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!!!