Friday, September 2, 2022

 We had a late start leaving this morning due to a battery malfunction.  Once we figured out what it was (self inflicted user error) we were able to fix it and be on our way.

We drove most of the day, stopped only for lunch and to buy some corn at a cute little market on the side of the road.  It was really nice because we could turn in and stop in the circle drive to buy the corn.

So glad Clay was able to get his corn!  He loves it so much.

After a very long day, we finally made it here!  We drove by Lake Michigan coming in.  The water and beach area were beautiful and so windy today, but we are on the Lake and that is expected.

We arrived at Denise's house around 5:00 p.m. and Clay backed our rig into another very tight spot.  How he does that amazes me.  It seemed like a huge challenge to me and especially the fact that as we arrived here it began to rain...but we made it!

Thursday, September 1, 2022

We headed to Peoria today and walked along the Peoria Riverfront District Riverwalk and rode around in the downtown area and took a few pictures.

Riverwalk

There is a large farmers market called the Peoria Riverfront Market which is open on Saturdays.  I was sad to have missed it.

I took a few pics of some of the artwork downtown as we walked around.

We stopped for lunch at Kenny's Westside Irish Pub for lunch and had a great meal and enjoyed the fresh air.

Now back to the campsite for our last evening and sunset by the Illinois River.  

This campground is adjacent to the Spring Bay Fen State Natural Area and close to the State Fish and Wildlife Area, all located on the Illinois River.

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

We woke early to enjoy coffee and the beautiful morning along the river.  Clay and Lucy walked down to the river and watched a tug going down the river.

We rode to a small town nearby, Washington, to do some laundry and grocery shopping, which took up most of our day.

We were able to get in a small bike ride before dark.  There was a dead end road that we rode down along the banks of the Illinois River.  I was amazed at the number of rabbits running across the road in front of us.  Lucy was so excited to see all the rabbits, I was afraid she would jump out of her basket.

When we returned to the campground, we joined a Wisconsin couple, we met at the campground for drinks and stories around the campfire.  We had a fun day!

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

We woke early this morning, packed up and headed North. We often take smaller highways when possible to avoid Interstate traffic.  It's a little longer but we're not in a hurry.  We rode up Hwy. 57 to 50 to 51north which took us through Vandalia, Illinois.  

Vandalia was the state capital of Illinois from 1820 to 1839.  This state capital was the spot Abraham Lincoln took his first political office.  It's the oldest surviving capital in Illinois.  

Riding north on Hwy 51 was mostly corn and soybean fields.  And of course...

windmills everywhere!

  

We stopped for lunch in Forsyth, IL at a Best Buy parking lot and faced their green space.  The wind was blowing and it was so nice to enjoy cooler temperatures.

We headed a little west towards Peoria, IL to stay along thee Illinois River at a sweet little campground we've stayed at before and we love it.  Nothing fancy, just beauty on the Illinois River.  The owner rides around in his golf cart and visits with the campers. 

We enjoyed a gorgeous sunset and the cool night with our little fire.

I think we found FALL Y'all!