Decided at Morris to take the back way from Pine Bluff Road and Route 47. Wound along back roads, some of them dirt, along south bluffs of the Illinois.

Good call. Set the tone for a rambling trip.

Seneca, stay wild and stay south, back side of LaSalle Lake, through Marseilles SFWA.

More back roads, then Route 23 into Ottawa and the first kiosk in a park in downtown at Lafayette and LaSalle, just north of a great Lincoln mural.

Route 71 west. As I entered the ess curves on the east end of Starved Rock State Park, a bald eagle came low over the car.

Called my wife to let her know passing by Starved Rock, where we were married.

Cross Vermilion River, after miles, finally reach Hennepin and took Route 26 a couple south to one of my favorite spots Sue and Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge at Hennepin & Hopper Lakes.

Ate chili, did work on posting and downloaded first photos

Meeting Eric Schenck from Ducks Unlimited in Lacon soon.

Good start.

The wind howling on the tower made the chili taste better.