Sticking Around Here During Summer: A Classic Boat Show-- Part 1

SATURDAY, JULY 20TH

This is a time I hate when two local communities here in northeast Illinois both have their big summer festivals on the same weekend.  Try as I may, I just haven't been able to pull off being in two places at the same time.  Someone needs to talk to Antioch's Taste of Summer and McHenry's Fiesta Days.

However, today, the first two things we did were not entirely connected with Fiesta Days, but I'm sure they were planned around it.

First, Liz and I went to Famous Freddie's Roadhouse on Pistakee Lake to see the Blackhawk Chapter of Antique Boats Show in the water by the outside tiki bar.  Our friend Glenn had his Coronado there.  I'd estimate there were around 30 old boats there, several as old as the 1930s.  There was even one that reminded my of Humphry Bogart's African Queen.

This used to be held in McHenry at Joey T's before it burned down.

Of course, old motor boats are most often what we call Woodies.  They are made entirely of wood and require a whole lot more upkeep than I'd like

We talked to one guy in his 1936 woody who said he'd bought it from a 95-year-old lady living north of Minneapolis-St. Paul two years ago.  She and her deceased husband had had it since the early 1970s, but she hadn't had it in the water for many years and it was in horrible shape.  He said he had spent a whole lot of time refurbishing it and today was the first time he had had it in the water. (Hopefully he remembered to put the drain plug in before he launched it.)

Freddie's is on the Chain Crawl so we had cocktails and got the passport stamped.

Then, onto the Wall.

But,  Then, That Boat Looks Mighty Fine.  --RoadDog

Winning Wiener Here in Lake County, Illinois-- Part 1

From the July 25-31, 2013, Lake County (Ill.) Journal.

Of course, this is famed Chicago Dog land here north of the city. 

"Americans eat a lot of hot dogs.  Seven billion from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year, in fact.  There's even a National Hot Dog and Sausage Council to tell us that."

And, July is National Hot Dog Month!!

The Lake County Journal staff set out to find who makes the best Chicago Dog.  They asked readers to nominate the best and six places received the most votes.  Then, in a strictly unscientific study, the staff visited and rated the places based on six criteria: the bun, the dog, the condiments, the appeal, the value and messiness.  A good Chicago dog should mess your fingers and palm.

Points were deducted for soggy buns (especially stale buns in my book), limp pickles, too many/much condiments and stale sport peppers.  (No sport peppers for me, thank you very much.)

Chicago-style dogs, according to Sammie's in three Lake County locations: Round Lake Beach, Lake Villa and Grayslake, should consist of a poppy seed bun, the dog, relish, mustard, onions, tomato, a pickle and celery salt.  Sport peppers are also added (but not for me, thank you.)

Next, The Top Six Ranked.  --RoadDog

Why I Like to Stick Around Here During Summer-- Part 3

FRIDAY, JULY 18TH

Another really hot day.  So, it became movie day and I saw "Pacific Rim."  Nothing like a cool movie on a hot day.  All I can say is, "Move Over Godzilla, there are new monsters in the city."  And they messed it up just as badly.

Then, it was over to Stormy Monday on Fox Lake where the Usual Suspects sat ut on the deck until it got too hot and we adjourned inside.

I had planned to go to Taste of Antioch to see the band Infinity, but it sure looked like thunderstorms and, it was still pretty hot, so didn't go.

Then, A Real Busy Saturday.  --RoadDog

He Made HoJo's a Cultural Icon-- Part 3

A more recent TV show about Howard Johnson's featured "Mad Men's" Donald Draper and his wife at one.

A young Jacques Pepin, who is now well-know as a chef and cookbook writer worked as an apprentice to Howard Johnson.  Pepin said, "He was always going forward, taking chances.  He was always enthusiastic and as generous with his spirit as his money."

The Howard Johnson restaurants offered travelers and locals a familiar setting and menu, convenience and even cocktails.  These are still the things the more expensive chain restaurants like TGIF, Applebees, Chili's and Olive Garden offer.

Noted Road Food Guy, Michael Stern, said, "The whole concept of Howard Johnson's and its formulas is antithetical to the concept of road food."  But, he has fond memories of HoJo's.  "They did it with a certain amount of style" and that no one would ever say the food was junk food.

Quite the Man, That HoJo.  --RoadDog

Why I Like to Stick Around Here During Summer-- Part 3: This Past Weekend

July is the prime time for local activities.  As I mentioned Saturday, two towns within ten miles of us had their big festivals this past weekend.

With the extreme heat, I also made use of the local theater and caught some movies each day.  Nice and air conditioned, you know and way too hot to do anything much outside.

MOVIES:  Wednesday "Grown Ups 2," Thursday "The Lone Ranger" and Friday "Pacific Rim."  The first two were panned by critics, but I sure enjoyed them as did the others in the theater.  Lots of outloud laughter.  Really liked "The Lone Ranger."  If you liked Indiana Jones or Pirates of the Caribbean, this is the movie for you.  As for "Pacific Ring," move over Godzilla, there is a new city wrecker in town.

THURSDAY

Antioch's Taste of Summer.  Fairly hot.  Saw the band B.B.I. on stage playing R&B and Funk.  Finally got too hot and headed up the hill to The Lodge to cool off.  Then went to a new place called Wings, Etc.by the Piggly Wiggly and had some of their boneless chicken special.  Some of the best sauce ever.  We'll be back.

Good Times In the Area.  --RoadDog

He Made HoJo's a Cultural Icon-- Part 2

Sad to see Howard Johnson's essentially gone from the landscape.  That ice cream was s-o-o-o-o good.  Plus, some other couples and us used to go for weekends to a Howard Johnson Motel in Rockford, Illinois, that had an idoor pool back in the 70s.

There was also a Howard Johnson motel in Dekalb where we occasionally stayed.

Howard Johnson was born in 1897 ij Boston and got his start in 1925 when he took over a drugstore in the Wollaston section of Quincy, Massachusetts.  Business began booming when he bought an ice cream recipe from an "elderly German pushcart vendor."  That ice cream was far richer than anything else due to twice the butterfat and all-natural flavorings and colors.

Mike Butler said, "It was the best ice cream ever made (well, maybe Ted Drewes' in St. Louis).  He used the finest ingredients.  Everything was top-notch."

Then, Johnson began opening stands along nearby beaches and had 25 restaurants along Massachusetts highways by 1935

He began franchising his restaurants but continued strict control of the food quality.

Was That an Ice Cream Truck Going Down the Street That I Just Heard?  --RoadDog

Did I Mention the Antique Boat Show Today?

Almost forgot to mention all the antique boats that will be in the water at Freddie's in Fox Lake this morning until noon.  This event used to be held in McHenry by Joey T's on the Fox River, but that place has since burned down.

There will be lots of "woodies" there, what we call the old wooden runabout boats that used to ply the Chain of Lakes.  One of those in perfect shape is a sight to behold. 

We plan to get an hour of boating in now that the heat wave has broken and stop by Freddies (right off US-12 south of Fox Lake) on our way to McHenry.

Good Times In the Area, Indeed.  --RoadDog

Why I Like to Stick Around Here in the Summer-- Part 2: Festivals and Events

This weekend is one of the biggest around here in northeast Illinois with Antioch's Taste of Summer and McHenry's Fiesta Days both going on.  I wish they'd be able to come up with having these on two different weekends, but no.

ANTIOCH'S TASTE OF SUMMER

Entertainment all four days along with eleven local restaurants offering their wares and a carnival.  Sidewalk sales going on all over downtown and lots of specials.

Thursday we ventured out in the extremeheat and saw BBI playing their mic=x of R&B and funk.  We missed last night's band, Hi-Infidelity because of the heat and what appeared to be some big storms that never quite materialized (but at least it broke the heat wave).

Tonight they have one of the top local bands Modern Day Romeos and tomorrow 7th Heaven in the afternoon.  We're planning on going to see both, especially since the weeklong heat wave has ended.


MCHENRY FIESTA DAYS

It started a week ago, but the big two days are this weekend.  Today they have Art in the Park with probably 70-80 vendors set up in Veterans Park.  Also, the Traveling Vietnam Wall is at the VFW on Il-120.  We'll be visiting both of these.

Then, Riverfront and Green Streets are blocked off with bands and more vendors.  Lots of food and lots of drink out there from 10 to 4, when they close it down.

Tomorrow is one of the biggest parades around through downtown McHenry.

Plan to be Really Busy This Weekend.  --RoadDog

Doing My Lincoln Highway Centennial Thang-- Part 8: Fatty's on Lincoln Highway

After the near parking ticket incident and not finding a way to drive anywhere near Cole Hall, Denny followed me out to Lincoln Highway (Illinois Highway 38 through Dekalb) to a favorite watering hole of ours, Fatty's.

The building originally opened in the '70s as a Mr. Steak (part of a popular chain that Liz remembered and looked it up) and has been several different places since then until becoming Fatty's about ten years ago.  It was originally located north of campus out on Greek Row.

Great food and drink specials and even better, the home of NIU Huskie athletics.  All sorts of Northern sports items around inside and the best place to watch a game if not downtown at Lord Stanley's (also on Lincoln Highway and a big Blackhawks, hockey place, getting the name Stanley from that Cup) or Huskie Stadium.  The last two years they featured a Huskie football mug with drink purchase.

I was hoping to introduce Denny to two local delights, the deep-fried Cajun Potato Salad and Beer Nuggets.

Good Eating, But Definitely Come Hungry.  --RoadDog

He Made HoJo's a Cultural Icon-- Part 1

From the December 19, 2012, Chicago Tribune by Bill Daley.

"Howard Johnson built a coast-to-coast network of eponymous restaurants and motel franchises that fed the wanderlust of mid-20th-century North America.

In so doing, he transformed Howard Johnson's into a cultural phenomenon known to millions for its signature orange roofs, 'tender-sweet fried clams and 28 flavors of ice cream.

'Every chain restaurant you see today is a direct result of Howard Johnson,' said Mike Butler, who is manager and part-owner of the Howard Johnson's in Lake Placid, NY, one of the last two HoJo's restaurants in existence.

'He was a man ahead of his time.  He was the first to have turnpike restaurants, and the roofs were orange so travelers could see them a mile away.  He was the first with kids' menus and games, and the first to package his most famous items for retail.  ...Any franchise restaurant has something Howard Johnson pioneered.'"

As good of an introduction to the man and his places as you can get.

I definitely remember those orange roofs, but Dad would never stop, saying the food was too expensive, nor would we stay at one of his motels.

Plenty More to Come.  --RoadDog

Lincoln Highway Tie-In

On today's Civil War blog, "Saw the Elephant" I wrote about the tie-in of the Battle of Gettysburg and the Lincoln Highway.

A real centennial and sesquicentennial.

And the two anniversaries just missed each other.

RoadDog

Why I Like to Stick Around Here in the Summer-- Part 1

Well, there is that boating thing on the Chain of Lakes as well as this is a mighty busy time out in the yard.  I have some might prolific weeds and plants that just grow and grow and grow.

And, we don't call the house Key North for no reason.

Plus, I have my own bar downstairs in the basement called Margaritaville and The North Woods entertainment area.  And, don't forget, The Ultimate Jukebox with 300 hand-picked CDs.  A great area down there especially when it gets too hot outside (like right now).

Outside, I have a great front porch, the Flats (my patio on the east side), the gazebo, the deck, the Grand Strand (my sun patio by the gazebo) and a shade patio by the deck (between the Bradford pear tree and crabapple).

Then, farther out to the back of the yard is the arboretum.  This is a shaded area with 9 trees, Mud and Bud's Sitting Room and Heineman's.

And, I can always pull out the portable bar in the garage.

I put a lot of time into getting these places squared away to the way I like it so I should get the opportunity to enjoy them.

So who needs to travel and make those GRBs at Big Oil richer. 

That's What I Can Do At Home.  --RoadDog

Doing My Lincoln Highway Centennial Thing-- Part 7: No Parking Ticket

So, there we were looking at and taking pictures of that wonderful old Altgeld Hall (named after Illinois' Education Governor and one who didn't go to prison) and I see a fella in an orange vest over looking at the cars.  Then, he takes out a book and starts writing in it and looking at license plates.

And, we had just been there may four-five minutes.  Had he been hiding in some bushes and watching for the parking skippers?  I hurried over to him and explained we were just taking pictures and Denny was from out of town.  Honest, we were just admiring the old building.  He was nice enough to to tear up the ticket.

We left right away and I tried to get over to Cole Hall to show what has been done to honor the five students killed by the murderer back five years ago on Valentine's Day.  But, as they used to say, "There is no way you can get there from here."  After several attempts, we gave up and drove out to the Lincoln Highway and Deep-fried Cajun potato salad at Fatty's.

Saved Some Money At Altgeld.  --RoadDog

Not Saying It's Hot, But, Man Is That Heat

Heat advisory on here in northeast Illinois until tomorrow.  Temps all week in the 90s with plenty of humidity.  To make it worse, no breeze.  I can stand heat as long as the air is moving, but without it, I have instant sweat, even just sitting still.

How hot was it?

A couple days ago I had problems starting the '85 Firebird.  It was too hot to put my fingers on the key slot on the steering wheel.  Then, that steering wheel was something else.  I needed a pair of gloves, but it was too hot for that.

Any work in the yard and I have to peel the wet clothes off when I come in.

The heat is also putting a crimp in boating as it is too hot.  Fortunately, there are some slight breezes every now and again out on the lakes.

First, it was too cool in the spring, now summer has arrived full force.  Hopefully it will break by this weekend.

Something else causing problems with driving the cars, truck or boat (even the lawn tractor) is gas prices at $4.15 a gallon.  Apparently, Big Oil has decided that is the minimum they want it to insure their huge profits.  Hey, CEO needs a new McMansion.

Sittin' Here and Sweatin' Right Now.  --RoadDog

Doing My Lincoln Highway Centennial Thang-- Part 6: First Caravan Cars and Denny

Going back to June 27th.

I saw my first of the old cars in the caravan coming through Dekalb at 4:07, just one car, though.  Then a group of five came through at 4:28.  Participants in the caravan have magnets on the sides of their cars.

Denny gave me a call that he was on the outskirts of Dekalb so I told him to meet me at the east McDonald's.  He had had a traveling companion since leaving New York City last week, but the companion left in South Bend, yesterday.

Denny followed me to the main entrance by Northern Illinois (right on the Lincoln Highway).  That takes you by the Lagoon area and up a slight rise to NIU's very first building, Altgeld Hall, built in the 1890s which has been very carefully preserved to its original grandeur in the past ten years.  It is called "The Castle on the Hill" as that is exactly what it is called.

We got out of the cars and walked around a little taking pictures.  I didn't bother putting coins in the parking meters, figuring with it being late in the day and during the summer, we shouldn't have any problems. 

Wrong.  --RoadDog

Posting Again

I ran into problems on my other four blogs where I couldn't skip lines or make more than one paragraph.  People do not like to read long paragraphs, believe me.

I have no idea why that happened last Monday, July 7th.  Anyway, today I hit the compose or HTML keys, not sure which and all of a sudden, I had my paragraphs back on the other four so decided to take a try on this one and my two Civil War blogs to see if they too are ok.

This one is alright.

Good to Be Blogging Again.  --RoadDog

Boat's Finally In the Water

I didn't write about it in this blog as I haven't posted since July 6th because of problems in my other blogs.

But, we finally got the boat in the water July 10th and have been out four times since then.  We're shooting for 40 times on it for the season and are 1/10th of the way there.. 

Earlier, we battled two big floods that closed the Chain of Lakes down as well as really cool temps.  Now, the problem is temps in the 90s with no breeze until Sunday.

Here's Hoping for a Break.  --SeaDog

Help!! Knocked Down By a Double Gas Gouge in Five Days.

Two major Gas Gouges in five days have struck us here in Northeast Illinois.  And, they weren't just a few cent increase, no siree!!!  These were Big Babies.  First, it jumped from $3.54 on July 10th to $4 at some point July 11th.  And, I have heard that this 46 cents increase took place in just a minute.

Then, it dropped to $3.87 by yesterday.  This morning, every station had gas at $4.20, a 33 cents increase, again, within a minute.  I smell collusion.

I wrote quite a bit about it in my Down Da Road blog where I have also listed what Big Oil calls their Gas Gouges.  This one is the return of the infamous "Summer Driving Season" which used to result in a 5-7 cent increase over the summer, but not anymore.

How can you go driving at these prices?

GRBs At Work Again.  --RoadDog

Doing My Lincoln Highway Centennial Thang-- Part 5: Still At the Egyptian

Evidently, Dekalb, Illinois, and especially the part a block off the old Lincoln Highway by the Egyptian Theater, is a good place to be on Thursdays during the summer. 

First you now have outside dining at the Hillside Restaurant which has been there since the 1930s. That, of course, is open everyday, weather permitting.  If I recall, they're famous for their fried chicken.

Then, across the street at the park, on Thursdays, there is free music from noon to 1:30.  Unfortunately, I was too late for that.  In addition, there is also a Farmers Market on Thursdays as well.  Took a walk around the markey.

I got the hankering for some popcorn and remembered the little stand at the corner of this street and the Lincoln Highway and walked to it, but sadly, it appears to be closed.  It used to be a regular stop when I was downtown, especially when we were doing the Lincoln Crawl as we called hitting the bars downtown.  It is just a little place hanging onto the side of a building.

 I visited the Chamber of Commerce across the street in an old bank and picked up all sorts of Dekalb City and Dekalb County information.  I also like that the city has put a lot of cast iron benches along the sidewalks, just inviting a sit-for-a-spell and wait for some caravan cars.

Unfortunately, the lady in the Chamber of Commerce didn't know about the caravan coming through, nor was there mention of it in the local newspaper, The Dekalb Chronicle for June 27th.

And, I Sure Wasn't Seeing Any.  --RoadDog

How Come So May Cop Shows Are Set in New York City?

From the Feb. 26, 2013, USA Today "Cop shows get their man in New York" by Gary Levin.

"There are 8 million stories in the Naked City."  Are so said the tagline for this 1958 TV show (wonder how they got by the censors with the name "Naked City back then).

This article was written in connection to CBS' new "Golden Boy" TV show premiering.  It is another of a long, long line of cop shows based in New York City, this one about the youngest police commissioner of the city and his progress toward it with the help of a grizzled old-timer getting ready to retire, who taught him the ropes.  Unfortunately, the show was since cancelled (even though I liked it, thanks guys).

It joined the also cancelled CSI: NY and "Blue Bloods" as shows set in the city.

Then, there was the longest-running cop show "Law & Order" that also spawned four spin-offs, all but one "Law & Order: SVU" are long gone.  Then there are other "less conventional" police shows like "Castle," "Person of Interest," "Elementary" and "Unforgettable."

Then, going back a ways: "Kojak," "Baretta," Cagney and Lacey," "NYPD Blue" and "Brooklyn South."  Sitcoms "Car 54, Where Are You" and "Barney Miller" (still gets me seeing the Twin Towers at the beginning).

So, how come so many are set there?

That's a Lot of Shows.  "Who Loves Ya, Baby?"  --RoadDog

Getting My Music On: Patriotic and Summer '73

By the way, I need to mention upcoming shows on Chicago's Drive, WDRV 97.1 FM.

TODAY--  Bob Stroud does Patriotic Songs on his Ten at Ten at 10 AM and 10 PM.  Just in time for you know what.

Tomorrow--  Ten at Ten to 1980.  Ten songs from that year.

SUNDAY--  Bob Stroud goes back 40 years for his second (of four) installment on the music of the summer of 1973.  These would be songs you were listening to on the radio (WLS and WCFL) July7, 1973.  This is his Rock and Roll Roots Show and runs from 7 to 10 AM.

All times Central.

And, it streams at www.wdrv.com .

A Good Team makes for a Better Time...Always.  --RoadDog

Doing My Lincoln Highway Centennial Thang-- Part 4: No Shows Summer Months

Next, I took a ride out east of downtown Dekalb on the old Lincoln Highway, an area I never used  to drive much during my college days from 1969-1973, except maybe to the town of Maple Park, which had alcohol sales on Sundays (Dekalb didn't back then).  Guess what day my fraternity went there.

It is four lane all through Dekalb.  By the way, Lincoln Highway through here is Illinois Highway 38.  I drove out to the edge of town and found Dekalb Florist shop which has a sign saying it was founded in 1904.  With time to kill, I was going to take a walk through their hothouse which advertised everything in it on sale for half price.  I said I was going to because they had all their sprinklers on at the time.

On the way back to town, I saw gas at a station for $3.66.


DEKALB'S EGYPTIAN THEATRE

I stopped by the neat old Egyptian Theatre downtown and parked (FREE PARKING, Chicago!!).  It is called that because it looks like something you'd expect to see in ancient Egypt.  It was built shortly after the discovery of King Tut's tomb back in the 1920s.  Quite a few theaters were built with that inspiration across the country back then, this being a really fine survivor of that architectural style.

A group now owns it and is committed to keeping the place open.  At one time it was thought that the place would be torn down (which would have been a shame).  The inside is as ancient Egyptian as the outside.  We've been in it back during Dekalb's Corn Festival back a lot of years ago and just recently in May for the Illinois Lincoln Highway Motor Tour Centennial Celebration.

It was closed, unfortunately.  A sign taped to the door said, "The Egyptian has never had air conditioning.  Still doesn't since 1929.  No shows summer months."

Modern Folk, Especially Southerners, Need Their A.C..  --RoadDog

Why We Don't Go to Chicago Much Anymore

I will be writing about a Chicago Tribune article involving a sightseeing trip on Chicago's Michigan Avenue next.  But, I thought I needed to explain why we rarely go to the city anymore.

Without a doubt, there are a lot of things to see and do in Chicago and I used to take full advantage of them back in the day before the city decided to overcharge me at every turn, worst of which being the the parking prices, especially with the coming of restricted on-street parking in any neighborhood with popularity.

Now, you have to have a parking sticker showing you're a neighborhood resident.  Park without one and you're very likely to get a close-up and personal meeting with Steve Goodman's Lincoln Park Pirates, in other words, a towing company and their unbelievably exorbitant prices who are very dedicated to making money and are constantly on the prowl looking for victims.

We used to go to Wrigley Field or Comiskey Park a lot and always, after looking for awhile, could find a parking place on the street somewhere within walking distance.  Can't do that anymore.  And, you'll never guess what the regular parking lots did when that happened?  Why, they raised the rates quite a bit.

And then there was the past Mayor Daley's selling the parking meters to a private company who then immediately raised parking rates and now are approaching $5 an hour for on-street parking (and probably higher (like I said, we don't go there much anymore).  That was an ongoing source of income that no longer comes into the cash-strapped city.

Well, That's a Big Reason Why We Don't Visit Chicago Anymore.  There Are Others.  --RoadDog

Doing My Lincoln Highway Centennial Thang-- Part 3: My Old School

I had time to kill, so drove around campus, which borders on the Lincoln Highway.  As a matter of fact, the grand entrance is on the road and the lagoon and Altgeld Hall are just north of it.  That has always been the prettiest part of campus in my estimation.  I was planning on meeting Denny and any others at the entrance, but there were no parking spaces available there.

Drove out to West Campus (the dorms) and saw the Chesick Indoor Practice facilities progressing nicely.  That is one huge building. 

Then went to Village Commansd Bookstore which features pennants from every school we have played in the last whole bunch of years.  I looked especially at all the Orange Bowl gear they had.  Last December, NIU shocked the sports world getting an invite to play at the Orance Bowl at the BCS level. something a mid-major like Northern never figured would happen.  We even drove down for it along with lots of Northern Illinois fans.  Didn't buy anything though.

Drove out to Greek Row north of campus and saw the old Pike House which is now closed down after the fraternity was kicked off campus after a pledge drank himself to death last year.  All sorts og trials and lawsuits are imminent.  Really sad news, but to be expected in this era of doing everything to the extreme, especially with college students. 

I lived at the Delta Sigma Phi house on Greenbrier 1970-1971.  It no longer is a fraternity house, but open for students to live here for next school year.  Thought about going in and looking around, but decided not to do it.

Out East on the Lincoln Next.  --RoadDog

Doing My Lincoln Highway Centennial Thang-- Part 3: Sliders and Hawk Gear

I went to White Castle for my Lunch of Champions, namely the #1: 4 sliders, fries and drink for $5, less senior discount.  I was shocked at how fast they got the order out to me.  Usually a visit to the Castle requires a wait. 

As usual, I didn't get very many onions on my sliders.  It is a standing joke for Liz and myself that whenever we go to White Castle and order out #1s, she gets the sliders loaded with onions (and she doesn't like them) and I get the ones with very few.  We end up trading sliders so everyone is happy.

Then to Wal-Mart to look at the nursery for plants and see if they had any Blackhawk gear with the Stanley Cup on it.  After all, our guys won the Stanley Cup Monday night.  They had stuff so started gathering items until I noticed that most of them were for Western Conference Champions, meaning they were going to play for the Cup.  I wanted stuff with Stanley Cup Champions.  So, I put everything back except a cap that had Stanley Cup Champions on it.

Looking for Blackhawk Stanley Cup gear would be a running theme the whole way back home.

Then to Lowe's to look at the nursery and bought an interesting hosta.  I received a call from Denny while there, saying he was getting lunch with the other caravan folk at the Joliet Museum and would be on his way after that, so I had plenty of time to kill.

Love My Grilled Onions.  --RoadDog

Doing My Lincoln Highway Centennial Thang-- Part 2

At the intersection of Illinois highways 23 and 72, east of Genoa, there was a farmhouse with a banner outside reading "Pray for my Son."  Not sure what that was all about.  There is also one of those neat oval barns as I approached the town.

Gas in Genoa was $3.80.  There is an restaurant with a neat sign reading Roberts Drive-In.  Looks like it has been there for quite a long time.

Gas in Sycamore was $3.76, proving again that the farther you get from Chicago, the cheaper gas gets.

Entering Sycamore on Il-23 which is a really built-up corridor with four lanes, lots of stoplights and traffic as well as most any SHS (Stabdardized Homegenized Stuff), I saw the population of the city is 43,900. I imagine that doesn't count the students at NIU.

Gas in Dekalb was $3.70 at the Road Ranger so filled up.  It is nice to have gas prices here in Illinois finally coming down.  The wonderful GRBs at BO kept it as high a s long as they could to make those huge profits that you no longer see publicized for some reason.

I Really Hate Those Guys.  --RoadDog