|
|
Post by Zenrider on Nov 2, 2023 3:50:06 GMT
For those moments and trips that might not fit anywhere else. Doesn't have to be a long vacation/holiday, but definitely those fit here. Of course, if you prefer any of the other thread or your own, that's OK too.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenrider on Nov 2, 2023 3:56:00 GMT
OK, I'm going to start with a lot, as it was two separate vacations/holiday. Much as most of those were spent at home, I also decided to check out some of the ancient sites in Illinois that most of us never bother to visit. I still have one left. It's the closest to home and due to other commitments, just didn't quite get to it in the two quick excursions I made. Of course, Native American history is everywhere in the USA, but some areas have more special significance. Much like stone circles and neolithic burial chambers may in other parts of the world. I'm only going to lightly touch on the places I went and have shrunk the file size of the pictures, so as no to obliterate the Pub's allowance.  Here's where I started in early September. Gramercy Park. Which not much is left of the mounds in the area, as most were looted and flattened for farming, housing and stuff, before someone thought, maybe we should preserve some of these. |
|
|
|
Post by Zenrider on Nov 2, 2023 4:05:28 GMT
Albany Mounds. As with the previous area, the people that lived along my route were Mississippian peoples. Largely known as the Hopewell people. Besides the mounds that seem to be the most common connection of the Hopewell/Mississippian peoples, many of them were the first to grow and harvest crops such as corn/maize. Which is why I couldn't resist a picture of the corn still being grown there. It was nice to see it was regular corn and not the monstrous modern corn that is more commonly seen today. |
|
|
|
Post by Zenrider on Nov 2, 2023 4:34:16 GMT
The next stop was the Watch Tower Hotel/Lodge It houses The Hauberg Museum. Where you can learn about the Sauk and Meskwaki people. There is also a side exhibit about the Civilian Conservation Corps, which was a depression era program to provide some jobs for WWI veterans that needed them. They built most of the current Lodge (the original one burned down), planted trees and created trails in the area. I'm thinking, it also helped many of them heal from the war they returned from. Side note, basically the flume amusement park ride was invented there. It was called Shoot the Chutes. Instead of a complete water ride, you rode down greased rails and ended up in the river below. Ah, the days with fewer lawyers. drloihjournal.blogspot.com/2019/12/watchtower-amusement-park-rock-island-illinois.html |
|
|
|
Post by Zenrider on Nov 2, 2023 4:56:07 GMT
The start of my more recent trip found me at the Kincaid Mounds, by accident. Wasn't on my original list, but one wrong turn later, 'Hey, that looks interesting. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenrider on Nov 2, 2023 4:58:00 GMT
More to come. |
|
|
|
Post by beef on Nov 2, 2023 14:07:41 GMT
Great thread idea and first posts Zenrider! Now... I just need to go somewhere...
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenrider on Nov 3, 2023 19:42:07 GMT
Great thread idea and first posts Zenrider! Now... I just need to go somewhere... It doesn't have to be anything incredible, far, or even a full blown holiday trip. Something that got someone out of their normal routine. Which, I've fallen into quite a bit. Especially, once I start working again. Now to see if I can finish a weeks worth of projects in a few days. |
|
|
|
Post by beef on Nov 3, 2023 20:57:05 GMT
Great thread idea and first posts Zenrider! Now... I just need to go somewhere... It doesn't have to be anything incredible, far, or even a full blown holiday trip. Something that got someone out of their normal routine. Which, I've fallen into quite a bit. Especially, once I start working again. Now to see if I can finish a weeks worth of projects in a few days. Yes, that's why it's such a great idea Zenrider - small adventures are as great as big adventures... maybe bigger even. |
|
|
|
Post by Zenrider on Nov 4, 2023 1:18:41 GMT
Same day I visited Kincaid Mounds, I visited Millstone Bluff. I forgot to bring my other battery, and so wasn't able to take as many pictures, as I would have liked to. Don't know why I thought it was more charged up than it was.  I managed to coax a few pictures out, but wasn't able to zoom in on the the petroglyphs. Which likely are easier to view before the moss grows thick. It was a beautiful hike and I made it back before it really started to rain. The first picture is what is left of an ancient grave. All of the graves have long since been destroyed or looted, as is the sad way of the world. |
|
|
|
Post by Zenrider on Nov 4, 2023 1:38:20 GMT
The next day I spent time at Piney Creek Ravine, and meandered around and enjoyed the fall foliage on the way. Sadly, the guide I was using had the wrong address, so cost me time I might have been able to spend there. Especially, time it wasn't raining. Or at least wasn't raining as hard. It did find me the next place I'd park my camper for the night, so not a total loss. They aren't kidding when they say it has potentially dangerous trails, but it's a beautiful hike. I'd love to go again when it's not raining. Good thing I wear appropriate clothing, but I could have used a bit more serious hiking boots for the mud. The boots I wear are great, water proof and have multi directional tread, but not the best for some places on this hike. I took care and only sort of went down once, but since the trail was nearly straight up, I don't think it really counted as a fall, as I was still quite upright. I took in some water crossing the creek. Tried to stay on the moss covered stones, but didn't quite make it. 🤣 Only took a little water over the top of my boots. With a somewhat strenuous hike, getting cold feet was not an issue.  |
|
|
|
Post by Zenrider on Nov 4, 2023 1:40:46 GMT
A few more from Piney Creek. Ever since the settlers found it in the 1800's people have added their graffiti, and some of that has destroyed the original petroglyphs. Many are still visible. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by deserttraveller on Nov 6, 2023 22:38:55 GMT
Good idea Zen. In due course I will give you a report on my recent visit to the American Museum in Bath.
|
|
|
|
Post by mikey on Nov 7, 2023 13:05:18 GMT
Love the autumn colours. Seeing the trees changing here in the Forest of Dean, such an amazing time of year and so lucky to experience each year however, I am still a bit jealous of you experiencing east coast America in the fall.
|
|
|
|
Post by Zenrider on Nov 9, 2023 4:26:42 GMT
Love the autumn colours. Seeing the trees changing here in the Forest of Dean, such an amazing time of year and so lucky to experience each year however, I am still a bit jealous of you experiencing east coast America in the fall. Not east coast, Midwest. Illinois to be exact. It is a beautiful time of year, but doesn't last long. Adding a cartoon that pretty well depicts taking pictures in the fall. www.gocomics.com/nonsequitur/2023/10/22 |
|
I managed to coax a few pictures out, but wasn't able to zoom in on the the petroglyphs. Which likely are easier to view before the moss grows thick. It was a beautiful hike and I made it back before it really started to rain. 
