I'm at a loss to figure out how we manage to attract people who so ardently dislike birds. You know ... those beautiful little creatures that seem lighter than air, graceful beyond description, and sing the melodies of nature. It may seem a little odd but the previous two years our dear friend Carol and hubby Jim divulged a secret that she has a total disdain for our feathered friends since she was a little girl. I swear she is the first person I had ever met that didn't like those sweet little things. O' contra ire ... how wrong was I! No sooner than Bill and June pulled into the park yesterday I discover the second person in the world who hates birds. June. Yes June. Now my plans to visit all the aviaries in the Mississippi River watershed are dashed. Oh darn! But what about all the quarters I'd saved to buy birdseed from those little dispensers? Maybe I can better use the money elsewhere ... perhaps a slot machine in Biloxi.
We've spent a little time looking around the area and discovered as usual, there is something unique just about every place we go. At Bill and June's urging we made a stop at the regional center for the arts. A very classy facility with a wide selection of art works from Illinois artist. From wood furniture to pottery to quilts and metal work ... something for everyone and every pocketbook. Traveling on we made a short visit at nearby Rend Lake. A beautiful body of pristine water originally created back in the 1950's as a water storage reservoir for the region. Today, there were a number of fishing boats plying the waters for the local catch.
Next stop was to Pleasant Hollow Winery (www.pleasanthollowwineries.com). A large regional wine producer who just happened to have a very nice hospitality house that provided samples of all there products. Not wanting to miss out on anything free, we bellied up to the bar and sampled away. A short time later we walked out the door with about 6 bottles of their finest (or so we think) in tow and headed off for our next adventure.
Heading south a few miles is the lively little town of Benton. And located within the Chamber of Commerce building is a very small museum that housed several old cars, one of which was more interesting than I had planned on seeing. Sitting there was a 1916 Dort.
Manufactured in Flint Michigan, this car was part of the history of the area I have lived in for almost 40 years. Pretty special find for me. In addition, there was a very unusual set of photographs illustrating the last official hanging held in the county. The series of 6 photographs clearly showed the guy, prior to being hanged, laughing and joking with the crowd before his demise. The museum spokesperson went on to tell the story behind hanging and told us the gallows was still located next to the old jail just a block away. Never having seen a real gallows live (who has?) it was kind of creepy but still interesting. I guess every city should have tourist attraction ... but a gallows?
Just so you know ... we did eat out while in the area. Actually we ate out three times. Unusual for us as we ate at the same place each time. The only place you'll find the name of the Whittington Café is on a hand made sign inside the café. The locals refer to the building that it's located in as the 'Zone'. The café is sandwiched between the Shell station and an un-named tavern. They say you can't judge a book by its cover and even though this was not much more than a big room with tables and chairs, and a grill with a cook in tennis shoes and a t-shirt, the food was pretty good and priced right. Our waitress Mandy was a gem with a great sense of humor and completely honest about what food on the menu was worth ordering. I'd give you their website but they don't have one. So if you're in the area ask for that place to eat at the Zone.
Finally ... A Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you. Safe travels.
Still livin' the dream.
Phil
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