Weather permitting, on May 2, @71Polara383, @sixpkrt, @BLIMP and I will take some of our C-bodies for a 3-hour drive (give or take 15 minutes) from Starved Rock State Park in Peru, IL to Peoria, IL and back. We will drive mostly a scenic loop on state routes 26 and 29, along the Illinois River.
In order to keep this event sufficiently spaced, time-wise, from Tim's 5th C-body Midwest Show in June, our plan is for this cruise to be held on the first weekend of May before Mother's Day (precisely, on May 2), with a rainy day backup date for the weekend after Mother's Day (on May 16).
We'll meet at 11AM that Sunday on the parking lot of the SRSP Visitor Center in Oglesby (just east of Peru, IL). From there, we'll take first IL-71 west and then IL-26 south to drive down to the Burger Barge in East Peoria for a bite near the river around 1PM. That restaurant has parking and outside seating (my preference in general but especially important due to Covid), is well rated, and seems to be reasonably priced. An alternative would be one of the two eateries at the Peoria Station, but they are more expensive and for this reason were not my first choice.
After lunch, we'll cross the river and drive our cars back north, using IL-29 to return for an afternoon drink in Peru at the Riverfront Bar and Grill. Here is the map of the planned route (2.45 hours driving + individual time for each person to get to the starting point at the Starved Rock Park):
Before heading north, assuming the drivers all have the time and desire for it, I'd like to make a detour to the Wildlife Prairie Park in Hanna City, ten miles west of Peoria, in order to see the famous prairie in May. That detour should take an extra 45' or so (in total, including driving and sightseeing -- very good for digesting burgers
). Here is the longer-road map:
Regardless of whether we go to the WPP, soon after we get onto IL-29, we should take a small detour through Grand View Drive in Peoria. It is 1.25 miles each way and said to be really beautiful.
There is no through-way back from the GVD to IL-29, so we'll turn around at the GVD Lookout and then head back toward Peru.
What say you, FCBO members? I am thinking of Illinois residents, but am of course not limiting myself and hope that otherswill join from neighboring states -- hint hint, @david hill @70 Sport Suburban @Don Stolfi @traintech55 -- or even from further afar, like @LocuMob.
PS: folks who cannot make it to the whole event can join at the planned stops in Oglesby (around 11AM), Peoria (around 1PM), and Peru (around 3:15PM). That approach worked well at the 2019 and 2020 CATL Drives, allowing more members to participate.
@Xenon @70NEWYORKER @metaldad @tallhair @swartzed @MarPar @Wonderwagon @furious70 @Cbodies69-73 @Billy Bats
@Georges77 @SGVert @Sport Fury 67 @Chopperbob1 @drh4683 @Biggie @Asleep at the Meal @sgtmac1 @300E @Air Force Polara @furyusvip @Grizzly's Garage @B to C @Popslavaz @Brian Parrino @70 Droptop @Ed Wagner @Skins69 @BUBBAZ488 @IAG @william @Dan Wolf @Jdlov @gkellm @plum360415 (apologies to the Illinois members whom I am forgetting, and to folks from neighboring states and further away whom I am not listing but who I hope will make it too).
In order to keep this event sufficiently spaced, time-wise, from Tim's 5th C-body Midwest Show in June, our plan is for this cruise to be held on the first weekend of May before Mother's Day (precisely, on May 2), with a rainy day backup date for the weekend after Mother's Day (on May 16).
We'll meet at 11AM that Sunday on the parking lot of the SRSP Visitor Center in Oglesby (just east of Peru, IL). From there, we'll take first IL-71 west and then IL-26 south to drive down to the Burger Barge in East Peoria for a bite near the river around 1PM. That restaurant has parking and outside seating (my preference in general but especially important due to Covid), is well rated, and seems to be reasonably priced. An alternative would be one of the two eateries at the Peoria Station, but they are more expensive and for this reason were not my first choice.
After lunch, we'll cross the river and drive our cars back north, using IL-29 to return for an afternoon drink in Peru at the Riverfront Bar and Grill. Here is the map of the planned route (2.45 hours driving + individual time for each person to get to the starting point at the Starved Rock Park):
Before heading north, assuming the drivers all have the time and desire for it, I'd like to make a detour to the Wildlife Prairie Park in Hanna City, ten miles west of Peoria, in order to see the famous prairie in May. That detour should take an extra 45' or so (in total, including driving and sightseeing -- very good for digesting burgers
). Here is the longer-road map:Regardless of whether we go to the WPP, soon after we get onto IL-29, we should take a small detour through Grand View Drive in Peoria. It is 1.25 miles each way and said to be really beautiful.
There is no through-way back from the GVD to IL-29, so we'll turn around at the GVD Lookout and then head back toward Peru.
What say you, FCBO members? I am thinking of Illinois residents, but am of course not limiting myself and hope that otherswill join from neighboring states -- hint hint, @david hill @70 Sport Suburban @Don Stolfi @traintech55 -- or even from further afar, like @LocuMob.
PS: folks who cannot make it to the whole event can join at the planned stops in Oglesby (around 11AM), Peoria (around 1PM), and Peru (around 3:15PM). That approach worked well at the 2019 and 2020 CATL Drives, allowing more members to participate.
@Xenon @70NEWYORKER @metaldad @tallhair @swartzed @MarPar @Wonderwagon @furious70 @Cbodies69-73 @Billy Bats
@Georges77 @SGVert @Sport Fury 67 @Chopperbob1 @drh4683 @Biggie @Asleep at the Meal @sgtmac1 @300E @Air Force Polara @furyusvip @Grizzly's Garage @B to C @Popslavaz @Brian Parrino @70 Droptop @Ed Wagner @Skins69 @BUBBAZ488 @IAG @william @Dan Wolf @Jdlov @gkellm @plum360415 (apologies to the Illinois members whom I am forgetting, and to folks from neighboring states and further away whom I am not listing but who I hope will make it too).
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