My trip to Giant City State Park!

I went on a short trip to Giant City State Park with Nikki. We drove around the park and I saw beautiful trees that are blooming. We went hiking on a trail, and I got tired very quickly. It was very high up. The view from the top was amazing. Nikki then took me on another trail where people had found an ancient Native American fort. I getting very tired from all the hiking, and I was getting hungry so we went to eat at the Giant City Lodge Restaurant. The lodge was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933-1942. The CCC helped develop and maintain natural resources for future generations. We really enjoyed the tasty fried chicken dinner that is served every Sunday. There is so much to do at the park. Next time, I want to go on a horseback ride on the trails, and stay in the cabins or even go camping. I can’t wait to go back. I had a really great time.

Gateway to the West: St. Louis Arch

After traveling 132.95 miles, I finally reached the St. Louis Arch with Briana. It's coordinates are a longitude of -90 degrees, 11 feet, 7 inches and a latitude of 38 degrees, 37 feet, 29 inches. The Arch was such a spectacular site to see. Did you know that it is also called the Gateway to the West? Yup. This was a very meaningful trip for me, because this landmark is symbolic for American's expansion to the west. The arch is 630 feet high. When you are outside looking up, it seems like it just goes on forever, and ever. The outside of the arch is made of stainless steel and when the sun is shining on it, it is almost blinding to look at. To get up inside the arch we had to take a special kind of elevator. The inside of it looks like a pod of a spaceship. It is quite scary taking the trip to the top because the elevator rocks back and forth the whole way. Once you are at the top, though, the view is spectacular. You can see so far into the city and even into Illinois. When it is windy outside, you can even feel the arch moving back and forth, slightly. I had such an awesome time. I cannot wait for someone else to take me back sometime.

Checking out at Albion, IL

On April 11, while riding in a car, I visited the oldest Public Library in Illinois with my friend Lydia in Albion, IL. Albion is a small town of about 2,000 people about 2 hours away or 221.4 miles from home; if you want to be technical, here is exactly where I went: 38 degrees 22'38" N and 88 degrees 3'40" W. The librarians, Ms. Potter-Gates, Mrs. Hortin and Lydia's aunt, Mrs. Longbons gave me a little history about this library. It was founded in 1818 and not only was the Library the first in the state of Illinois, Albion also has the oldest Chamber of Commerce and the first agricultural fair!
The library is one of the most important places in any town and it was very exciting to come to the oldest one in Illinois! I even found a great book while I was there....

The Hub of the Universe!?!

Today Jane visited the Clock Tower in downtown Marion, IL. Marion is located at 37.73 degrees N by 88.93 degrees W and is 17.67 miles from home. OK, so Marion may not really be the "Hub of the Universe", but whatever you do not tell that to the major. The Marion square, which holds the Clock Tower at its center, has been host to many historic events. This is where General John A. Logan rallied the troops to fight in the Civil War. It was also the location of the Williamson County Courthouse from 1889-1972.

Thankfully the weather held out today, so there were no "Back to the Future" moments!!!

The Lincoln and Douglas Debate

This weekend Jane and I went on a trip to Jonesboro Illinois to take in a few sites. Jonesboro is a small town located 37.4 degrees North and 89.2 degrees West. That is only 21.6 miles away from SIUC. While there we visited the historical site of the Lincoln and Douglas Debates. The location of the debate was a small town park that was used as a fair ground. In 1858 the spot we visited was filled with people waiting to hear the two men debate for Senatorship of Illinois. We found out that Lincoln ended up losing the race for Senator, but he did become the President of the United States in 1860. It was very interesting to find out that something this important had taken place in such a small town.

The Mighty Mighty Appleknockers! OOH AHH AHH!

Howdy y'all! I'm hollering out from the small town of Cobden, Illinois. I traveled 13.7 miles to this little town, 37 degrees 32'2 N, 89 degrees 15'19W. Ya know, this town isn't very big but thanks to the men's basketball team of 1964, everyone has heard of the Mighty Appleknockers. Rumor has it that everyone thinks they won the state tournament, but actually they did lose 50-45, but that was enough to get them on the map. Still today, many people refer to them as "the little town that won the state tournament of 1964." Amy explained, that even though they lost the game, everyone is still in shock that a small country team could get so far, and receive so much recognition for their achievement. Every person from the town still to this day is proud to be associated with the team of 1964, and to be called an Appleknocker. After all, they are the only Appleknockers in the whole world!

Tired little doggie

Traveling with the cowpokes sure is tiring. Brandi, Bobbi, Kumberly and Emily have taken me 1, 315.72 miles! How far is Dodge City anyway?

Enjoying a Piece of American Culture

Howdy, all!

Whew! I just went for a whirlwind ride with Emily and all her youngins! Talk about an eventful night. Turns out, Emily wanted to show her children (and ME!) how lots of folk back in the olden days watched movies. She loaded us all up in her van, which could hold cattle, and away we went driving to downtown Belleville, IL. What a fun trip that was! We got lost on the way, but after we finally got there, we found out that the Skyview Drive In is located at 38N latitude and 90W longitude and was only 84.86 miles one way! YEE HAW! The drive-in opened for business in 1949, had serious screen damage twice, and now holds two screens so people can pull in and watch whatever movie they want. Well, let me tell ya, the screen was the biggest one I ever saw! I sat on her daughter's lap as we watched a movie, just like way back when. Emily explained that years ago, speakers were attached to vehicles for sound, but now we just tune into a radio station. We snuggled up real tight and munched on some fine snacks. Emily tried to get a picture of me at the Skyview entrance, but it was dark. I think you can still see the entrance behind me, though. After this was all said and done, I was plum tuckered out from the eating and movie watching and riding in that van! You know, it seems people don't go to drive-ins a lot anymore and little by little there are fewer drive-ins to enjoy, but I sure am glad I got to see a little piece of this American culture.

Dusable Museum of African American History

Whew what a trip--Kumberly and I traveled 982 miles!
Hello every one i am still on the move. I traveled to The Dusable Museum of African American History located on the south side of Chicago 41 degrees latitude and 87 degrees longitude. I traveled 327 miles making a total of 491 miles altogether. I traveled to the Dusable Museum to experience meet African American inventors and leaders. The museum was very interesting and provided me with a lot of useful information. In fact the Dusable Museum located in Chicago is one of the only major institutions to help preserve African American history!

In celebration of Casimir Pulaski

We hit the trial again--we added another 76 miles to the journey log. Total mileage is 164 miles. Yee Haw--we're having a good time!! The town of DuBois is located at 38 degrees N and 89 degrees W.
Howdy all! Just got back from another great adventure, this weekend I traveled to Dubois, Illinois in honor of a great Polish-American Revolutionary War hero. I enjoyed some good grub and a grand parade in his honor (things got a little roudy when I had to fight the little buckaroos for the candy.)

Sometimes called the "Father of American Cavalry," Casimir Pulaski was born March 4, 1747, in Warka, Poland. While in Paris, Casimir heard of the American Revolutionary War and the colonies' struggle to break free from England. He wrote Benjamin Franklin, who was in Paris, to ask if he would consider hiring him to fight against the British. After hearing of his reputation as a great leader, Franklin recommended him to General George Washington. Joining the Revolutionary cause in 1777, he served at Brandywine and Germantown. In 1778 he resigned a cavalry command rather than continue in service under Gen. Anthony Wayne, and he organized his own cavalry unit, the Pulaski Legion, which saw a great deal of service During a battle in Savannah, Georgia, Casimir was wounded by a cannon. He died from complications of this wound. The first Monday in March has been designated Pulaski Day in Illinois. There is also Pulaski County honoring this great war hero.

My trip to the wild blue country

Hello All! This trail was 88 miles in distance! The latitude and longitude coordinates are 38 degrees and 88.8 degrees.
Well, on this trip I traveled to Ewing, Illinois. I was able to explore the school there and meet Brandi's volleyball team. I was not able to take a picture of them because they had a big game to get to, but I did get to see the historical sidewalk in front of the school. You see way before you all got here, they thought that Ewing would be just like Carbondale,and the Grade School would be the college. Instead it is a nice quite little town with a Pre-K through 8th Grade School. The sidewalk out side is now dedicated to those that have retired from Ewing and those who help make the town and school run. You all should go out for a drive and see the wonderful country side. Oh and by the way I met Toby....HE IS HUGE!!! I also got to go to the vet with Toby he is now up to 31 pounds. Glad I don't have to be his chew toy!! Have a great day!

YeeHaw!
Calamity Jane and Brandi