Cave-in-Rock State Park, Illinois

Cave-in-Rock State Park covers 204 acres mostly wooded property on the Ohio Riverfront just outside of the small town of Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County, Illinois. The park is owned by the state and maintained by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (INDR).

When we were making plans to visit southern Illinois our first thought was to stay in one of the rental cabins at the park. However, it was February and the cabins and adjoining restaurant were closed for the season. Instead, we found lodging in the nearby town of Elizabethtown and made a day trip to the park. The main attraction is a large natural cave which is normally just above the river.

Unfortunately, on the day of our visit the river was flooding and the cave filled with water. We still enjoyed taking a short hike along the high bluffs in the park, taking in the scenic views across the Ohio River. Perhaps some day we'll visit the Cave-in-Rock State Park again at a more opportune season. Then again, maybe we won't. There are so many other places to go and there's so little time. Seeing places in the off season has its own charms.

Folks who come to Cave-in-Rock in summer will not experience as we saw it, nor will they have the place all to themselves as we did. In the photo I am sitting at a picnic area in the park, on a high bluff several feet above the flood.

Cave-in-Rock, Illinois

Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, is a village of about 450 people located on the north bank of the Ohio River in Hardin County, southeastern Illinois. The town is rich in history, much of it revolving around the a 55-foot-wide cave in a high bluff on the bank of the river. 240 acres of property adjoing the town contains the Cave-in-Rock State Park, which includes the cave. In downtown Cave in Rock, travelers can board a free ferry which crosses the Ohio River, the only ferry which connects Illinois on the north bank to Kentucky on the south bank of the river.

Two popular films have been made at Cave-in-Rock. They are Walt Disney's "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates" and also the MGM classic "How the West Was Won." In 1997, The History Channel television program, "In Search of History," filmed an episode on "River Pirates" at the cave.

Chicago River, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is built on Lake Michigan, but a river runs through it - the Chicago River. Beginning at Lake Michigan and flowing southward through the heart of the city, the river is crossed by numerous bridges and its banks are lined with skyscrapers.

The Chicago River, which runs for 156 miles, is notable for having reversed its direction in a famous civil engineering feat in the 19th century. The current was redirected to flow away from Lake Michigan, into which it previously emptied, and towards the Mississippi River basin. This was done for reasons of sanitation, to flush polluted water away from the city and the lake.

The river is also noted for the local custom of dyeing it green on St. Patrick's Day.Several vendors offer guided cruises on the river which is an excellent way to learn more about the city, its history and impressive architecture.

Lincoln Park, Vandalia, Illinois

This small park, directly across the street from the old capital on Main Street, celebrates the fact that Abraham Lincoln served briefly in the state legislature here as a young man. In fact, it was the only office to which he was ever elected before he became the 16th president of the United States. A sculpture in the park depicts Lincoln as he would have looked at the time he served here, before his rise to national prominance and fame. Besides the statue of Lincoln, there's not much in this brick paved park except a couple of benches, a few plants, two lamp posts and a gazebo.

Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, Illinois

Danville is located in East Central Illinois 125 miles south of Chicago and 80 miles West of Indianapolis with interstate access to both cities. It is situated on the North Fork of the Vermilion River, about 30 miles west of the Indiana/Illinois state line, and is the seat of Vermilion County.Danville offers several lakes, many with boating and fishing, The land is hilly with large valleys. Featuring the only Federally designated Scenic River with a State Park offering camping and County Parks featuring many hiking trails. offering 11,000 acres of wildlife, ponds and lakes.

Danville has a rich Local History including the first Genealogical & Historical Society in Illinois. Danville is also known for several Famous Entertainment Personalities. Abraham Lincoln pracitced law here before he became President of the United States.

Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois

When I was a kid living in East Tennessee, in 1960, my dad took me and two of my brothers to Chicago and the the favorite thing we saw was Shedd Aquarium. We were all awestruck - talked about it for years. Last summer my wife and I went back to Shedd - and we were awestruck again. There's a reason they call it "The World's Aquarium."

We've been to other newer aquariums which had acryllic walk-through underwater tunnels that Shedd can't match. But the one thing Shedd has that the others don't is the Oceanarium, and that's been added since I was young. This 3 million gallon marine mammal pavilion is the world's largest. To us it was definitely the highlight of our visit. The beluga whales, white-sided dolphins and other amazing creatures had us open mouthed and gasping with delight.

We were there on a summer weekend when the line was VERY long. We went back again on a Sunday in early autumn, and there was hardly any line at all.

Grand Rose Hotel, Elizabethtown, Illinois

The Grand Rose Hotel, established in 1812, is the oldest hotel in the state of Illinois and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel, which is owned by the state of Illinois, is perched on a high bluff with panoramic views of the Ohio River.

There are only four guest rooms, including one suite, a dining room, and a small gift shop. Although it is almost 200 years old, the hotel is completely updated with modern conveniences and is operated by Bob and Sandy Vinyard as a bed and breakfast.

We thoroughly enjoyed our two night stay at the Grand Rose in Elizabethtown, Illinois, and highly recommend it for those looking for an accomodation that is scenic, historic, and romantic.

Harvard, Illinois: "Milk Center of the World"

Harvard is the self-proclaimed "Milk Center of the World." The title is used to celebrate the large number of dairy farms once in the area. An annual Milk Day Festival, held the first Saturday of June, draws over 90,000 people to a week long celebration. It is the longest continuously running community festival in Illinois.

The photo above is of Five Points Park in the center of Harvard. The fiberglass holstein cow is Harmilda (HARvard MILk DAy), the town's mascot. Behind her is a mural of other dairy cows.
Harmilda has been a fiberglass fixture in Harvard since 1966. In 1991, a plan to move her from the downtown intersection sparked a protest by townspeople and children carrying signs that read "Don't Mooove Harmilda." She still stands at the "y" intersection of two downtown streets.