After a rainy stormy night, some of the cars had a couple inches of water on the floor boards. Mid year Corvettes are known for leaking. Ours was covered so no problem, unlike our Route 66 trip in Joplin, Missouri where we had 4 ” of rain one night and 2″ on the floor in the morning. Jim spent a lot of time over the last few years perfecting leak proofing.
Today will be much nicer with peeks of sun this afternoon and temps in the 70’s once again. The trees are starting to change clear down here in Alton, IL, the little towns have their streets decorated with pumpkins and corn stalks. There are many more brick houses down this way but most of the time it looks much like southern Minnesota with the farms growing corn and soybeans.
Our journey today will take us 143 miles down river ending in Cape Girardeau, MO.
Stopping at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, IL, the Weirs Parts Center, the major distributor of GM Performance Parts in Red Bud, IL, Fort de Chartres State Park in Prairie du Rocher, IL, we’ll be crossing to the west side of the river on the Moduc Ferry and whatever else might come along. I’ll post pics as we go so stay tuned.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic site.
Putting together artifacts.
Items found during the archealogical digs.
The gang comparing notes.
Cahokia is the largest mound system in the America. They were people of 1000 years ago called Mississippians. They prevailed for several hundred years numbering around 20,000, they were primarily into agriculture. They built their civilization over a 3 year period, their decline started in the late 13th century, no one seems to know why they disappeared but they left behind many artifacts. Sounds like the ancient Aztecs. The mounds held the Temples for their leaders.
Next stop Red Bud, IL where we were given a tour of the Weir Parts Center, one of the top 10 in the US. They carry 62,000 part numbers including new and high performance engines. This was a good stop for the guys and it was hard pulling them away. Owner Norm is expanding his business and we want to wish him luck. Much to our surprise we were treated to a wonderful picnic lunch featuring pulled pork, salads and cookies. Thanks Norm and all the Weir Parts guys Brian, Chris and the rest.
2011 Corvette
Checking out various engines.
Doug, Jeff, Mary Carol, Roy, Jerry, Gerry and Bob.
My new Camaro, how do I look?
Our cars at the Weirs Parts Center.
Engines stacked up, they claim to turn their inventory every 3 months.
Lunch at the park with the Weirs Parts guys. Sorry, caught everyone with their mouths full.
Some of the guys.
We are starting to pass through more flood gates below and we’re seeing more levees. Lots of flooding this year due to heavy rains north, this part of the river has both the Illinois and Missouri rivers added to the Mississippi.
Fort de Chartres historic site 1753-1772, started out as a French fort and ceded to the British after the Paris treaty in 1763. In 1772 it was abandoned and destroyed. The state of Illinois purchased the land in 1915 making it a state park. They have since been restoring it to its original design.
Flood gates along the Great River Road in Illinois.
French fort.
Penny, Paul, Mary, Denny, Cindy, Lisa and Kathy heading to the fort.
In Moduc, IL we took the ferry across the river into Missouri. The Ferry holds 9 cars, we’re up to 11 cars now so 2 trips were needed. I should explain the yellow duckies, at the start of our trip Roy and Doug thought it would be a good idea to decorate our own little ducks and somewhere along the river throw them in, maybe we’ll see them again at the end of the trip. So, from the deck of the Moduc Ferry we tossed them into the river.
John standing by his car.
My duck and Jim’s duck. Jim has hair on his duck.
There they go, see you in New Orleans.
