Fall 2022---Part 2
In the Shawnee National Forest of Southern Illinois
Mostly done on my Honda CT125 -------or some call it a "Hunter Cub"

 

After getting home from the riding we did in Kentucky and Tennesee ----after a few
days I loaded my Honda CT125 in my camper van and headed for the Shawnee National Forest
In Southern Illinois. First I camped at Kaskaskia state park near Chester Illinois.
Pictures and a video of this starts below---I first went to tower rock on the Missouri side
of the Mississippi river as the river was super low and the rock is something to see.
I always imagine when looking at this rock of Lewis and Clark going by and maybe
stopping here.

 

 

Just a couple miles up river from Tower Rock is this little place on the river.
That's an old power plant on the other side.

 

 

 

 

I used to ride fast and had a lot fun doing it over the years-------now I can get bored doing that.

 

 

Video----I ran out of gas this day.

spacer

 

Back on the Illinois side I went to the Modoc ferry and saw this dredge working the river.
The ferry was shut down because of the low water level.
The ferry would take you across to St. Genevieve, Missouri.

 

 

Peak Fall Colors were going on.

 

My buddy Jay Grafton came down the next day and brought his CT125--and of course we rode.
Wanna race???? Nah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An old neat bridge is just at the bottom of this hill----right off a levee.

 

 

 

 

Right where Jay is at--------a long time a go the water was over the top of the front wheel of my KLR.
You can't kill a KLR.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We rode stuff like this the whole time.

 

 

 

 

I picked up this cornstalk and it rode with me the rest of the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jay had never been to Raddle, Illinois so I took him there-----they have a big blue
grass festival here every year.
Population 6

 

 

 

 

Tummys were rumbling and we had lunch at the "Bottoms Up Bar And Grill".
The shade tree seems to be always full of hogs. I used to park my hog here.
Now I park my "Cub" here.

Video

spacer

 

So the next day I move to "Devils Backbone Campground" in Grand Tower, Illinois and ride out of there.
You can see Tower Rock in the distance.

 

 

 

I ride up on "Bluff Top" for a scenic view of the Mississippi river.

 

 

On Route 3 just North of Grand Tower I pass by a cool spot with a spring---many people fill their water jugs up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government Rock

 

 

Woops---------that's the almost dried up BigMuddy river in the background.
This sport is called Rattlesnake ferry.

 

 

Can I pick up my CT125 ????? Yes I can.

Video Part 1

spacer

 

Video Part 2
Me and the CT hit the ground !!!!

spacer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So---------back home I go to breakfast with all my old riding buddies.
We all usually ride our bikes there--------and we often go for a ride.
Almost always Jay leads----but today I did as 2 of my buddies had never been to where we were going.
Where??? To something really cool.
I usually don't ride my really big 390 KTM----I like riding small bikes mostly --------but off we went.
I'd try to keep it under a hundred.
My riding friends were Mark Beckman (WR250R), Ron Deforest (Honda CB500X), and Jay Grafton
(Honda 250 Rally)

 

 

 

Actually I ride pretty slow------never over 55 and try to stay on roads that have 55 mph speed
limits--------or preferably less. You see stuff like this.
I tried to kick this pipe wrench off the nut holding the ball on.
Couldn't do it--and made us wonder how long it had to have been there--it was so funny.
It was all pretty rusty looking.

 

 

 

 

The ride to St. Francisville, Illinois was pretty un-eventful.
But it was there we'd cross the Wabash river into Indiana on an old railroad bridge---a
very unusual railroad bridge. But--before we got to the railroad bridge we passed an old wooden
bridge that went over the old railroad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It seems like a mile to get totally across the river.
The bridge was started in 1897 but wasn't completed until 1924 due to a lack of funds.
There were 17 sections to be completed and they did it when they could afford to.
To an in-experienced rider this bridge will freak you out as your bike wobbles all the way across.
To and old dirt biker-------just fun.

 

 

 

 

Here is my buddy Ron Deforest going across on the Honda CB500X I sold him.
The bridge has had several owners after train traffic was shut down. I think a farmer owned it first.
Now the city of St. Francisville owns it and anybody can drive across it now after paying a small toll.
Of course the first trains were steam---and the middle section swung open for barge traffic back in the day.
It no longer swings------I love riding across this thing. I wish I had took more pictures of it.
You have to yield to oncoming traffic.

 

 

Out tummies were growling---and we rode to New Harmony Indiana for gas and to eat.

 

 

 

And it was here at the Main Street cafe that something really unusual happened.
We had just finished eating and the place had closed when to ladies came to our table and started
singing---------while acting out the song. They were so good and the whole place cracked up as these
2 rounded our table more than once.
It just flat made our day and I knew it was something I'd never forget.
What a great time topped off with this serenade.
We had such a good time--the weather was perfect--the fall colors were trying to hang on.
And I appreciated my good friends---not all of our gang showed up--but I wish they had.

This video isn't very long--------but the serenade is on here and it's hard not to smile watching it.
Or just laughing out loud.

Video

spacer

Video 11-10-2022
Maybe the last warm day of the year to ride in 2022
Oh I'll be riding all winter--but it won't be this warm probably.

spacer