Spoon River Drive....what's your favorite part? (Springfield, Havana: school, live in)

[illini1959]

The SRD is coming up this weekend. Last year we went to the Farmington area, good but crowded. This year we're debating whether to go to London Mills or south to Lewiston/Duncan Mills.

I know it'll all be crowded, but where are the more interesting places you've been?

[linicx]

Since I live in the general area I see it all the time, but you might like this.
Lewistown is the Blacksmith Museum and the Dickson Mounds Native American museum. The Johnson's Farm usually has Belgian horses plowing while his wife bakes fresh pies in the wood fired brick oven.

Then go to Smithfield to the old brick school house. The old cooks get together and fix made from scratch Chicken & Noodles lunch and dinner. They often have live music at lunch. It's three stories and usually has some interesting booths on each.

Bernadotte has little dam you can walk across and some killer food in the only restaurant. Bernadotte has a WWII history worth learning about.

IL 97 from Springfield to US 24/IL 9 is sandwiched between US 24 W and US 136 E. It is in the middle of the largest inland wetland refuge in America. Emiquon is by the river below Lewistown. The other part is Chautauqua. Cross the bridge at Havana and follow the Manito blacktop past the hospital a couple of miles. It's the time of year the pelicans and other birds should be coming in to rest and eat; bring your camera.

IL 97 is the entrance to Dickson Mounds and the back road into Lewistown. Waterford Road exits on US 24 near the Dairy Queen and about two blocks from the Blacksmith museum. When you get near the turn to Dickson Mounds the road widens to 3 lanes and there is a sign on the highway.