Peter and Courtney Visit Oxford, Mississippi

Name: Courtney May

Date: April 24^th-April 28^th

Destination: Oxford, MI

Latitude: 34.3664° N

Longitude: 89.5192° W

Round Trip Miles: 610.16 miles

     Peter and I left Carbondale on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, to travel home to Carterville, IL. On Friday we packed our things for our weekend excursion to Oxford, Mississippi. We planned to leave early Saturday morning around 5: 00 AM to make it to the Double Decker Arts Festival. However, we spontaneously left around 10:30 PM on Friday night. The journey was long with nothing but black for miles. Peter and I snuggled up with a blanket and let Justin drive. Around 3:45 AM we pulled into Oxford, Mississippi. Peter was so excited his tail practically wiggled out of the truck. We found rest at our friend Stephen’s house and called it a night. The next morning around 9:00 AM, Peter and I woke up ready for the Arts Festival. On our way, we enjoyed the sights in Oxford. We drove by the college, The University of Mississippi. When Ole Miss was chartered on February 24, 1844, the Mississippi Legislature laid the foundation for public higher education in the state. The university opened its doors to 80 students four years later, and for 23 years was Mississippi's only public institution of higher learning. For 110 years, it was the state's only comprehensive university. The Double Decker Art Festival showcased various businesses. Vendors were set up along the town square selling art and food. Some sold jewelry, vases, frames, birdhouses, woodwork, pottery, chairs, clothing, etc. Peter and I were sure to get a picture next to our favorite vendor. They were selling string art. After exploring the vendors, Peter and I ate at Papitos Mexican Grill. After dinner we went home to relax and call it a night. The next morning, Sunday, Peter and I left Oxford, Mississippi and headed back to Southern Illinois. Peter and I traveled a total of 610.16 miles.  

 

Toni and Peter Go Here and There and Everywhere!

Name: Toni Montgomery
Date: April 12-14, 2013
Destination: New Madrid, MO
Latitude: 36.5864° N
Longitude: 89.5278° W
Total Miles:415.3

Peter and I left Southern Illinois University on Friday, April 12 to travel home to Marion, IL. When we got home, Peter and I went to eat at Triple "E" with my family. I ordered the usual grilled cheese, french fries and coke to drink. Peter wasn't hungry so he just watched everyone else eat. After a lively night of hanging out with my family, Peter and I decided it was time to rest up before our journey the following day. On Saturday morning, Peter and I woke up early and went to Zumba, before we headed out on our adventure. Finally, after our morning exercise Peter, Dad, and I loaded up the car and set the roadways a blaze. First stop, Noranda Aluminum in New Madrid, Missouri. Noranda Aluminum is the leading producer of value-added primary aluminum products and rolled aluminum coils.Noranda Aluminum is the leading source of jobs for the Bootheel.

  

After leaving Noranda Aluminum, Peter, Dad, and I headed South towards Wardell, MO. Wardell is the definition of small town  USA, with a population of only 427. In the late 1950's and early 1960's my family owned the local cotton gin, which is known today as Peach Orchard Gin. Dad took Peter and I to the gin to reflect upon the memories made and lessons learned during his cotton picking days.

 Peter, Dad, and I drove over the river and through the woods, literally, to stay at grandmas house that night. On Sunday morning, we got up early to head to Murray State University from the Bootheel of Missouri. This scenic drive took us through the back woods of Tennessee and the blue grasses of Kentucky. That day the Murray State Breds Baseball team was scheduled to play the Jacksonville Gamecocks. Peter, Dad, and I cheered on our favorite MSU Bred, #14! Peter was an excellent cheerleader, but all that cheering made him thirsty so Dad had to buy Peter and I a Mountain Dew to share. Peter must have been the good luck charm the Breds needed, cause they took the win for the series beating the Gamecocks 10 to 7, that Sunday. 

After an exciting weekend, Peter and I returned home to return to Southern Illinois University bright and early Monday morning. Peter, Dad, and I had a great time traveling throughout the region. Peter hardly ever had to stop for restroom breaks, and was a good companion during the long hours spent on the road. However, Peter almost got left at a gas station after finding out he enjoyed dads radio choices. Dad and Peter listened to old country music and sang off beat, as I secretly changed the stations. This back and forth struggle went on for the entire 415.3 mile road trip.

Jonathon Went To The Cook House!

Name: Nicole Schwartz

Date: April 19^th-April 23^rd

Destination: Wauconda, IL

Latitude: 41.789792 °N

Longitude: -87.596007 °W

Round Trip Miles:  786 miles

Total Miles: 1,165 miles

On April 19^th, I picked up Jonathon Edwards from Wham.  I met my friend, Brad, at Arnold’s Market to get sodas for the road.  From Arnold’s we made a straight shot to Arlington Heights.  The next day (April 20^th), we drove to Wauconda so I can meet Brad’s mother.  After meeting and talking to his mother for a while, we drove to his dad’s (Steve) house.  We saw how the flooding affected this area while we were on our way to Steve’s to have dinner. We drove back to Arlington Heights for the night.  The next morning, we went shopping at Woodfield Mall.  We went from the mall to Brad’s mother’s home.  We all went to Bulldog’s Grill for Brad’s birthday lunch.  After enjoying some amazing cheeseburgers, we dropped off his mother and went a friend’s house to listen to some new music.  After listening to some new songs, we went back to Arlington Heights.  After relaxing a bit, I took Jonathon and my friend out for dinner at TGI Fridays.  After dinner, we went back for the night.  On Sunday morning, we drove back to Brad’s dad’s house for breakfast.  After devouring a delicious omelet, French toast, and bacon, we said good-bye to the family and went back to Brad’s mother’s home.  We said bye to his mother and drove to the Cook house.  We learned that before this brick home, there was a log cabin.  This home was the first non-log cabin in the area.  It was built in 1850.  The first town meeting was held in this house.  The home is open to tours for no admission fee!  After visiting the Cook house, we drove back to Centralia to see my mother and grandmother.  After visiting my family, Jonathon, Brad, and I drove back to our apartment complex on East Grand.  I returned Jonathon to Wham on April 23^rd at 11am.  We all had a wonderful time!

Name: Michelle Ginsberg

Date: April 23rd 2013

Destination: Giant City State Park

Latitude: 37.59785

Longitude: 89.19635

Round Trip: 24 miles

Total Miles: 4,325.1 miles

William and I took a trip with friends to Giant City State Park in Makanda, Illinois! This was my very first trip to explore the Giant City State Park. I have never been hiking before, so this was my first hiking trip ever. Friends and William made it a lot of fun! The coordinates for this area are Latitude – 37.59785 and Longitude – 89.19635 and it is 11.94 miles away from the Wham building. In total it took about 24 miles to get there and back.
The park itself is over 4,000 acres and is perfect for recreational activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, rock climbing, and much more. Being in the nature was extremely relaxing and beautiful!- And I am not an outdoors person!
It was interesting to find out that Giant City Lodge, located in the heart of the park, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's. It is made out of multihued sandstone and white oak timber. Inside the lodge they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. They also have private rooms for any partys or events you want to throw! 

Jillian, Gabby, and Ben Visit Garden of the Gods

Name: Jillian Lambert
Date: March 30, 2013
Destination: Garden of the Gods (Herod, IL)
Latitude: 37.6069 N
Longitude: 88.3947 W
Total Miles: 123.4 miles


Ben and I left Carbondale on Friday, March 29 to travel home to Harrisburg, IL.  When we got home, we had lunch at my Mama's.  She fixed chicken and dumplins because she knows that's my favorite.  After a lengthy nap, we went home to visit with my mom and little brother.  On Saturday morning, we took off on a road trip to the Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest.  It was a cloudy day, but the weather was perfect for hiking.  Below is a picture of Ben and I, with our favorite puppy, Gabby, at the entrance of the trails.

The Garden of the Gods is a 3,300 acre forest that covers areas of Saline, Hardin, and Pope counties.  Garden of the Gods was formed over 320 million years ago when wind and rain eroded large areas of sedimentary rock.  As this was a natural occurrence, the rocky, mountainous area of the Shawnee National Forest was named Garden of the Gods.  Campers and hikers from all over the world come to Garden of the Gods to visit its natural beauty.  As a frequent visitor, I would recommend visiting this area in the fall, to access all it has to offer.   Not only a historical and camping site, this area is home to many unique plants and wildlife.  During the fall season, the autumn leaves will begin to fall and create the most amazing colors and scenery.

Below, Ben and I had to take a break from hiking to catch our breaths.

After a great day of hiking, Ben and I spent the rest of the weekend hunting Easter eggs, attending mass, and visiting with relatives.  We drove back to my apartment on Sunday night, with a total of 123.4 miles on our odometer.