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The Cruise--Details

I didn't include more details in the prior "The Cruise" post for two reasons. 1)  I didn't think anyone would be interested; and 2)  This trip didn't include much of the normal topics:  good beer, good coffee or John-style travel. But there are details, which may be useful to some people contemplating how such a trip is put together. On the first day of the trip, we drove three hours to pick up my mother in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  At 85, she isn't comfortable driving for long distances and hadn't flown for many years. We then drove 3 1/2 more hours to Chicago, where we checked into the Wyndham, where you can get a room that includes the cost of parking for up to 12 days.   We were up early on the hotel shuttle to O'Hare, where we then boarded the a non-stop American Airlines flight to New Orleans. Here, we checked into a Hampton Inn near the port.  My mother was pretty tired, so Julia and I went out for a Cajun dinner and live music.   Rememberi...
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Bo Wood Campground



Our next stop south in Illinois was a Corps of Engineers Campground on Lake Shelbyville. 

COE campgrounds are interesting to me. We are usually the smallest rig in these campgrounds. Bathrooms are exceptionally clean.  Campsites all had concrete pads, 50 amp electrical service, identical fire rings, and a hooked pole for hanging trash. It was almost like the place was run by the military. Wait, it was run by the U.S Army. 



For my friends who enjoy boondocking, this represented the other end of the camping continuum. There wasn’t much hiking here so we enjoyed the lake views, sampled Illinois Amish country, and had some great stuffed pizza at a jaw-dropping low price.




The Stag beer in my hand, a second Stag, two large glasses of wine for Julia, the pizza and generous tip were less than thirty dollars. The pizzeria, Rosariti’s, near Sullivan, shared space with a gas station. Five stars—if ambiance is excluded from the rating. 


Stag was originally a local brew to Illinois. It is now owned by Pabst and has a similar flavor profile—best served very cold.


Comments

Bill said…
You are fortunate to have so many camping options. In the plains states the areas with natural settings are few and far between. Of the ones there are, they are overwhelmed. Brewpubs are also scattered and some aren't even worth the drive. The exception would be metro areas... but, blah on the traffic.
May 31, 2021 at 8:46 AM
John said…
We do feel blessed to have so many camping options. On past years, we could get on just about anywhere midweek without reservations. This summer is going to be different with all of the new campers added to the mix. We are planning our extended trips for the spring and fall and will probably spend much of the summer close to home.

I really enjoy small town brewpubs but I agree that quality can be uneven.
May 31, 2021 at 5:47 PM
MFH said…
A friend once suggested that those with the big rigs didn't REALLY want to leave home.

And, as my millionairess (died of pacreatic cancer in 2006) used to quip, "I consider Holiday Inn to be camping."
May 31, 2021 at 10:56 PM
John said…
There wasn’t much evidence of minimalism at the COE. When I passed through Kentucky two years ago, an old, battered guy stopped me in the grocery store parking lot and asked to see the inside of the Scamp. He stood inside the doorway, looked around, and pronounced, “it’s got everything you need.” I agree.

June 1, 2021 at 9:17 AM
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