They had also been to Utah Canyons in the past so gave us more information on that part too. Before we went to their home in the suburbs we went to the Arches, the River Walk and ate dinner at the Landing. (these were suggestions from the "guys" at the Non-Blues and BBQ fest!)

8/30/10 Another area to get on Route 66. It basically follows I-44 which we were on more of the time. Mark did a good job of listening to me when I said I wanted a picture of him under a Route 66 sign for the blog. He maneuvered that machine around the pole and beauty salon parking lot for me!

8/30/10 When we left from St. Louis it was an absolute rain downpour. Other than Hawaii I don't think that I've been in 77 degrees and rain with 52% humidity! We got to utilize our new raingear and it worked great. Here we are at the World's Largest Rocking Chair on Route 66 in Fanning, Missouri. (this picture is for you Corinna in memory of the biggest ball of yarn)
We stopped for lunch at a Smokehouse BBQ joint and had the BEST ribs, pulled pork and brisket with beans and slaw! Can you tell we are getting more south? Came out after lunch and it was 92 degrees and no rain. Wow, can things change fast around here.

8/30/10 Some of the terrain and the "20 % chance of thunderstorm/rain" looking cloud. We decided to change course again and head a little more south. After Springfield, Missouri (yes, we were in 2 Springfields this week) we headed to Branson, Missouri! Since we weren't going to Nashville we decided to get a little music and country fix! So, through the Ozarks we went playing cat and mouse with the semi's on the grades. Even saw a dead feral hog on the side of the highway. Time for another motel and to play tourist!

We have been putting in some 8-10 hour days on the bike and need more than one night somewhere. We have logged about 4,100 miles on the trip so far and we've just started our western turn! Another good reason to have skipped the east coast is that hurricane Earl is trying to set down right where we were going.

8/30/10 Branson, Missouri. This area is called the Landing and is in the old historic town. We got a motel and will spend 2 nights. This has given me a chance to catch up on the blog, journal and wear shorts! Tomorrow we are going to the afternoon show of "The Legends in Concert" ( impersonators of Elvis, Micheal Jackson, Blues Brothers, Little Richard, Alan Jackson and yes, Brittany Spears) and then the night show of "The Duttons"- they are a music variety show that has been on TV, America's Got Talent finalists. We are playing tourist now. Mark even got a picture of me in front of a bass boat at the Bass Store. (for you Brian!) We will head west tomorrow towards Joplin, Missouri and either skirt Kansas into Oklahoma or go right in. Depends on which route we venture!
We have been thinking about all of you back home and wish you the best as the summers ends.