I’ll begin this blog with a campfire picture Tom took of the Silvermine that I forgot to post on my last blog! Tom spent a good part of the winter planning this trip – all the way to California via Colorado and back home through the Southwest National Parks. His final blueprint was nine weeks of complete routes and sightseeing highlights, and scheduling of many reservations. Next came the Pandemic and the Quarantine, and the anxious waiting to see if travel would open up. Finally, less than one week till lift-off, Tom sat down with a heavy heart to cancel reservations and redo the complete itinerary for a shorter 4-week trip. This trip has a far-west destination and one-week stay at Rocky Mountains National Park, a week in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and a swing around Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the way home. This called for all new route-planning and last-minute reservations; luck was with Tom as he made all the plans and reservations for a vacation bypassing some of the lingering Covid hot spots around the nation. Monday, June 15, 2020 Out of the driveway at 7:45 with only 260 miles to Starved Rock . . . vacation has officially begun! This should have been a six-Airstream/three-day caravan that left from our house traveling to the International Airstream Rally in Loveland, Colorado. That rally, and therefore the caravan, was canceled! I am very much missing John and Suzie, Terry and Sue, Randy and Carol, Gary and Tom, and Mark and Sharlene – who were planning to join us. FYI for those that couldn’t come: the sky was blue, the traffic light, and the temperature around 74 degrees! We gained an hour during the drive, and by 1:00 we were set up in the campground, and headed right out to explore. Several years ago we had booked two nights at the Lodge over New Years Eve/Day and we always remember the beautiful setting of the large open lodge sitting room with massive fireplace, the formal dining room, the cozy bar, and our very charming, rustic room. We were glad to see the lodge open for business, requesting masks, although all meals were being served on the outdoor patio. We walked the area around the lodge, and then headed for the lower parking lot where a trail walked out to overlook Starved Rock. Some of the trail was a mild incline, and some of it was boardwalk stair-steps with look-out viewpoints along the way. It was surprisingly crowded, prompting us to don the masks – as did quite a few people. Tom made the decision that supper would be at the lodge on the open-air terrace. It was not overly busy, and we found a nice table and settled in. We both had the Walleye and it was absolutely the best fish either of us had ever eaten. Two whale-sized fillets each with an incredible crispy breading – each of us brought home a fillet for sandwiches later.
Already, in our minds, we are planning a winter return trip to Starved Rock!
1 Comment
Mike
6/17/2020 05:32:19 am
And the adventure begins. Enjoy
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October 2021
We don’t go camping any more . . . we go ‘streamin’ ! The “SIlvermine and His” is our 2018 25' Airstream Serenity with Salsa interior and front twin beds., and ‘streamin’ is the name we use to describe our adventures. Stream along as we document everything from weekend trips to longer summer excursions and full-blown vacations. You know what they say: if you’re not in an Airstream – you’re just camping!
Tom & Ella Brown |