Thursday, 29 June
The Journey to Lowden State Park, IL, from Saylorville Lake, IA
Today’s drive was 261 miles on mostly interstate. We took I-80 East to I-88 East until we reached Dixon, IL. From Dixon we followed the Rock River north on IL-2 to Oregon. Lowden State Park was just two miles further. During our drive, we skirted a large storm to our south but we only got some intermittent light rain.
Lowden State Park
Lowden State Park covers 207 acres near Oregon, Illinois, along the Rock River. The campground was heavily wooded, and the camping sites are of different lengths and conditions. It had a bathroom facility with showers, flush toilets, and numerous pit toilets. Though we had a long site, we could only use a shore section because the trees would keep our slide or awning from extending.
We had to fill our water tanks prior
Jay’s Drive In
After setting up camp, we drove into Oregon and had dinner at Jay’s Drive-In. This nostalgic eatery transports visitors back to the 1950s and 60s. Originally established in the 1960s as a Dog N’ Suds Drive-In, it now features a themed dining room adorned with memorabilia from that era. Patrons can choose to dine inside, enjoy the outdoor patio, or experience traditional car hop service, where friendly staff deliver orders directly to their vehicles.
The menu boasts a variety of American classics, including burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches. For dessert, Jay’s offers a selection of hard scoop ice cream flavors, milkshakes, banana splits, and hot fudge sundaes.
I got the Jay’s Deluxe Double Bacon Cheeseburger with fries, and Lisa got a regular cheeseburger.
Oregon Park East
We stopped at Oregon Park East on the way back to the campground. The park overlooks Rock River, and the low-head dam running across it is designed to maintain a consistent water level and flow.
Friday, 30 June
Black Hawk
Today we headed north to Rockford to visit some attractions. As we left Oregon, going north on IL-2, we passed the 48-foot-tall “Black Hawk” Statue atop a 125-foot bluff that overlooked the Rock River from Lowden State Park. Designed by Lorado Taft in 1910-1911, the statue is made of hollow concrete reinforced with steel and mixed with pink granite. It represents a generic Native American figure inspired by the Sauk leader Black Hawk, symbolizing peace, unity, and the area’s rich Indigenous history. Named after Black Hawk, who resisted U.S. government efforts to displace his people, it serves as a historical landmark and a place of reflection.
Largest Tree in Illinois
Our first stop was the “Largest Tree in Illinois,” located on the Bald Hill Prairie Preserve near Mount Morris. From a trailhead, we walked an easy but not well-marked 0.7-mile out-and-back route that leads to the Illinois Big Tree Champion Eastern Cottonwood tree. The tree is 122 feet tall and 28.5 feet in circumference. There was a bench near the tree and some informational signs. The tree seemed to be in rough shape.
Rockford
We continued to the city of Rockford, which is the fifth-most populous city in Illinois, with a population of around 150,000. As we drove through the city, we saw many abandoned manufacturing buildings testifying to their previous importance as a center for manufacturing, particularly in heavy machinery, hardware, and tools. The city has experienced a decline in manufacturing jobs like most cities in the Rust Belt, which has caused economic hardship. In 2013, Forbes even labeled it one of the most miserable places in the U.S.
Anderson Japenese Gardens
The Anderson Japanese Gardens is a beautiful 12-acre landscape recognized as one of the highest-quality Japanese gardens in North America. Designed to inspire tranquility, the garden features serene streams, cascading waterfalls, winding pathways, and koi-filled ponds. After parking, we walked up to the visitor center to buy tickets. Since a tour was just about to begin, we bought tickets for the tour. We were the only ones in our tour group. The tour guide walked us around the grounds and pointed out the major features and gave us the history of the garden. It was very beautiful.
Historic Auto Attractions
We then drove out to Historic Auto Attractions just north of Rockford in Roscoe, Illinois. It was a fascinating museum that offers a journey through time with its extensive collection of an eclectic assortment of historical artifacts and vehicles. The name of the museum as it contained a lot more than automobiles in its 80,000 square foot warehouse space.
Some highlights include:
- Presidential and World Leader Limousines: The world’s largest collection of these vehicles.
- Gangster Era Vehicles and Memorabilia: A vast collection showcasing cars from the Prohibition era.
- Elvis Presley Display: Memorabilia and cars associated with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
- TV Land Cars: Vehicles from popular TV shows like Batman, Ghostbusters, and Back to the Future.
- Old West Area: Vintage-style stagecoaches, a full-size log cabin, and other turn-of-the-century artifacts.
- John F. Kennedy and Kennedy Family Artifacts: One of the most extensive collections in the country. They even had a window from the book depository (but not the actual window that Kennedy was shot from.)
- The Hall of Christ room, a 911 Memorial room, an Egyptian Artifacts room, an Antique Clocks room, a NASA exhibit, and a huge Animal Kingdom area with stuffed animals.
We meet the docent who was eager to tell us about the exhibits and how he acquired them. Later in the gift shop, we met the owner who had purchased the collection. He was a very unassuming man where a flannel shirt, but was curious to know how we liked his collection. We spent several hours there and could have spent a lot more.
Rockford City Market
We then drove south into Rockford to visit the Rockford Farmers Market, located along the river at Water Street. We were able to find a free parking lot just a block away from the market. Although the market was not as large as advertised, it still had a charming atmosphere. There were about a dozen food trucks, a dozen vendor tents, and two music areas with tables and chairs. Surprisingly, there were not many fruit and vegetable vendors.
We grabbed a few beers from a local brewery stand and enjoyed listening to a band playing 70s favorites before wandering through the rest of the market and along the river. A statue honoring a promoter of public fireworks caught our attention.
I settled on a Chicago-style hot dog for dinner while Lisa chose a chicken sandwich. We sat at the second music area where a solo musician was playing psychedelic riffs on his electric guitar. Afterward, we bought some dog treats for our children’s dog, arriving the next day, and some charity popcorn from a “helping youth” organization to take with us.
Saturday, 1 July
The following morning, our son, his fiancée, and their dog joined us at the campsite. The weather forecast predicted rain for most of the day and the following day, but we lucked out as it stayed south of us.
After they set up their tent, we relaxed around the camp, catching up and enjoying each other’s company. Lisa treated us to a delicious dinner of grilled hamburgers, potato salad, beans, and s’mores for dessert.
Sunday, 2 July
Grand Detour Canoe Trip
It rained overnight, but it had stopped by morning. We had a canoe trip scheduled through White Pelican Canoe & Kayak Rental called the Grand Detour. The trip would take us from a boat launch near the dam in Oregon to the Grand Detour, a sharp bend in the river where it flows north instead of continuing its southwestern course. This bend was once a prominent site for fur trading posts used by early French traders and Native American tribes, including the Winnebago and Potawatomi.
Our launch was scheduled for 10 a.m. I dropped my family near the dam in Oregon at 9:30 a.m., then drove our truck to the disembarkation point at Grand Detour. Though they provided a shuttle service, they don’t allow dogs in the shuttle, so we had to use our vehicle to transport the dog back from the disembarkation point. Rain fell hard during my drive, raising concerns about the weather for the trip. After parking at Grand Detour, I took the shuttle back to the launch site.
By the time we got on the water, the rain had stopped, leaving the sky overcast. The Rock River was wide and calm, with a gentle current of 3-5 mph. The journey took a little over five hours, during which we paddled about 30% of the time. We stopped for an hour at Castle Rock State Park, named for a striking sandstone bluff adjacent to the river.
The highlights of the trip included the sandstone bluffs that framed the river, the sight of herons and swallow mud nests on the rocks, and a memorable encounter with a flock of white pelicans.
Jay’s Drive-In
When we got back to Oregon, we stopped at Jay’s Drive-In for some ice cream before Lisa and I headed back to the campground, and our son and fiance headed back home.
Monday, 3 July
More Brewing Company
We rejoined my son and his fiance the next day at More Brewing Company in Huntley, just west of Chicago. Afterward, we drove to the wedding venue before returning to the camper.
Tuesday, 4 July
Mount Morris 4th of July Parade
Mount Morris, Illinois, is a charming village located in Ogle County, about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. Known for its rich history and small-town values, Mount Morris offers a high quality of life and a strong sense of community2. The village covers an area of 1.56 square miles (4.04 km²) and has a population of around 2,861 as of the 2020 census.
Mount Morris has a fascinating history, dating back to its settlement around 1837 by adventurers from the East Coast seeking open spaces and a better life. The village was once home to Mount Morris College, which contributed to its development and growth2. Today, the town square still retains its historical charm, with landmarks like Old Sandstone, the Memorial Fountain, and the Warren G. Reckmeyer bandshell.
The village is also known for its printing and publishing industry, which played a significant role in its economy. The Kable Brothers Printing Company, established in the late 19th century, became the largest employer in the village and helped sustain Mount Morris during the Great Depression2.
Mount Morris offers several parks and recreational areas, including Dillehay Park, Mounder Park, and Zickuhr Park, providing residents and visitors with opportunities for outdoor activities. The village is also home to a number of Lustron homes, a unique type of prefabricated house built in the post-World War II era1.
Overall, Mount Morris is a picturesque village with a rich history, a strong sense of community, and a variety of attractions and activities for residents and visitors alike.
Mount Morris, Illinois, hosts the Let Freedom Ring Festival every 4th of July. This festive event celebrates the village’s status as home to the official Freedom Bell of Illinois. The festival features a variety of activities and events, including:
- Patriotic Program: A program at the bandshell featuring patriotic music and speeches.
- Bell Ringing: The Freedom Bell is rung at 1 p.m. (2 p.m. ET), simultaneously with the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.
- Parade: The streets of Mount Morris are lined with spectators for the Let Freedom Ring parade.
- Fireworks: Spectacular fireworks display in the evening.
- Food and Fun: Numerous food vendors, craft vendors, and activities for all ages, including bounce houses, a classic car show, and a silent auction.
Rockford 4th of July Parade
Afterward, we drove out to Rockford to see their parade.
Wednesday, 5 July
We took off in the morning and headed toward Springfield, IL.