Woodstock, Illinois-- May 1st

As usual, we took Illinois Highway 47, south to get to Route 66 so as to avoid the Chicago hassle.

We started at Woodstock, one of our favorite towns. One reason was to see the ruins of Grace Hall, a once magnificent Prairie-style structure that served as a dormitory for the Todd School for Boys and where Orson Welles lived. It was knocked down Thursday after a long battle between preservationists and the current owners. All that is left now is a pile of bricks and wood with a couple pieces of heavy machinery sitting on top of it.

Sad that Woodstock, a village known for its preservation, would have allowed this to happen.

We then took a ride around the square which dates to the 1850s. This is small town ambiance at its greatest. Springtime it is particularly beautiful with all the blooms on the trees.

Had we not been in a hurry to get to Dwight, we would have stayed as there was a huge farmers' market taking place with booths lining two sides of the square and in it. Lots of people milling around.

Sad to see that the new restaurant that had opened in the building which served as the Tip Top Cafe in he movie "Groundhog Day" was for sale. For some reason no business has been able to succeed in that location and I sure would like to eat there sometime. I believe if someone reopens it as the Tip Top, it would be a success.

The Victorian home that served as Bill Murray's Bed and Breakfast in the movie is being reopened as an actual B&B. They had hoped to have it open for the Groundhog Day Festival this past February, but it wasn't. It still isn't open, but they have rebuilt the fence that was featured in the movie.

On the way back to Il-47, we drove down Lake Street which has a half mile long row of purple lilacs which were all in bloom.

The Good, the Bad Woodstock. ---RoadDog