Day 5 - Peru, IL to Winterset, IA, then Des Moines

Holliwell Covered Bridge

We started with a good breakfast at The Big Apple Restaurant. After spending a questionable night in the Super 8 we needed a good lift. The food was delicious and the waitresses talkative and friendly. (Click on any photo to enlarge)

Hearty Skillet
Hashstack
Today's plan is to drive 6 hours and 15 minutes, 333 miles, with several stops along the way, including a state park, museum and several covered bridges.

First, we headed to Starved Rock State Park, only a short distance away. We hiked for 2 hours taking in the landscape, wildlife and views.

The Legend of Starved Rock

Starved Rock State Park is another one of those special places that deserves its own page. Go here https://travelingvtjs.blogspot.com/p/starved-rock-state-park.html to see more photos and learn more.

We stopped in Princeton, IL to search out a couple covered bridges.

Captain Swift Covered Bridge
Red Covered Bridge
Illinois River Road

We continued on our journey, stopping at Black Hawk Museum and Historic Site in Rock Island, IL. A very interesting history lesson. We only stayed for an hour, which definitely wasn't enough time to see everything.

Black Hawk

This was another special place that deserves its own page. To see more photos and learn more visit https://travelingvtjs.blogspot.com/p/black-hawk-state-historic-site.html .


We also enjoyed some authentic Mexican food at Don Juan Mexican Cochina in Davenport, Iowa.

Finally, after a few hours we reached Madison County in Iowa where we started the Madison County Covered Bridge Tour on our way to Winterset.

Imes Covered Bridge
Imes Covered Bridge
Holliwell Covered Bridge
Holliwell Covered Bridge

We photographed a couple covered bridges before reaching our place to stay for the night.

Disaster struck! Julie missed a step on the staircase and tumbled down the stairs. I called 911 and they were there within a few minutes. After quickly checking her and getting her vitals she was loaded into the ambulance and taken to the West Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, IA. where we stayed until morning. After a CT scan and x-rays it was determined that Julie had a broken clavicle. We both felt some relief after a very scary night, though Julie is bruised and battered from head to toe. We needed to consider what we were going to do next.

Today's route:


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