I am considering trying to talk the wife into a hundred mile or so jaunt from Hannibal so that I can go visit the grave and maybe do a little research on the Bell Family. It seems that the Matriarch of the Bell family (at least as far as I have been able to get them back in the last 20 years) died and is buried in Rushville, Illinois. Since we are going to be so close on the trip, I am thinking that I might see if I can get Illianna and the Kids to let me do just a little research there. Maybe Half a day. If nothing else, I'd like to find the grave and get a picture. At best, find that someone local has done research and has a lot of information I've not been able to find in the last 30 years........ An old Family Bible would be fantastic, old family photographs would be the mother load..... But, I think I would be happy to just visit the grave and take some pictures.....
My thought is being so close, I'd hate to miss the opportunity... because as the poem says, knowing how way leads on to way, I may never pass this way again.....
20091116
The Road Home.....
I am seriously looking at going down the California Coast an then taking the "Mother Road" home.
Yes Route 66..... I am thinking that that would really be the capstone of the journey.
I have started sending out feelers on sponsorship and to write articles about the trip........
THis is coming together... I am not sure how... But it is coming together...... ;-)
Been investigating activities around the St Louis area. I am thinking that we are going to diverge a little bit from the Lewis & Clark Trail and go on up the Mississippi to Hannibal and see the Mark Twain history. Think it might be something good for the kids.... Been thinking of a loop over to Springfield to see the Lincoln tomb and then to Hannibal and then down to Jefferson City to pick up the L&C trail again....... I figure about three days for all that.... Will have to see what Illianna thinks. Of course, if we come back Route 66, then most of the attractions of St Louis and Springfield could wait till we return........
The possibilities are truely endless.
Yes Route 66..... I am thinking that that would really be the capstone of the journey.
I have started sending out feelers on sponsorship and to write articles about the trip........
THis is coming together... I am not sure how... But it is coming together...... ;-)
Been investigating activities around the St Louis area. I am thinking that we are going to diverge a little bit from the Lewis & Clark Trail and go on up the Mississippi to Hannibal and see the Mark Twain history. Think it might be something good for the kids.... Been thinking of a loop over to Springfield to see the Lincoln tomb and then to Hannibal and then down to Jefferson City to pick up the L&C trail again....... I figure about three days for all that.... Will have to see what Illianna thinks. Of course, if we come back Route 66, then most of the attractions of St Louis and Springfield could wait till we return........
The possibilities are truely endless.
20091113
An Old Friend......... Dreams and the road not traveled......
Been a while since I posted.... Sorry about that for both folks that have been reading.... A lot has been going on here and my mind has not been into posting of late.....
Veterans Day has came and went. Veterans Day is in many ways I think my favorite holiday. No, there aren't gifts like Christmas. There's not a big feast like Thanksgiving. In a lot of ways it isn't a holiday as very rarely do most folks even get the day off. Generally it's to cold to have a cook out.... There are not those traditional things that make a holiday tops on most folks lists. Hell, most kids in schools today probably don't have a clue that it even is a holiday....
I get frustrated to by the way folks get Veterans Day confused with Memorial Day. Lots of people, including most dip-stick politicians think that Veteran's Day is about remembering those who have died...... It isn't, Veteran's Day is for those that lived through it; Memorial day is the day to remember those that died in service and those who have passed on...... I know in the grand scheme of things it's minor but it annoys me just the same and probably always will.... I think a lot about Veteran's Day and what it means and many friends made over the years through military service........... Ah, yes, this is a travel blog, I know.......
There's been a lot going on. to relieve stress, one has to find things to escape. Planing a trip with the family is one means of escape that I'd like to think is positive and productive(well at least more so than playing solitaire on the computer.... maybe).
One of the things that is common to most everyone here is that there is always a dream. Maybe it is the dream of asking that girl back home to marry you when you get back. Maybe it is that trip to Vegas with your battle buddies where you are going to paint the town red and hit it big on the slots...... Maybe it is to go back to school and get that degree. Maybe it's to sail around the world on a yacht. Some are big, some are small, but they are held by all. The point is, everyone here has a dream that they hold on to and cherish and nurturer while they are here..... Sometimes, maybe those dreams are unrealistic but they help a person hold it together in the most insane of places and circumstances....
I have been dreaming a lot about a motorcycle. I had one before I came over here but, Illianna sold it. That's OK, I agreed to it and it's not like it was doing me a whole lot of good..... But, when I get back, I want another. I know the type I want. I am not sure of exactly the version I want but I know the type.... I have been looking at them on e-bay and Craig's list. I have been reading about them and trying to learn about them, the peculiarities and issues...... Somehow, someway shortly after I get back I WILL have one.
Dreams are funny things because in many ways they are kinda' like a mirage in the dessert, they shimmer and change shape as you get closer to them, sometimes.... they just up and disappear. This dream started out as a Goldwing trike. Illianna and I have agree that between my busted leg and my back getting broken, I really don't need to be hossin' a heavy bike around....... But as I have been reading and researching, I have found that I REALLY don't want a Goldwing. Illianna says she doesn't want to travel long distances on a motorcycle so we don't need that type of bike, and she's right. Most of the travel would be short hops around the lake or a poker run, maybe a long weekend to St Louis but extended trips would be rare.... So, we are looking at Cruisers..... I looked at a Honda VTX and it was nice and is a distinct possibility. I want something that is light enough to manage around town and a trip to grocery BUT, it also needs to be big enough that when the planets align and Sturgis calls it will be up for the task.... I can't see a Harley in my future, just to expensive and the maintenance and the cost of living that lifestyle is just to trendy and not for me....... WHat I really like the looks of is the old Honda Valkyries.... I have made up my mind that when I get home there is going to be a Valkyrie in the garage (Yeah, the fact I don't have a garage built yet is a minor problem but what come first the chicken or the egg). Some how some way.....
Part of the dream of a Valkyrie is where to ride it (see I told you travel was going to come into play here) there are a lot of rides that would be great for a bike. The Ohio River Scenic Byway is one that would be super of a bike trip.... The Natches trace would be another..... Somehow, someway..... It's going to happen so, I ain't getting any younger. IF I can find a Valkyrie, it should last me for a good 20 years, they are mechanically reliable almost ot the point of being indestructible. I want to find the right one and go from there.....
I think part of the mystic and desire for a bike over here is the freedom that it offers. Here where you are stuck in a very small place for months at a time and a vehicle hitting 35 miles and hour is considered reckless driving, the thought of hitting the open road on a bike is a very alluring dream....
I had a friend once who loved motorcycles and had a dream of riding across Europe. He planned and saved and for his 50th birthday he gave himself the present of traveling to Europe to take that ride. He never made it back. Somewhere in the Italian Alps, he put the bike over the side of a mountain. They think he had a heart attack and was dead before he crashed. He left a lot of friends here who miss him for a lot of reasons. Me, I miss him though we weren't THAT close and I am also happy for him. He went out the way he'd wanted to on a bike living his dream of traveling Europe.....
Me, I don't want to die on the road (there are much worse ways to go I am sure) but I also don't want to die having never been on the road either...... I want to have memories of trips and adventures to relive when I am old and confined to a nursing home in a rocking chair.........
We all need to have dreams and we need to work towards them and see that they are fulfilled. Take that road less traveled.
Veterans Day has came and went. Veterans Day is in many ways I think my favorite holiday. No, there aren't gifts like Christmas. There's not a big feast like Thanksgiving. In a lot of ways it isn't a holiday as very rarely do most folks even get the day off. Generally it's to cold to have a cook out.... There are not those traditional things that make a holiday tops on most folks lists. Hell, most kids in schools today probably don't have a clue that it even is a holiday....
I get frustrated to by the way folks get Veterans Day confused with Memorial Day. Lots of people, including most dip-stick politicians think that Veteran's Day is about remembering those who have died...... It isn't, Veteran's Day is for those that lived through it; Memorial day is the day to remember those that died in service and those who have passed on...... I know in the grand scheme of things it's minor but it annoys me just the same and probably always will.... I think a lot about Veteran's Day and what it means and many friends made over the years through military service........... Ah, yes, this is a travel blog, I know.......
There's been a lot going on. to relieve stress, one has to find things to escape. Planing a trip with the family is one means of escape that I'd like to think is positive and productive(well at least more so than playing solitaire on the computer.... maybe).
One of the things that is common to most everyone here is that there is always a dream. Maybe it is the dream of asking that girl back home to marry you when you get back. Maybe it is that trip to Vegas with your battle buddies where you are going to paint the town red and hit it big on the slots...... Maybe it is to go back to school and get that degree. Maybe it's to sail around the world on a yacht. Some are big, some are small, but they are held by all. The point is, everyone here has a dream that they hold on to and cherish and nurturer while they are here..... Sometimes, maybe those dreams are unrealistic but they help a person hold it together in the most insane of places and circumstances....
I have been dreaming a lot about a motorcycle. I had one before I came over here but, Illianna sold it. That's OK, I agreed to it and it's not like it was doing me a whole lot of good..... But, when I get back, I want another. I know the type I want. I am not sure of exactly the version I want but I know the type.... I have been looking at them on e-bay and Craig's list. I have been reading about them and trying to learn about them, the peculiarities and issues...... Somehow, someway shortly after I get back I WILL have one.
Dreams are funny things because in many ways they are kinda' like a mirage in the dessert, they shimmer and change shape as you get closer to them, sometimes.... they just up and disappear. This dream started out as a Goldwing trike. Illianna and I have agree that between my busted leg and my back getting broken, I really don't need to be hossin' a heavy bike around....... But as I have been reading and researching, I have found that I REALLY don't want a Goldwing. Illianna says she doesn't want to travel long distances on a motorcycle so we don't need that type of bike, and she's right. Most of the travel would be short hops around the lake or a poker run, maybe a long weekend to St Louis but extended trips would be rare.... So, we are looking at Cruisers..... I looked at a Honda VTX and it was nice and is a distinct possibility. I want something that is light enough to manage around town and a trip to grocery BUT, it also needs to be big enough that when the planets align and Sturgis calls it will be up for the task.... I can't see a Harley in my future, just to expensive and the maintenance and the cost of living that lifestyle is just to trendy and not for me....... WHat I really like the looks of is the old Honda Valkyries.... I have made up my mind that when I get home there is going to be a Valkyrie in the garage (Yeah, the fact I don't have a garage built yet is a minor problem but what come first the chicken or the egg). Some how some way.....
Part of the dream of a Valkyrie is where to ride it (see I told you travel was going to come into play here) there are a lot of rides that would be great for a bike. The Ohio River Scenic Byway is one that would be super of a bike trip.... The Natches trace would be another..... Somehow, someway..... It's going to happen so, I ain't getting any younger. IF I can find a Valkyrie, it should last me for a good 20 years, they are mechanically reliable almost ot the point of being indestructible. I want to find the right one and go from there.....
I think part of the mystic and desire for a bike over here is the freedom that it offers. Here where you are stuck in a very small place for months at a time and a vehicle hitting 35 miles and hour is considered reckless driving, the thought of hitting the open road on a bike is a very alluring dream....
I had a friend once who loved motorcycles and had a dream of riding across Europe. He planned and saved and for his 50th birthday he gave himself the present of traveling to Europe to take that ride. He never made it back. Somewhere in the Italian Alps, he put the bike over the side of a mountain. They think he had a heart attack and was dead before he crashed. He left a lot of friends here who miss him for a lot of reasons. Me, I miss him though we weren't THAT close and I am also happy for him. He went out the way he'd wanted to on a bike living his dream of traveling Europe.....
Me, I don't want to die on the road (there are much worse ways to go I am sure) but I also don't want to die having never been on the road either...... I want to have memories of trips and adventures to relive when I am old and confined to a nursing home in a rocking chair.........
We all need to have dreams and we need to work towards them and see that they are fulfilled. Take that road less traveled.
20091107
The St Louis Area
One of the place that I will visit while in the St Louis area is Jefferson Barracks.
Besides being an old military post, Jefferson Barracks holds a special interest for me in that it was the first post of a young lieutenant from northern Indiana who would later become the Surgeon General of the Army. I want to stop off and do a little be of research here for my book on General Merritt Weber Ireland.
In reading the internet histories of the post, it somehow is fitting that this was Ireland's first post as it had been one of the largests military hospitals of the Civil War.
The post is now divided up in a Veterans Hospital, a National Cemetery second in size to only Arlington and a city park which houses a number of museums in old buildings.
More later....
Besides being an old military post, Jefferson Barracks holds a special interest for me in that it was the first post of a young lieutenant from northern Indiana who would later become the Surgeon General of the Army. I want to stop off and do a little be of research here for my book on General Merritt Weber Ireland.
In reading the internet histories of the post, it somehow is fitting that this was Ireland's first post as it had been one of the largests military hospitals of the Civil War.
The post is now divided up in a Veterans Hospital, a National Cemetery second in size to only Arlington and a city park which houses a number of museums in old buildings.
More later....
20091105
UP the Might Mississip'
Leaving Cairo, it looks like we might have a choice! Which side of the river to travel up?
Up to St Louis, each side has it's points of interest.
Traveling up the East/Illinois side,
We'd be traveling up State Road # 3.
It looks like this might be a travel day.
Thebes Courthouse is a little way up the road from Cairo and might be just a short stop for photographs and to stretch the legs…… I don't see Illianna and the kids getting to excited about this one………. Of course, IF there are yards sales in progress along the route…….. ;-)
Now, continuing north, it looks like the next stop is Fort Kaskaskia. This is the location where big brother George Rodgers started his claim to fame. The remains of the fort are preserved today as a State historic monument. The following is from the state website.
Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site preserves the time-worn earthen remains of Fort Kaskaskia, constructed by the French ca. 1759 to defend the town of Kaskaskia. Founded in 1703, the town was for more than a century the region's principal commercial center, also serving from 1818 to 1820 as the first capital of Illinois. The small fort, containing only a three-room barrack and a kitchen, was apparently never fully completed. The fort was periodically occupied by French or U.S. troops until 1807 and sheltered local settlers during Indian scares rising from the War of 1812.
Today's historic site consists of four major sections: the remains of Fort Kaskaskia, Garrison Hill Cemetery, the Mississippi River overlook and picnic area, and a large campground. The remnants of Fort Kaskaskia include long earthworks forming a rough square, with bastions at the corners. Garrison Hill Cemetery was established in 1891 by the General Assembly for the remains of early settlers whose graves were threatened by the flooding of Kaskaskia. A large monument erected in 1892 and commemorating the early settlers is also located in the cemetery.
The grassy bluff overlooking the Mississippi provides a sweeping view of the river and Kaskaskia Island. Panels describe the rich history of Kaskaskia village, including its destruction in the 1880s-1890s by the Mississippi River. The overlook and nearby day-use area include picnic shelters with tables and grills. A campground includes tent-camping sites and thirty-two electrified sites. Playground equipment is located near each end of the day-use area. A footpath leads to the Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site, located at the bottom of the bluff.
Fort Kaskaskia hosts a "Traditional Music Festival" on the third weekend in September. Contact the site for details.
Pasted from <http://www.state.il.us/hpa/hs/fort_kaskaskia.htm>
Again a stop and maybe a picnic and short stop….
I had no idea about the "Liberty Bell of the West" or the Kaskaskia Bell here is a brief excerp:
The Kaskaskia Bell can be found on the 14,000-acre Kaskaskia Island, the only part of Illinois that lies west of the Mississippi River. Cast in LaRochelle, France in 1741, the 650 lb. bell is slightly smaller in size and weight than Philadelphia's Liberty Bell, but is eleven years older. The church bell was a gift of King Louis XV of France to the people of the Illinois Country. One side of the bell is ornamented with the royal lilies of France in relief. The other side bears a cross and pedestal, with the top and arms of the cross terminating in grouped fleur-de-lis. The French inscription reads, "For the church of Illinois by the gift of the King".
The bell became known as the "Liberty Bell of the West" following the capture of the town of Kaskaskia by George Rogers Clark during the American Revolution. The village had been under British rule since 1763, when the French ceded the Illinois Country to Great Britain after the French and Indian War and the Peace of Paris. The capture of the town came about during a nighttime raid by Clark and his Long Knives. The following day, July 4, 1778, Clark announced that neither the inhabitants nor their property would be harmed. The villagers, "nearly frantic with joy", rang the bell in thanksgiving.
Just up the way is the Pierre Menard House which is an example of "French Creole-style architecture" which shows the lasting influence of the French along the river. Again, I am not so sure that Illianna and the Kids will be interested but maybe a short stop…..
Further up the river is the Fort de Chartres State Historic Site (IL)
Which is an old stone French fort. I don't know, but maybe Illianna and the kids will be interested byut I kind of doubt it ;-) Like I said, I imagine about this time in the trip I will start hearing how they all look alike etc….. ;-) An I imagine that about this time, they are going to be getting anxious to get up to St Louis and get set up for the night.
As I look at it, I really don't see that much of interest on the Missouri side of the River as far as historic sites and what not. There are a few town of Historic interest that I am sure have history and deserve more in-depth research. Maybe that will be the next Post Looking at the opportunities on that side of the river. Of course, if we are going to follow the Lewis & Clark trail, we really should stay on the the east side of the river as the Louisiana Purchase had not been completed yet and the Spanish were administering the area for the French. That is why Lewis & Clark made camp east of the river at Camp Dubois till the garrison commander at St Louis received word of the transfer of property….
20091104
Where the rivers meet.....
As I look at the maps and on-line travel guides, it is apparent that Cairo is going to require a little time to explore. As the two rivers came together here, so has an awful lot of history.
I am thinking that we might attempt to make camp in this area the second night. It looks as if there is camping at the Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area just to the Northwest of town a slight distance that might be a good base camp for a couple days exploration. I thought about the Ft Defiance Camp Ground but it does not have modern hook-ups... I'm sure that there are commercial Campgrounds such as KOA's around but when possible, I'd really like to stay in state and national parks as much as possible.
Right now, I am thinking that we will make Cave-in Rock the first night. Then travel down river seeing the sights along the river into the Cairo area and camp. Spend the third day of our journey exploring all Cairo has to offer, spending the second night in the Cairo area and then head up the Mississippi the following morning.....
There is a lot to see in Cairo. to start with it is an ole river town with wonderful architecture.
There is the confluence of the two rivers. I imagine that I would be able to spend a fair amount of time there just enjoying nature. It the spring it should be green and after two years in this dust bowl, I think I can enjoy seeing vegetation. As mentioned above there is Fort Defiance right there between the two rivers. Of course, I want to see it for the Civil War heritage aspects. But, how could anybody pass up the opportunity to see what has been labeled, "The Ugliest Park in America"? For some reason, I have trouble believing this. Maybe it's just being so close to Missouri but this is a case where you are going to have to show me.
In keeping with the Civil War Heritage, there is The Mound City National Vetrans Cemetery. Cemeteries, especially old ones can be quite interesting places as there use to be quite a bit of creativity in the monuments erected to memorialize the dead.
There is also the Customs House Museum which seems to have exhibits covering the whole history of the area from the Lewis & Clark expedition to the Civil War to the heyday of the Steamboat era....
As mentioned above, the architecture will be a sight to see also. I am sure that Illianna will enjoy looking at the old houses and buildings.
I am thinking that we might attempt to make camp in this area the second night. It looks as if there is camping at the Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area just to the Northwest of town a slight distance that might be a good base camp for a couple days exploration. I thought about the Ft Defiance Camp Ground but it does not have modern hook-ups... I'm sure that there are commercial Campgrounds such as KOA's around but when possible, I'd really like to stay in state and national parks as much as possible.
Right now, I am thinking that we will make Cave-in Rock the first night. Then travel down river seeing the sights along the river into the Cairo area and camp. Spend the third day of our journey exploring all Cairo has to offer, spending the second night in the Cairo area and then head up the Mississippi the following morning.....
There is a lot to see in Cairo. to start with it is an ole river town with wonderful architecture.
There is the confluence of the two rivers. I imagine that I would be able to spend a fair amount of time there just enjoying nature. It the spring it should be green and after two years in this dust bowl, I think I can enjoy seeing vegetation. As mentioned above there is Fort Defiance right there between the two rivers. Of course, I want to see it for the Civil War heritage aspects. But, how could anybody pass up the opportunity to see what has been labeled, "The Ugliest Park in America"? For some reason, I have trouble believing this. Maybe it's just being so close to Missouri but this is a case where you are going to have to show me.
In keeping with the Civil War Heritage, there is The Mound City National Vetrans Cemetery. Cemeteries, especially old ones can be quite interesting places as there use to be quite a bit of creativity in the monuments erected to memorialize the dead.
There is also the Customs House Museum which seems to have exhibits covering the whole history of the area from the Lewis & Clark expedition to the Civil War to the heyday of the Steamboat era....
As mentioned above, the architecture will be a sight to see also. I am sure that Illianna will enjoy looking at the old houses and buildings.
20091102
A little town we like to call Metropolis
I doubt that we spend a lot of time here but, we will for sure make a stop..... With a four year old that thinks Spiderman is the living end, I think that a visit to the home town of Superman and his museum of super heroes is definitely in order!!
While there is Fort Massac there, I am thinking that we may forgo this one because there are going to be LOTS of other forts along the trail and I fear that the little ones and Illianna will tire of them as all being the same...... Just a little further down the road will be FT Kaskaskia and it has more of a Lewis & Clark connection.
Of course there might be a side trip down the road to Paducah to the National Quilt Museum. I know if Mom was going with use that would be a required stop. I don't know If Illianna and Bridgette will want to go.... Now, if the Boy Scout Museum was still in Murray, then it would be a MANDATORY side trip..
While there is Fort Massac there, I am thinking that we may forgo this one because there are going to be LOTS of other forts along the trail and I fear that the little ones and Illianna will tire of them as all being the same...... Just a little further down the road will be FT Kaskaskia and it has more of a Lewis & Clark connection.
Of course there might be a side trip down the road to Paducah to the National Quilt Museum. I know if Mom was going with use that would be a required stop. I don't know If Illianna and Bridgette will want to go.... Now, if the Boy Scout Museum was still in Murray, then it would be a MANDATORY side trip..
This ain't goin'a be cheap!
One of the most important parts of any expedition is the financing of said expedition. Of course, this is also one of the things that you very rarly hear anything about. Not a lot of attention is given to what Columbus had to go through to get his little trip under way but, there is certainly a lot of attention paid to the riches he brought back. The simple fact of the matter is that no mater the size of the trip, it costs money. Be it a trip across town or across the country, you are going to incur expenses. The bigger the trip, the bigger the expenses.
The entire budget for the original Corps of Discovery was $2500... For some reason, even though our corps is much smaller than the original, I just don't think we are going to get by quite that cheap.
The National Park Service advertises the Lewis & Clark Trail as having a length of 3700 miles, one way. If we start at the Falls of the Ohio and follow the river down to Cairo and then up the Mississippi to Camp Dubois like the original Corps of Discovery, that means another 500 miles to the trip. And of course there are going to be side trips too. There are a few thing out west that I want to show the kids and Illianna that are not on the path that Lewis and Clark blazed. While we are that close to some of these places and things I plan to take advantage of them. Who knows when we will pass that way again. I mean, I am closing in on 50 and have never been to the northwest, the Dakotas, Yellowstone, the Little Big Horn, Deadwood...... there's a lot to see out there ;-) SO side trips are going to add some significant mileage to the trip. And even though I have a GPS devise, there will be wrong turns and tours of parking lots, trips to the store and who knows what which further add mileage to the odometer. Oh yeah, and once we get there, we got to get back. Straight line back, we are looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of another 1700 miles. Now, we haven't really talked about the route back yet but I am pretty sure we aren't going to follow the Lewis & Clark Trail back east but, even if we did, that is another 3700 miles which we will use for planning purposes. That means this trip is going to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 8500 miles and more probably 9,000 miles. At 20 miles to the gallon, that means 450 gallons of diesel. Now, I'm thinking that 20MPG in the mountains is not realistic so, I figure as a planning factor another 150 gallons for safeties sake, I mean that is a 33% margin right? So, 600 gallons of diesel at $3.00 a gallon [Yeah, I know that is high but who knows what it will be in the summer.] means we are looking at fuel costs of around $1800.
That leaves us $700 to live on....... And unlike the original Corps of Discovery I don't think we will be able to suppliment our diet by hunting the native game along the trail..... More on Food and Lodging later..........
The entire budget for the original Corps of Discovery was $2500... For some reason, even though our corps is much smaller than the original, I just don't think we are going to get by quite that cheap.
The National Park Service advertises the Lewis & Clark Trail as having a length of 3700 miles, one way. If we start at the Falls of the Ohio and follow the river down to Cairo and then up the Mississippi to Camp Dubois like the original Corps of Discovery, that means another 500 miles to the trip. And of course there are going to be side trips too. There are a few thing out west that I want to show the kids and Illianna that are not on the path that Lewis and Clark blazed. While we are that close to some of these places and things I plan to take advantage of them. Who knows when we will pass that way again. I mean, I am closing in on 50 and have never been to the northwest, the Dakotas, Yellowstone, the Little Big Horn, Deadwood...... there's a lot to see out there ;-) SO side trips are going to add some significant mileage to the trip. And even though I have a GPS devise, there will be wrong turns and tours of parking lots, trips to the store and who knows what which further add mileage to the odometer. Oh yeah, and once we get there, we got to get back. Straight line back, we are looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of another 1700 miles. Now, we haven't really talked about the route back yet but I am pretty sure we aren't going to follow the Lewis & Clark Trail back east but, even if we did, that is another 3700 miles which we will use for planning purposes. That means this trip is going to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 8500 miles and more probably 9,000 miles. At 20 miles to the gallon, that means 450 gallons of diesel. Now, I'm thinking that 20MPG in the mountains is not realistic so, I figure as a planning factor another 150 gallons for safeties sake, I mean that is a 33% margin right? So, 600 gallons of diesel at $3.00 a gallon [Yeah, I know that is high but who knows what it will be in the summer.] means we are looking at fuel costs of around $1800.
That leaves us $700 to live on....... And unlike the original Corps of Discovery I don't think we will be able to suppliment our diet by hunting the native game along the trail..... More on Food and Lodging later..........
Travel Links on the side bar
I don't really have a good post for today. It is not because I haven't been doing research and thinking about places to see on the trip or anything of that nature, It's just that I don't have anything really ready for public consumption yet.
What I have done is started adding links to the side which I have found helpful for planning purposes. As I find new links, I will add them to the side. Hopefully, some of you will find them useful in your trip planning also.
You readers will have to forgive me as I am new to blogging, I do not yet know all the neat little trikes of embedding photos etc., but I am learning...... I have not decided the best way to organize the links along the side. I am thinking of maybe splitting them up by State. This organization would provide a nice logical structure to the reader which couldn't really be argued with. The problem with this structure is what to do with the National Park Sites or the web sites that cover multiple states or regions? I am open to suggestion.
Maybe the layout of blog links is like the planning of a trip in that it never turns out quite like planned and if one adherse ridgidly to a plan you will not only miss a lot, you will not get the full benifit and enjoyment.
What I have done is started adding links to the side which I have found helpful for planning purposes. As I find new links, I will add them to the side. Hopefully, some of you will find them useful in your trip planning also.
You readers will have to forgive me as I am new to blogging, I do not yet know all the neat little trikes of embedding photos etc., but I am learning...... I have not decided the best way to organize the links along the side. I am thinking of maybe splitting them up by State. This organization would provide a nice logical structure to the reader which couldn't really be argued with. The problem with this structure is what to do with the National Park Sites or the web sites that cover multiple states or regions? I am open to suggestion.
Maybe the layout of blog links is like the planning of a trip in that it never turns out quite like planned and if one adherse ridgidly to a plan you will not only miss a lot, you will not get the full benifit and enjoyment.
20091101
Cave in Rock Illinois
One of the first stops we aregoing to make in our journey Down the River is at Cave-in-Rock, Illinois.
While there were LOTS of places where river pirates plied there trade against the pioneers, tradesman, and explorers going down the Ohio, none gained the lasting notoriety of Cave-in-Rock. The operation of Cave-in-Rock's days as a pirate haven were probably best shown in the Classic Jimmy Stewart movie, How the West was Won. Though, if I remember right, in the movie they took artistic liberties and placed the the cave and pirates further upriver in Ohio. Some of my research suggests that Cave-in-Rock was the actual location used for shooting those scenes of the movie but, I have yet to confirm that as fact. I also seem to recall a Disney Movie about Mike Fink and the Keel-boats that dealt with the pirates at Cave-in-Rock.
I have always wanted to see the Cave-in-Rock since I first learned about it while doing genealogy research. I have a FORD line that just appears in southern Indiana in the 1840's from Kentucky as if by magic and we can find no trace of them. In discussing my frustrations on tracing this line, an old friend mentioned Cave-in-Rock and told me the story of the River Pirates; The Devil's Ferryman. On the Kentucky side of the river, it seems one of the most notorious bands of River Pirates was headed by a Ford Family who ran a ferry across the river. For some reason, I had always connected the two but I'm not sure why..... I also have kind'a dismissed this since, this activity took place west of central Indiana and I just don't see pirates and outlaws moving deeper into the settled areas.. Of course, it would provide an opportunity to avoid as many run ins with victims that might have escaped and moved on west. Anyway, that is how I originally became acquainted with Cave-in-Rock.
It looks like this might be a good place for our first nights stop in Illinois as there appears to be a large campground in the state park. With two young kids, stories of pirates and thieves should be a sure hit!. Maybe we can get a copy of the movies so they can see where they are.
I have found many links to the location that tell the history quite well.
While there were LOTS of places where river pirates plied there trade against the pioneers, tradesman, and explorers going down the Ohio, none gained the lasting notoriety of Cave-in-Rock. The operation of Cave-in-Rock's days as a pirate haven were probably best shown in the Classic Jimmy Stewart movie, How the West was Won. Though, if I remember right, in the movie they took artistic liberties and placed the the cave and pirates further upriver in Ohio. Some of my research suggests that Cave-in-Rock was the actual location used for shooting those scenes of the movie but, I have yet to confirm that as fact. I also seem to recall a Disney Movie about Mike Fink and the Keel-boats that dealt with the pirates at Cave-in-Rock.
I have always wanted to see the Cave-in-Rock since I first learned about it while doing genealogy research. I have a FORD line that just appears in southern Indiana in the 1840's from Kentucky as if by magic and we can find no trace of them. In discussing my frustrations on tracing this line, an old friend mentioned Cave-in-Rock and told me the story of the River Pirates; The Devil's Ferryman. On the Kentucky side of the river, it seems one of the most notorious bands of River Pirates was headed by a Ford Family who ran a ferry across the river. For some reason, I had always connected the two but I'm not sure why..... I also have kind'a dismissed this since, this activity took place west of central Indiana and I just don't see pirates and outlaws moving deeper into the settled areas.. Of course, it would provide an opportunity to avoid as many run ins with victims that might have escaped and moved on west. Anyway, that is how I originally became acquainted with Cave-in-Rock.
It looks like this might be a good place for our first nights stop in Illinois as there appears to be a large campground in the state park. With two young kids, stories of pirates and thieves should be a sure hit!. Maybe we can get a copy of the movies so they can see where they are.
I have found many links to the location that tell the history quite well.
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