Chicagoland

19-27 August, 2012

We pretty much deadheaded down I-90 towards Chicago because we want to spend a little time with Chris before he and Russ head off to Ireland. Still managed to take some scenic detours and to visit some interesting sites.

I-90 crosses southern Minnesota, just above the border with Iowa. We passed farm after farm where it seems that if you aren’t growing corn, then you are growing soybeans.  There were lots of huge wind turbines scattered along the way. We spent a night at Myre-Big Island state park just outside of Albert Lea. The lake is a moraine-dammed lake, created thousands of years ago from the last glacial period. Lot of birds, including pelicans, cormorants, ducks and turkey vultures.

We stopped in Austin, Minnesota to tour the SPAM museum. A very fun museum with lots of cute displays centering on SPAM.  They did a great job of presenting the history of Hormel as well as the history of SPAM. Russ realized that he is probably one of the more dedicated fans of Hormel since he likes Hormel Chili, Dinty Moore Beef Stew and Mary Kitchen’s Corned Beef Hash. I am less of a fan.

As we neared Wisconsin, we decided to get off the interstate and take US Highway 16, which is a National Scenic Byway and which continues east to reconnect with I­-90 at La Crosse, Wisconsin. The countryside was beautiful, with rolling hills and wandering rivers. It would be an especially scenic drive to take in the fall.

Stayed at another state park, this one in Wisconsin called Goose Island. It is an island out in the Mississippi River and the Wisconsin mosquitos must be vacationing there.  I got all chewed up – ouch! This is the first place we have stayed where campfires are allowed.  Previously, the fire danger was too high because of the drought. There were hardly any campers, I presume because school has started locally. Nice and quiet.

Stopped for lunch at Wisconsin Dells. Someday, when I come back to do my family research in Wisconsin, we will come back to the Dells and take a boat trip down the Dells. The town itself is not worth going back to again – too much like a cheesy boardwalk – lots of t-shirt and fudge shops.

Made it to our Chicago campground that night.  This campground really isn’t anywhere close to Chicago; it is about 55 miles away. But it is the closest campground we could find. Very close by is the Illinois Railway Museum.  This is a huge facility area-wise as well as content-wise.  There must be hundreds of rail cars and engines. Most are in need of restoration, but it seems they have a rather large group of volunteers taking care of the facility and equipment.

It is about an hour and a half drive down I-90 to Chris. We have been to Chicago a few times since arriving. Spent part of one afternoon taking a river cruise and tour of Chicago architecture. On Sunday, Chris took us to the Chicago History Museum where the exhibits are all about Chicago – history, culture and neighborhoods.  A very nice way to spend a rainy day with our favorite son.

I dropped Russ and Chris off at the airport on Tuesday, the 28^th, to head off to Ireland for a week. They will be touring Dublin and attending the Notre Dame/Navy game. They arrived as scheduled and are starting their adventure.

In the meantime, I am holding down the fort in Chicago. Took a long scenic drive from Rockford down to Dixon, meandering along a beautiful river. Dixon is the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan.

After Chicago, we are planning to head back through Iowa to visit Russ’ aunt and then meander down south through Kansas City, Oklahoma City and points along Route 66 as we start our trip home. 

Bird flock at Big Island State Park.

 

Our campsite, just across the road from Albert Lea Lake.

The view from our campsite.

A cormorant.

Lots of turkey vultures were in the area.



The theater had a nice video about the origin of Hormel and the creation of SPAM.



One of the many beautiful vistas along US Highway 16 on the way to La Crosse Wisconsin.

This streetcar offers rides to visitors at the Illinois Railway Museum.

Reminds me of the garage museums in Alaska, though Russ pointed out that these were at least labeled.



One of the oldest streetcars around.



There were 4 large "barns", each with 6 or 7 rows of cars. You can see how big the buildings are, each row housed 8 or 9 cars.



The really old steam engines had huge wheels, taller than Russ!

Spent a nice afternoon taking an architecture river cruise in Chicago.

Russ posing as a "Comiskey" dog.

Chris really likes biking around Chicago - perhaps not on this bike though.



Some of the firefighters' equipment from the "Great Fire of Chicago".



A copy of Lincoln's death mask and the actual bed he died in.  Some Chicagoan bought it and brought it to Chicago.



A view on US Route 2 on the way to Dixon.

Ronald Reagan's childhood home.