Cross-Country Vacation 2023

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 ...

  We left the hospital this morning around 7:30AM. We both wanted coffee and something to eat. We picked up Julie's prescription in Winterset, IA, then searched for food and coffee places. A bakery was my first choice, Julie wanted something a little more substantial, so we stopped at two places. We talked about what to do next? Julie's cousin lived only a few hours away, should we take a direct route there? Julie, was graciously insistent that I go to the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, then continue to our next destination. Today's plan is to drive 159 miles in 4.5 hours.  (Click on any photo to enlarge) Off to John Wayne Birthplace Museum and Homestead . I'm a big fan! I've read his biography and seen many movies. It was fun to see childhood photos, artifacts from movies, a short clip from his daughter, and his birth homestead. John Wayne Birthplace I consider this another special place and we create a separate page.  Go to  https://travelingvtjs.blogspot.com/p...

Our morning started admiring the gardens and some birding at Eureka Garden Bungalow Airbnb . Today's plan is to drive 311 miles in 7 hours. Clematis Clematis Columbine Common Camilla Common Camilla Flame Azelea Mexican Snow Ball Eurasian Collared-Dove Female House Finch Male House Finch Eureka, CA is a beautiful city with lot of old architecture. Julie and I enjoyed driving the streets and looking at the Victorian Houses. We ate breakfast downtown at Ramone's Bakery & Cafe . Eric Hollenbeck restores Victorian Homes; he has a show called " The Craftsman " on Magnolia Network that we watch. We wanted to visit Blue Ox Millwork his place of business and check it out. Though this photo doesn't show it, Julie was downright giddy to meet Eric. We spent an hour here and could have easily spent more time. This is another special place and deserves a separate page. https://travelingvtjs.blogspot.com/p/blue-ox-millworks-and-his...