POST 1144; june 25, 2013; near GALENA, ILLINOIS ; JUNE 24, 2013: GALENA, ILLINOIS

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We have been absent for three days.  During this time, SAM and ME have crossed the Mississippi River, walked into the State of IOWA...then North on US 52 toward the city of DUBUQUE, Iowa.

Following up the invitation from Paul and Nancy while visiting sister Carol last week, we arranged to meet just South of Dubuque, where SAM and ME hitched a ride in their SUV...first driving through Dubuque...then to the historic town of GALENA, where we enjoyed lunch in the DE SOTO HOTEL...and an interview by the local newspaper.

Tonight (Tuesday, June 25, 2013, will be our second night at the magnificent home of Nancy and Paul...a home sited on top of an 1,100 foot mountain with views North and East for at least 40 miles across heavily treed rolling hills.

Please say HELLO to GIGI and BILL...with whom, two mornings ago I enjoyed one of the most delectable breakfast meals in memory...after a restful night in their Bed and Breakfast in SAVANNA, Illinois.

The elegant Breakfast Room at Gigi and Bill's.

Adorned by classic art on every wall and in every corner.

I was joined by bikers (motorcycles) who also stayed over in the B&B.  For the past three weeks, the roadways of mid-America have been teeming with motorcycles...finally, I had the chance to spend time with a few.

Please say HELLO to BRUCE and JILL JOHNSON, who took time to walk out to SAM, where we had a friendly chat...wished each other a pleasant continued journey...and where $$ were gifted to SAM and ME. 

Thank you Bruce and Jill...I hope you are enjoying your continued trip as much as I am enjoying having spent time with you.

Sunday morning walking out of the city of SAVANNA, Illinois...next: 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

Local SENIORS saw SAM and ME off as we walked and rolled out of Illinois.

A rather impressive photograph of the Mississippi River Bridge which SAM and ME will cross in a moment...IOWA awaits on the other side.

Not the safest bridge over which to cross...note:  NO BERM !

Passing vehicles graciously STOPPED to allow SAM and ME pass.

"OLD MUDDY"

The Mississippi River leading South to New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.

First IOWA town is SABULA...on the banks of an island in the middle of the Mississippi River.

SAM, contemplating the causeway leading from Sabula (behind the camera) to the West shore of the Mississippi River.

Local "weed" growing along the causeway roadside.

Please say HELLO to Father and Daughter, MIKE and MARIAH WILDER...on their4 way to ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI...following the Mississippi River to raise awareness and $$ for HOPE STATION:  serving the orphaned, surrendered, and disabled children of China: www.hsorphans.org
.

Local THISTLE.

...and another THISTLE.

We will be following the Mississippi River North for the next few days.

The beautifully sited river town of BELLEVUE...where SAM and ME found a room in the RIVERSIDE HOTEL...a building housing the town tavern, restaurant, and hotel.

RIVERVIEW MOTEL.

Once again, it has begun to rain...SAM and ME have been wet for most of the day.

Please say HELLO to CLARE...our hostess for breakfast.

The staff of the tavern and hotel were ever so kind to SAM and ME...even allowing SAM to park overnight in the POOL ROOM...(game room).

Thank you, all.

View from my hotel room looking onto LOCK AND DAM # 12.

Already 1/2 mile out of town, we were hailed by...

Please say HELLO to Editor LOWELL CARLSON...who, conducted an interview for the local newspaper.

LOCK AND DAM #12.  The long river barge tows travelling the Mississippi River pass through a number of similar dams the length of the river.

SAM contemplating the Mighty Muddy Mississippi River.

Bless by the Water Fountain Angel in the City Park of Bellevue, which reaches along the entire river from north to south of town.A

A BUCKBOARD...usually pulled by a single horse...made famous by BOB HOPE...:

singing the song BUTTONS AND BOWS:   "East is East...and West is West...and the wrong one I have chose..."

Part way up our first long steep hill on US 52 as we look back on the town of Bellevue and Lock and Dam # 12.

This part of the banks of the Mississippi River is a series of steep hills...making our walk very difficult...not to mention on-again off-again thunder storms drenching us much of the way.

We planned to meet Paul and Nancy just South of DUBUQUE, some 20 miles North of Bellevue.  It is apparent after the first hour that we will be MUCH later than the expected 2:00 pm meeting.  We phone., advising of our slow pace..."no problem...call gain when you get closer and we will come fetch you."

A pair of MULES.  We do not see many mules.

Please say HELLO to JIM BLITZEN.  Gentleman Jim, local farmer, took his breakfast this morning in the Riverview Cafe, during which he and I carried on a rather lengthy conversation on many subject...of considerable interest being M.A.A.R.S.

Jim invited SAM and ME to stop at his farm about 4 miles north of town.  When we arrived, there stood Jim, patiently waiting in his driveway...a plastic bag in hand.  When presented, Jim says..."nearly everything in this bag was grown or made by my wife and I...to help you on your journey..."

Jim and I continued visiting alongside the highway...time forgotten...

...finally, I had to say Good Bye...leaving behind another friend.

View from the ridge-top not far from Gentleman Jim's farm.

These cows started bellering as SAM and Me walked and rolled into view.  I answered them with my best bellow...they all instantly ran directly to us until stopped by the fence.

US 52 becomes very steep and winding...slowing our progress even more.

Church in the tiny LUXEMBURGER village, 1/2 the distance from Bellevue to Dubuque.  Second phone call made to Paul, advising of our non-progress.

Please say HELLO to PAUL and NANCY...

Paul, brother to RUTHIE (room made to sister Carol in the DeKalb nursing home), and Nancy, both retired, live on a mountaintop some 15 miles from Dubuque...

SAM and ME have been invited to spend the night...and revel a bit with a few of their friends...

But first, a late lunch - early dinner, in the nearby historic town of GALENA, Illinois.

GALENA, ILLINOIS...

...more GALENA, ILLINOIS.

...and yes, still GALENA...nice to look at...as picturesque as any in Europe.

...and surprised to find a few SAN FRANCISCO look-alike buildings.

Please say HELLO to DAVID...reporter for the GALENA GAZETTE, who joined us for lunch...during which I answered his many questions.

Lunch was in the historic DE SOTO Hotel...above which is a bit of historical information.

View from the home of Paul and Nance...as seen from my daylight basement room.

Entry to Paul and Nancy's home.

Not only is this small region geologically and historically significant...so have some neighbors given their homes significant names.  Moments after taking this photograph, a group of about 8 wild turkeys walked across the above driveway.

NANCY'S ROAD...

Today, Nancy took me for a 3 + mile walk on the mountain road leading to their home.  Hilly, curvy, no lines, nearly no vehicles. 

Only the second person in over three years to join me in a walk.

Thank you, Nancy.

Tomorrow, SAM and ME will be driven into Dubuque for breakfast...then a visit to VERIZON to program my new (unused) DROID phone...then set free to continue north on US 55 with the town of GUTENBURG, IOWA (no, not the birthplace of the Printing Press...the Other Gutenburg).

Then, we say goodbye to two more new friends.

Thank you Paul...Nancy... for sharing your own friends, home, and love.

POST 1143; JUNE 22, 2013; SAVANNA, ILLINOIS

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Two nights ago, a number of well meaning folks directed SAM and ME to the OREGON PATCHWORK INN...a Bed and Breakfast..where we received an excellent room for the night ($82.00)...a good rest, but because I was so very beat up from walking something like 40 miles the first day after a week letting those nasty blisters heal..., and an excellent breakfast of French Toast, Sausage, lots of fruit, and selection of drinks.  Breakfast was at 7:30 am...allowing SAM and ME to be on our way to SAVANNA, ILLINOIS...some 48 miles distant.

There was simply no way we were going to put in a 48 mile day.  We called it quits after 30-something miles when we reached the small village of LANARK, ILLINOIS.

Having no idea where we could find a place to sleep for the night...there being NO motel...and we knew no one...we stopped in at the BROTHER'S RESTAURANT located at the intersection of IL 64 and the entrance to Lanark.

Things got instantly better !!!

Please say HELLO to the couple who owned and operated the PATCHWORK INN, Oregon, Illinois...naturally, I did not write down their names...condition that I MUST correct before another day goes by.

Main Street (IL 64), Oregon, Illinois...taken as SAM and ME made our way out of town, leaving about 9:00 am.

City Hall, Oregon, Illinois...after a lengthy restoration project.  While walking through Oregon last year, the building was surrounded by construction platforms. 

Although I have done no research on the history of Oregon, Illinois, I got the message from signs throughout town that the OREGON TRAIL. has had something to do with the history of Oregon, Illinois.

The above Street Sweeper Truck passed SAM and ME a couple times as we walked West on Illinois 64.

One of many impressive homes of Oregon, Illinois.

The Convenience Store that seemed to be always located at just the right spot...when I was hurting for a drink of some more flavorful that warm water is:  CASEY'S FOOD STORE...found extensively in the back country of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.  I am rather certain Casey's is also found in many other mid-West places...places SAM and ME have yet to visit.

An extraordinarily tinybeautiful dainty baby blue wild flower growing along Illinois 64.

Yes, there is beauty in death and decay

SAM and ME walk through many small "whistle stop" villages nearly every day.

The lawn mower in the above photograph moved at a speed just  tad shower that SAM and ME...still, this machine, escorted by the SUV behind it, drove West on Illinois 64 for about 10 miles...pulling into the driveway of a farmhouse.  All the while, a steady rather heavy rain fell on us...with more than an occasional lightning and thunder accompaniment.

It was the first opportunity to try out my new goulashes (rubber over-boots) keeping my walking shoes from filling with rain water.  The "rubbers" performed OK, but are rather awkward as they are much larger than just walking shoes.  Nevertheless, my walking shoes did NOT get wet, so the rubbers fulfilled their purpose.

Illinois 64 crosses many empty miles of Illinois farming country.

...sometimes...although rarely...passing idyllic spots as in the above photograph.  I was taken by the beauty of this place...a place out of the imagination of a long-ago storybook.

...and then, the hills began.  As SAM and ME close in on the Mississippi River, the flatness of the prairie leaves us.  Near the river, the hills become a stubborn barrier when pushing a 200 + pound SAM.

Reaching the small town of LANARK, ILLINOIS, we have walked and rolled something over 30 miles...after yesterday's 40 + miles, a heavy drain on my reserves.

We stop in the welcome BROTHER'S RESTAURANT.  SAM waits outside as I enter, am seated - grateful to sit down - and study the menu.

Presently, the above lovely lady is standing over me...

Please say HELLO to MINDY.

I order Raspberry Ice Tea and ICELANDIC COD FISH...then answer Mindy's questions of how we came to be in Lanark...and our urgent problem to find a place to spend the night.

Mindy looked me in the eye..."...Honey", says she..."not to worry, we will find you a pleasant place for the night."

In the next 30 minutes, as I savored the excellent Cod dinner, no less than 5 different people came to my table, telephone in hand, assuring me that half the town was notified of the need of SAM and ME.

Before I could finish my dinner, Mindy again stood over me..."Honey", says she..."I have two pieces of good news:  One of our regular customers has paid for your dinner...Oh yes, I told him thank you for you...and will do so again;  also, our church Pastor will telephone you in a few moments to arrange your overnight stay in his church.

Long story...made shorter:  Pastor PASTOR LATHROP invited SAM and ME into his home, where we were given our own room...which we did not retire into until midnight...Claire (as he prefers to be called)...and I sat up all evening trading "war" stories...seems Claire and his professor wife, Marcie, are both from the Seattle, Washington area.

Town Clock

...one of many mid 1800 buildings which grace main street of Lanark, Illinois.

Please say HELLO to Claire...

...or as he is better know within his church...PASTOR PATRICK LATHROP.

Awaking to the smells of bacon grilling wafting up the stairs to my bedroom, I quickly dressed and joined Claire for the excellent breakfast he whipped up.   At 8:30 am, SAM and ME said goodbye ... complete with manly hugs...and walked back down LOCUST STREET...only to meet up with...

Please say HELLO to DAWSON...yes, just like the Dawson Creek of gold-diggers fame in Alaska / Canada.

Dawson was standing on the grass strip between the sidewalk and street as SAM and ME walked past...

..."Just got done talking to the Pastor...he said you would be walking by my house, so I have been waiting to meet you."

Dawson impressed me as the non-traditional 12 year old going on 40...a very wise, proper, and respectable young man, who carried on his conversation as few three times his age do.

Thank you, Dawson, for taking a few moments to say hello to SAM and ME...another moment of proof that our walk is important to many.

As we turned onto Illinois 64, it again began to rain...(thunder, lightning, and torrid downpour pounded the roof and windows of my bedroom all night) again.  The Eastern horizon photograph shows the weather front that had only minutes before, passed over the town of Lanark, Illinois...where memories will accompany me to the end.

...as Mindy said..."...this town is a very friendly town..we take pride in our town and all who live here...you need something...no problem...someone - or many - will fix it."

Many waterways cross the flat prairie of this part of Illinois.  After the rains of the past two days, many of the ditches are nearly full...in fact, Dawson told me flooding is expected today.

Illinois 64.

Those big rolls of hay seen lying about farmer's fields...are moved about by tractors such as the one pictured above.  Twin forks - much like the Fork Lift used in warehouses - are mounted on the front of the tractor...allowing the big heavy rolls to be easily moved about.

After 5.5 hours, SAM and ME walk and roll into our destination town SAVANNA, ILLINOIS...sitting on the East bank of the MISSISSIPPI RIVER.  We have now completed the first third of our walk...that being from the ATLANTIC OCEAN to the MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

Next detail:  find a place to sleep tonight.  SUPER 8 is full up.  L&M MOTEL is full up.  There are only two motels in town.  The owner of L&M Motel knows of a B&B (Bed and Breakfast)...picks up his cell phone...yes, there is a room available...yes, someone will arrive in a few minutes to pick you up...drive you to the office for registration...then return for SAM.

Please say HELLO to JERRY and GIGI.

Jerry is Right Hand Man (although his right arm won't work any more, having injured it in a duty-related incident as an EMC recently) to owner GIGI.

In the next hour, I find how determined folks operate.

SAM and ME are comfortably planted in one of GIGI's three B&B homes...all of which have filled up while I have been creating this blog update - a number of overnight residents, walking into our room to chat...just as though we were all back home...Jerry and GIGI coming and going - Jerry even did my laundry after driving me to the local supermarket to pick up din din.

Illinois 64 as it passes through the Eastern part of SAVANNA on our way to our home for the night.

Our bedroom...again, our $$ is no good. 

Breakfast is when we want it...we will be joined by 16 other overnight tenants...those who will sit down at 6:30 in the morning before riding their Hogs back home...some many hundreds of miles away.

Walking may be a bit strenuous... sometimes when trying to find a place to sleep for the night...but, I share with all...sure beats sitting on my tush throwing down deep fried chips...the TV controller in my left hand the most important part of my day.   Just imagine existing on that distant couch...how many fantastic new friends I would have missed today