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Uprooted Tree in western Illinois
This was one of many trees down on our drive. We did a lot of driving today, but actually got to get out for a little while, which felt good. We started in Willowbrook, Illinois, and drove Route 66 through many smallish towns. We stopped for an earthcache in Joliet and pulled up just as a barge was going through a drawbridge. We saw that bridge close, and then the one down river go up, too. The boys (and parents) thought it was very cool. We also stopped at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield to see Lincoln's Tomb.
There were storms in the area over the past 24 hours, which was very apparent along much of drive. Our first indication was a huge chunk of silo in the middle of a field, with the closest farm buildings across the highway. The next was a destroyed barn with pieces strewn across a football field's length or two in another field. There were tree branches at the curb in many yards, and giant trees with huge chunks missing or completely down. The root system of one we saw had to have been at least 7 feet wide. Tree crews were everywhere cleaning up, but they still had a lot of work to
Flooded Mississippi
Note the light poles marking the walkway. do, since we wove around one big chunk to get to our next destination, Chain of Rocks Bridge.
Last time we were here, Jeff wondered why the bridge was so incredibly long. Now we know. We had seen a lot of water in ditches and fields, and such, but the Mississippi is incredibly high, threatening to spill over the dike at the parking area. All six of us headed for the middle of the bridge, with Jeff and the boys getting there significantly earlier. Cole was fine while we were in the trees, but once it was open water on both sides, he did not like it at all. He's not a big fan of heights, and this was apparently plenty high for him. He may not have liked it, but it was really cute to watch him walk down the middle of the bridge.
We had a little time to kill once arriving in St Louis, so we ate at Hard Rock. The boys absolutely love that place, and we've actually eaten at this one before. They were really disorganized, so it took a while to be seated, even at 6 on a Sunday evening, but we
did finally get to eat. I love their Twisted Mac, and the boys just devour their pasta. We all had dessert, too, which was probably unnecessary, but yummy.
The final stop was Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the Arch. Apparently, we visited here when I was a child, but I don't remember that. Mom and Dad have not been up, so we took the ride to the top and took many photos. The height of the Mississippi is even more impressive here, since the riverside walking path is submerged, as are the docks to some boats. As we left the parking garage, we noticed the road to the interstates was also under water. Wow! Last year, the Mississippi looked like it could be walked across at many points, so this is a drastic change.
- - - - -
Miles: 337
Highest Gas Price: $3.99/gallon
High Temperature: 66 (Springfield, MO)
Low Temperature: 60 (St Louis, MO)
Conversation of the Day (after Mom's shower):
C: You look younger, Grandma.
S: Oh, really? How much younger?
C: You look 100 years younger.
Geocaches Found: 9
New License Plate States Seen: 8 (MO NM NJ OK NY KS VA
AR)
Projects Completed: 0
We learned that the river's up.
We forgot spray paint for Cadillac Ranch.
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