Some great things about East, West, Central and Southern Illinois

[linicx]

White Pines Forest State Park near Oregon is another park I am not familiar with.

DNR

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by linicx

White Pines Forest State Park near Oregon is another park I am not familiar with.

DNR

Beautiful area along Rock river between Dixon and Oregon on IL rte 2. This was included on my suggested No IL byways trip from that thread. I have never been in the park, but do enjoy the drive when business takes me that way.

[james57]

White Pines State Park is located west of Oregon and north of Dixon. If one does visit the area, be sure and have lunch or dinner at the White Pines Inn located within the park. Food is of a wide variety. I have eaten there a number of times and every entree has been delicious. Highly recommended and cost effective also. Enjoy.

[04JETTA]

Southern IL is sooooo pretty especially the cliffs by I-57

[linicx]

Originally Posted by 04JETTA

Southern IL is sooooo pretty especially the cliffs by I-57

I am not familiar with the area. I wonder if it is anywhere near the Illinois Ozarks?

Illinois has some beautiful areas with wonderful state and city parks, Nature Conservancy areas, Fish and Wildlife refuges and awesome byways. Once upon a time there was even a family nudist campground not too far NE of the Quad Cities. That was long ago. I suspect by now it is no longer in operation.

[doll lady]

OMG Linicx...a nudist colony...HA HA HA.

For the many thousands of people who have no children or are getting older and don't enjoy the water parks or to go down the river in a canoe, or doing major hiking or skiing, there are still many, many things to do in downstate Illinois. Even folks with children would enjoy doing these same things but a lot of times this viewing of the scenery is not the first choice of people with families.

This weekend we crossed the Kampsville Ferry and went down the Great River Road (Illinois River which joins the Mississippi above Alton). This ferry is smooth even when the river is choppy or in winter with ice floating. It's amazing that a highway with pavement just ends in a ferry, and pavement begins again across the river.

We watched the operations at the Alton locks which is always a treat. Of course on the way, we had to buy some Calhoun County peaches. If you've never had Calhoun County peaches you are absolutely missing a world of delightful taste. White peaches are my favorite.

We always love to look at the bluffs along the river on the drive south on the Great River Road. You can see the bald eagles flying and landing. If you have time to stay, the rustic Pere Marquette lodge (overlooking the river) or the nearby campgound are good places to stay the night (and a water park is just down the road). My most favorite thing along this beautiful path is to turn into the quaint village of Elsah, where the houses are preserved in time. You feel as if you stepped back in time. The beautiful small Principia College lies on a country road leading from the village.

Village of Elsah, Illinois

Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center - Grafton, Illinois

Then, we crossed the Clark Bridge in Alton so we could sit a while on the Missouri side at the bird sanctuary. This is a cable stayed bridge which makes it earthquake proof....and necessary since it's located not far from the New Madrid fault line. Us downstate folks consider this bridge as looking rather futuristic. Many people think of this as a suspension bridge but it's the cable stayed as I mentioned. Last year the downstate part of the state was shaken immensely by a quake from the southern area fault.....it's not the first time this has happened. Until you experience a quake, it is hard to believe how it feels to be in one, and especially with things bouncing off the walls of your house.

AltonWeb // The River Bend - Clark Bridge, Alton, Illinois


Driving the Great River Road takes a lot of time since there are so many things to look at....unfortunately, we didn't have time to return the same way, but there's always a next time.

Downstate Illinois is a mecca....the many areas of downstate which are here for the viewing by the residents of Illinois and out-of-state too .... this is definitely without a doubt the Land of Opportunity. We do a lot of traveling in the state....there's not much of any area where we haven't been or seen, but we enjoy ALL PARTS of the state. Spoken like a true Illinoisian....LOL

[linicx]

Doll Lady,

Illinois has much to visually enrich the lives of residents as well as its visitors. Keeping with the theme of "little or no walking involved", the IL State Route. 24 from Eureka and the Reagan Rose Garden at the college to the Mississippi River makes for a nice Sunday drive. Another nice Sunday drive begins on I-80 at Princeton heading south on IL State Route 29. It meanders through farms on the prairie to high tree covered cliffs that dot the Illinois River at Peoria County before turning East to wander through Tazewell County, Mason County and end in Sangamon County south of Springfield. When it comes to nature, I don't see where any area of Illinois is more outstanding or more fine than the other. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally think between Stark and Marshall Counties and Sangamon County central Illinois has much to offer everyone.

I would rather pick a ripe tomato than visit tourist traps and antique shops. I would rather be an observer and completely refreshed than the tired participant, which makes these lazy Sunday drives appealing to me. I would rather stop at Maurie's Candies on Court Street in Pekin where I know I can pick up my favorite candy, fresh Karmel Korn and hot nuts, along with international newspapers. I can drive a half dozen blocks farther and sit by the lagoon in Mineral Springs Park, feed the squirrels, relax and read my papers. To me this is a little slice of Heaven in the middle of the third largest MSA in Illinois.

From the park, instead of backtracking to Second Street to follow IL 29 to Springfield, I can detour past the hospital on 14th, continue to Koch Street and follow it to the stop light where I turn left to pick up Manito Blacktop. From here I can continue to Manito where I can drive through Sand Ridge State Park, check out Jake Wolfe Fish Hatchery and Willet's Winery before heading to Chautauqua - the US Fish and Wildlife Refuge near Havana. I can pick up IL Route 97 South at the bridge in Havana and grab a foot long, handmade tenderloin sandwich before I wander through Oakwood, Petersburg and then into Springfield. From this city the world is my oyster. North, East, South or West all roads lead to Springfield. I would probably turn NE and follow I-55 to Lincoln, stop at Steak N Shake for a cold drink before I turned back on IL State Route 10 through Easton to Join US 136 and return in IL Route 29 North and Pekin. If you love old style German food, The Chateau located on on IL State Route 97 - just off Route 29 - is owned by a friend who is a European trained Chef and nothing like the foul tempered Ramsey from the television show Hell's KItchen.

Illinois has a rich supply of beautiful byways and low-traffic highways between the Confluence and the southwestern Wisconsin Border. But you have to drive the 300 miles and read a map to see it. From red sunsets to great Rivers, from the Illinois Ozarks to amber fields of winter wheat, from ranches to apples orchards, from maple syrup to acres of tulips, and from the Medallion Hunt to FOLEPI, one of the largest night time parades and displays in the nation, Illinois has it all. .And more.

[doll lady]

The FOLEPI is the most wonderful parade and show I have ever seen....one of a kind! I used to enjoy going to their building when they had the vendor booths at Christmas...I miss those. Thanks for mentioning it!

I'm going to have to go to that German restuarant...I'll direct message you later for exact directions.

[linicx]

It is quite the thing to behold, especially the park on Springfield Road and the display at the senior center.

IF you want to go to the German Restaurant here are the directions.

From I-55 take US 136 W to IL 29 and turn North. Follow it through Pekin and pass auto row.. The next road should be IL 98. It is a T-intersection and also a back road to Morton. Turn onto IL 98. The Chateau is on the lake side across from, and not too far from, the Starlight drive-in movie. In other words it is in between Marquette Heights and Pekin off IL 29 on IL 98.

I believe the fare is menu or buffet. It had a nice write up in the new Style & Substance Magazine that is published in Peoria.