Jordan & Levi: Making Our Way Through a Small Town

As we made our way out of Wham, we began driving down old country roads southeast of Carbondale where we reached a small town just below the I-57 and I-24 intersections. Levi made a stop through the small town of Goreville, Illinois where he became very interested in Ferne Clyffe State Park. This park had a peaceful lake full of ducks, beautiful waterfalls, and all of the excited children who were out playing on the campgrounds. While we were walking down one of the trails to a very popular waterfall, we came across a sign (pictured above). The land was actually owned by Emma Rebman and before she passed away, she deeded the land over to the state as long as it was left in its natural environment for everyone to enjoy. Levi was upset to not be able to see her house that one stood in a small open field. Once we made our way to the waterfall, Levi and his new dog friend, Maggie, played and jumped around in the cold water coming down from the large rocks. Outside of the state park, we also noticed a historical marker sign (pictured above). We thought we would check it out. It was one of the campsites to George Rogers Clark back in 1778 (he was one of the first to document traveling through the land that is now known as Ferne Clyffe State Park).

Miles Traveled (to and from): 54.92 miles
Total Miles Traveled: 3611.36 miles
Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 37.53177, -88.98555

Justin and Levi Take a Trip

Levi and I decided to go to one of the locations of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. The location we chose to visit was in Jonesboro, Il at the Jonesboro Square. Levi enjoyed visiting the location and learned a lot about the debates by reading the information boards on the square.

Levi enjoys Thanksgiving break with the Plemons

Levi had a busy week! His main goal was to get to the Cache River Wetlands Center, but he made a few extra stops along the way. Levi traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to see a Switchfoot concert at the Exit In (latitude 36.151369, longitude -86.804564). He hid in Becky's purse because it was a little too loud for him. Levi also enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with the Plemon family and ate too much turkey. Levi finally made it to his main destination, the Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center in Cypress, IL (latitude 37.3164741, longitude -89.0213321). The Wetlands Center was completed in November of 2004 and is a educational center designed to foster appreciation of the local natural resources of the Cache River. The goal of the creation of the center is to help visitors interpret the unique natural and cultural history of the Cache River wetlands. Levi had a great time at the wetlands center, viewing local wildlife and walking on the trail. There is also a bike trail that starts at the center. Levi looked for the bald eagle that is said to nest in a nearby tree, but he couldn't spot it that day. On the way home, we stopped at the grave of King Neptune the pig, a local pig who helped raise 19 million dollars for for the war effort during World War two. His story is very interesting, you should look it up online. All in all, Levi traveled 460.4 miles, making his grand total 3556.44 miles.

Levi better catsup and go through the bridge!

Levi had a very exciting weekend. He started his weekend with my son and I on Oct 31, 2009 by visiting one of the oldest still standing covered bridge in Chester Ill. It sits over Mary's River and the Latitude was 37.94446824801066 and the Longitude is -89.7672271728515. We then hurried home so Levi and Derek could change into their costumes and go trick or treating.Levi was a mummy and Derek was a Power Ranger. They did a wonderful job and got lots of candy. I had to stop Derek and Levi from eating to much of it, I did not want them to get belly aches (they were not very happy thought). We then got a good nights rest because the next day we had to travel all the way to Caseyville Ill where we went to the Catsup Bottle. The Latitude of it is 38.6618148222726 and the Longitude is -89.983027774789. We all then went to a wedding where Derek and Levi danced their tails off. They were showing off some awesome moves. Levi and Derek did not want to leave the wedding (even though everyone else was leaving). They both fell fast asleep together in the car on the way home. Derek was sad that Levi had to go back home to the WHAM building. They were both hoping to see each other again soon. I do have to say that Derek and Levi wore me out that weekend, but they had lots of fun. Levi's total trip that weekend was 200.4 miles round trip. This makes Levi's total miles traveled being 3096.04.

Brandon and Levi go to the Bell Tower

Levi and I took off from Wham and started on our trip to Mahomet Illinois. We started our drive on route 13 all the way to 57 north. After we reached Champaign we got off on 74 west until we got to Mahomet. Once we got to Mahomet we drove to the Bell Tower at Lake of the Woods. The round trip took 412.58 miles from Wham to the Bell Tower and back. After me and Levi took our picture outside of the Bell Tower we walked up six stories to the top. The Bell Tower was built in 1963 and is over 100 feet height.The tower was named after the founder of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District, H.I. Gelvin. Gelvin was on the Board of Commissioners from 1948 to 1975. The latitude of our location was 40.2064217, while our the longitude was -88.3686663. Levi has now traveled a total of 2895.64 miles.

Robbie and Levi and the Great Debate

I took Levi to the Lincoln Douglas Memorial in Jonesboro, IL. The round trip took 52 miles to complete. The latitude was 37.456328 and the longitude is -89.268401. Levi liked learning about the debate and was surprised that it had taken place so close to home. The Lincoln and Douglas Debate had taken place at seven different places in IL during the 1858 campaign for the US Senate seat. Lincoln was not well known at the time and Douglas was the incumbant for the Senate seat. Levi said "even though Lincoln did not win this debate this is the first time Lincoln stated that the US could not survive as half-slave and half-free states". Levi had a wonderful time and he could not believe how short Douglas really was. Levi has traveled a total of 2483.06 miles.

Levi & Doug are off to the races!

Levi traveled 646 miles round-trip from Wham to Lexington, Kentucky. Lexington is located at 38.03 Latitude and -84.44 Longitude. We arrived in Lexington and toured many of the nation's oldest horse farms. Levi was stunned at the beauty of the countryside and took in all that the bluegrass had to offer. I took Levi to Keeneland race track where we watched some of the country's finest horses take to the track. Levi spoke of his great grandfather who was one of the fastest greyhounds in history and how he wished that he could have made this trip. Levi bragged that he too was fast and could keep up with the horses on the track, but alas his hopes were dashed when all the jockeys were too big. Levi's trip to Lexington brought his total miles traveled to 2431.06.