Pambling Roads: My Illinois Journal

Illinois!

Our travels have brought us all around the "lower 48" and Canada. We've tried to zip zag, circle through, and around every state we could. Florida was where this endeavor started.

Enjoy your journal.

Thank you for taking this wonderful journey with us. It has been absolutely incredible.

Please keep in mind that some museums don’t allow photography and will not be available on the Pambling Roads Blog

Pambling Roads−My Illinois Journal

Leaving Indiana, we hit the side roads and then swung over to 90 west. We were expecting a nightmare for a drive through Chicago. Wow, we were thrilled. Driving in Chicago on 90 west, with heavy noontime traffic, however, kudos to the Chicago area drivers, no one was stressing, traffic was flowing without a hitch. No one was on the phone, texting, zigzagging in and out, etc. No one was being rude or pushy. They were polite and courteous all the way through.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our trips and are glad you have joined us in our adventures. We have met so many wonderful people from the United States, Mexico, Canada, and all over the world. We have taken hundreds of pictures and plan to share more of our memories with you.

Illinois:

Our stay at the Best Western in Monticello, Illinois was a pleasant visit. They had an indoor heated pool that was huge. We had to use their printer and fax. No problems, no issues, they were very eager to assist us.

www.bestwesternillinois.com/hotels/best-western-monticello-gateway-inn

Monticello Red Wheel was nearby and a blessing. We were very happy with the speed of service, the great tasting food and excellent prices.

www.facebook.com/pages/Monticello-Red-Wheel/117251324960724

Right around the corner from the Best Western hotel is the Railway Museum. It has train displays and a history of the operating railway system. We were hoping to take the train tour, however, we were there mid-week. The train only runs on Saturday and Sunday.

www.mrym.org

We could not go to Illinois without going to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield. It is owned by the National Park Service. The area where the home is located has been beautifully renovated.

Lincoln’s home:

www.nps.gov/liho/index.htm

Lincoln’s Tomb and War Memorial State Site is located practically around the corner from the National Historic Home Site.

www.lincolntomb.org

The New Salem Museum located in Petersburg, Ill was our next tour. It is a reconstructed area of the township of New Salem that Lincoln spent his earlier years in before he became involved in politics.

Oddly enough, this is where we learned what the expression “Where in Sam Hill did you find that?” means.

www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/new_salem.htm

Going around the back roads we were able to see a lot of agricultural areas. Unfortunately, we also saw how bad the drought was affecting everyone. We did see some pretty huge wind farms. We also spent a considerable amount of time driving in circles looking for the Little Grand Canyon. Not sure how we kept missing the turn or what we were supposed to be looking for but we missed it and finally gave up.

Chester, Illinois was our next stop.

Guess what Chester, Illinois’ claim to fame is? Popeye! That’s right, I can hear the song now,

I’m Popeye the sailor man. Toot toot.

I’m Popeye the sailor man. Toot toot.
I'm strong to the finich
Cause I eats me spinach

I'm Popeye the sailor man. Toot toot.

E. C. Segar, the cartoonist who created Popeye and the rest of the cast, was born and raised in Chester, Illinois. The man who made every boy and girl want to eat spinach and be big and strong like Popeye.

The next day after we arrived was Sunday. The Popeye museum wasn’t open so we were not able to spend any time there.

However, the Chester Welcome Center on Bridge Bypass Rd. near the Chester Bridge has a beautiful lookout over the Mississippi River and an informative section for Illinois and Chester. The lookout was awesome. I have never seen the Mississippi River. I could have stayed there for hours looking at it. I still get goose bumps thinking about it. A train went by while I was mesmerized by the Mississippi’s beauty. The driver honked and waved

Don’t forget to take a picture of Popeye at the Chester Welcome Center. Also, if you drive around Chester, there are other statues of other famous characters created by Mr. Segar.

Best Western Reids Inn, Chester, Ill. Our stay was awesome. We had a nice view in the back of the hotel with a balcony, so very relaxing after driving for so long.

www.bestwesternillinois.com/hotels/best-western-reids-inn

Reids Harvest House

The food at the restaurant was delicious. The employees were friendly and outgoing.

www.reidsharvesthouse.com

Fort Kaskaskia

Located in Ellis Grove, Illinois, it was a short drive to this site. We were able to get a great look at the Mississippi, walk around where the fort originally was, and see the Garrison Hill Cemetery. It was fascinating, literally walking around all that history.

Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site

This home belonged to a prominent businessman and Illinois’ first lieutenant governor. It is a French Colonial Creole type architecture overlooks the Mississippi River. It has been dubbed the “Mount Vernon of the West”. Our guide was a little hesitant, reserved, at first, but once we started asking our questions, she seemed to be a bit more receptive to us.

She was telling us about living on one of the islands in the Mississippi when she was a child, and how the island has been flooded so much that most of the residents on the island have moved to the mainland.

www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/pierre_menard.htm

Cohen Mansion

The house with the famous blue windows. (Mark Twain) We drove around for about a half hour looking for this house and could not find it. Hopefully, you may have better luck.

Before we left Chester to head to Arkansas, my husband took me over the Chester Bridge. I was thrilled. I had never been on the other side of the Mississippi River and it was my first time crossing it. Now I can say I have been west of the Mississippi and in Missouri!