Just Got Back From Galena, 46th Wedding Anniversary

We were gone since Thursday on a trip for our 46th wedding anniversary.  Liz and I were married on August 25, 1973, at the Newman Center at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and we had our reception at the Holiday Inn on Lincoln Highway (Illinois Hwy 38) in DeKalb.

We then drove to Galena, Illinois, for our honeymoon.  Probably should have stayed somewhere closer as it was after 1 a.m. the next morning when we arrived and stayed at the Palace Motel north of town.  It was a much-shortened honeymoon as I had to start teaching on Wednesday.

Thursday we drone to Clinton, Iowa, and saw the Clinton LumberKings of the Class A Midwest League win their game.  We then spent three nights in Galena.

--RoadMarried

Hanging Around Clinton, Iowa: May 17th

Always nice to have a whole day to spend in one place while on the road.

Went to Wal-Mart and Target in the morning.  Posted to all internet blogs.

Then went to J&D Steakhouse downtown for lunch.  This place has great food at reasonable prices.  I had a top sirloin steak, baked potato, salad, soup and toast for $10.  Liz had an inch-and-a-half thick pork chop so tender you didn't need a knife to cut it.

Then, we went to Manning's Whistle Stop (the LumberKings hangout), Midway Lounge (where I got the name for my Ultimate Jukebox downstairs in Margaritaville), Bonnie's and Legends before going back to the motel.

A Good Day On the Road.  --RoadDog

Clinton, Iowa-- May 16th: The Lincoln Highway and Minor League Baseball

Drove from Spring Grove to Clinton, Iowa, yesterday, taking Il-47 to Il-176 to Il-23, to Il-72 to I-39 to the Lincoln Highway.

Gas prices dropped as we got farther away from Chicago, of course.  ($4.10 in Marengo, $3.68 in Dixon).

A lot of traffic most of the way.

Got a room for two nights at the Super 8 ($50 a night).  Had those great boneless chicken dinners at KFC and went to the ballpark (complimentary tickets at the Super 8) and saw the Clinton Lumber Kings take on the Beloit Snappers, both Class A Midwest League teams (Mariners and Athletics respectively).

This was the first win that we had seen for Clinton in several years, 6-1.

Then went to Bonnie's for a coupla celebratories and peanuts.

Minor League B-Ball and An Old Highway.  Life Is Good.  --RoadDog

Heading for Iowa on the Lincoln Highway

An old road, an old cafe and a Minor League baseball game on docket for today.

We'll drive the Lincoln Highway from Dekalb, stopping in Franklin Grove to visit the Lincoln Highway National HQ and eat at the Lincoln Cafe.  Then, on to Clinton, Iowa, for a Midwest League game by the Clinton Lumber Kings, an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

Now, That's Getting Back to the Roots.  --RoadDog


TOO PUNNY:  Time flies like an arrow.  Fruit flies like a banana.

Midsummer Mississippi River Trip 2010-- Part 1

Left home yesterday and drove to Clinton, Iowa, where we spent the night.

From Byron, Illinois, to Dixon, we drove along the beautiful Rock River on Illinois Highway 2. We stopped at Lowden State Park and saw the impressive 100-year-old 50-foot Blackhawk Statue. That is the first time I ever saw it on land (I did see it several weeks ago on a boat in the river.

Looked around the neat old town of Oregon then drove to Dixon where we picked up the Lincoln Highway and took it the rest of the way to Iowa.

Once across the Mississippi in Clinton, we stopped for a couple-three beers at Bonnie's Scenic Tap and when we told the bartender we were there to see the Class A Midwest League Clinton Lumber Kings play, she gave us two tickets.

Checked into the Best Western, then drove back to Clinton and ate at a favorite place of ours, J&D Steakhouse where we met the chairman of the Lumber Kings and talked with him a bit.

At the game, we had general admission seats, but the chairman saw us and invited us to sit in his box seats. Had a great conversation with him, but, unfortunately, the Lumber Kings lost.

Came back to the Best Western and had a couple night caps in the hotel bar.

Pretty Good Day. --RoadDog


REMEMBER WHEN you ate candy cigarettes?

What to Do, What to Do? Galena or Stay Home?

I had been leaning toward hitting the road this weekend starting Thursday when we'd go to Clinton, Iowa, to see the Midwest League Clinton Lumber Kings play. Then Friday drive to Galena, Ill and stay at the old mom and pop Grant Hills Motel and eat at the Log Cabin downtown, where we had our first meal back in 1973 on our honeymoon and enjoy the great town.

Saturday, I wanted to hook up with the Street Rod group in Galena and follow them on a drive through the surrounding area. Sunday it was to be on to Oregon, Illinois, for their first-ever Oregon Trail Days festival.

BUT!!

Now, I see that we are having two of my favorite festivals around here this weekend. Antioch has their Taste of Antioch with great food and entertainment starting Thursday.

Then, McHenry has the best part of their Fiesta Days with the Art in the Park (we call it Drunk In the Park) and street parties with bands and fairly cheap beer.

Should we go or stay?

Decisions, Decisions. I'll Let You Know. --RoadDog


REMEMBER WHEN you got trading stamps and glassware as well when you got your gas.

Hittin' the Road-- Part 1: Lincoln Highway in Illinois

We're heading out for a cruise on the Illinois stretch of the Lincoln Highway. Plans call for a stop at the Franklin Grove, Il., LH visitors center and then we'd like to see the covered bridge I just found out about near Morrison. I'd also like to check out Dixon's 1930s swimming pool and Logan Park.

Planning on catching Clinton Lumber Barons game. That'd be Class A minor league baseball, where the players definitely aren't millionaires. You might say it's real baseball.

The Lincoln Highway is the nation's oldest transcontinental road and dates back to 1913, some 13 years before Route 66.

--RoadDog