August 6: Parade, Cemetery Walk, Reunion

There was a lot going on in Toulon besides the reunion because it was also Old Settlers Days.  The Class of 1961 had a float in the parade.

We went to an interesting talk in Toulon Cemetery before the parade.  This woman told a fascinating story about a terrible train wreck and is holding a piece of the train in her hands.

The reunion dinner was held in the evening and Galen and I provided a bit of the entertainment.

The songs Galen sang were a huge hit and several people told me how surprised they were that he would be such a good showman because he was so quiet and shy in high school.  I didn't graduate from Toulon High School, but really enjoy Galen's class.  They are a great group of folks.

August 1-2: Sheldon, IL

Crys trying out my trike.

Sonny's turn.

We parked our RV in Sonny and Crystal's front yard for the night and the next morning we had our first but not our last experience with amazing omelets.  They were amazing and delicious.

After polishing off our omelets we went and found a few geocaches, including one at a seriously haunted house!  It was hot out so we stopped for ice cream and then went back and had a fish fry!  We didn't think we could eat again so soon, but it turns out we were way wrong.  Everything was so good:  Onion rings, home made potato chips, zucchini, and fish caught and cleaned by Sonny.  In addition to all this, they sent us home with luscious blackberry jam and veggies from Sonny's garden.  I didn't get any photos but we had 1.5 games of Mexican train so I we'll have to go back one day and finish up that half a game.  

May 22 - Ferne Cliff SP

Jen and Simon heading for their campsite in Ferne Clyff National Park.  Galen and I picked up salads for all and met them in the park for a late lunch.  We returned to Marion about 6:30, hitched up and went to Chester, IL.

Popeye and his friends are everywhere in Chester thanks mainly to the couple who after years of living somewhere else and saving Popeye memorabilia opened a store in Chester.  People told them they'd never make it but they have and have done wonders for this town.  There are statues all over town and more on the way.  There is a Popeye picnic in the fall and thousands of folks come from miles away.  Even people from other countries love Popeye and he is everywhere in Chester, even on the mayor's business cards.  How much nicer to think of Popeye when you think of Chester instead of thinking of John Wayne Gacy who was imprisoned at Menard Prison in Chester for years before being put to death by legal injection.  Gacy, the Killer Clown, murdered about 30 young boys.

May 19 - Geocaching

We took KD on her first geocaching expedition.  There wasn't a geocache here, but I photographed this Catholic Church on the way to or from a cache because it was so unique.

One of the caches was near this little chapel in a cemetery.  A man came by, said we looked like visitors and opened it for us.  It was beautiful inside.  They have to keep it locked because of vandals.

 

It cost $27,000 to repair this one window after a vandal tried to destroy it.

March 18 - The Cave

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This cave has a long, infamous history.  It was once a hideout for murderous pirates on the Ohio River, but today is a state park.  Jen and Ken are staying in the campground at Cave In Rock State Park tonight.

Jen, Ken, and Simon inside the cave.  The light on the floor comes from a split in the rock.

April 18 - Cave in Rock State Park

We decided to surprise Jen and Ken and drive to Cave In Rock State Park to meet them and kidnapped KD and took her with us.  We waited at the ferry for them and then decided to cross the river into Kentucky.  It didn't take long to find them pedaling toward the ferry.

We stopped at at Amish store called Yoders.  These four bikers from Ontario saw Jen and Ken's trikes  and stopped for a visit.

KD at Yoders.  She was happy to see Jen again for the first time in years and to meet Ken and Simon.

Jen and Ken and Simon waiting in Kentucky for the ferry across the Ohio River.

Coming off the ferry into Illinois.

May 16 - Marion First UMC

This is the wonderful church we attended this morning.  Everything about the service was uplifting, the music was energetic instead of dragging, the people were warm and welcoming.  I've been reading a book about how believing in a benevolent and loving God physically changes your brain for the better and how believing in a vindictive God hurts you.  The minister gave a sermon about a guy who could have gotten off on a technicality but stood up and said he did it and was prepared to take his punishment.  The judge put him on probation for 10 years and as the law breaker walked out of the courtroom everyone began singing, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow..."

Stuffed animals sat in most pews. 

I liked this cross made of crosses that hung on the back wall of the sanctuary.