Illinois Back Road Trail

[kimzx1000r]

After leaving Horseshoe Lake we headed down to Cairo, Il. to see the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi. Cairo was in a sad state of affairs. This is a town that looked to be better off if the flooding had washed it into the Mississippi. While on the levee we found where they had blown it up to relieve the flooding last year. The boys working there were nice enough to let us pass and continue on our way (even though the road was blocked and closed) (we had dirt bikes how closed could it be) although the guy in the excavator was not happy about having to wait for us. And the GS I was riding was a hand full in the muddy mess he created. I pictured that if I fell he would probably take the bucket and just push me under the mud and out of sight! We made it to Fort Defiance at the confluence. one bridge to the left to Missouri and one bridge to the right to Kentucky. Pretty damn cool. Here is the point at which the two rivers meet.

[kimzx1000r]

looking left from the point is Kentucky bridge.

[kimzx1000r]

and looking right is the Missouri bridge.

[rustynut2]

dibbs on the klr luggage rack above.

[kimzx1000r]

Leaving Cairo we headed for Mound City and the Mound City National Cemetery. I had never been to a national cemetery. I want to thank anyone who has served and provided me my freedoms!

[kimzx1000r]

[kimzx1000r]

Along this route was three opportunities to see train tunnels. Tunnel hill which is a biking, hiking trail, and two other live train tunnels which required a trip down a posted road and a hike over a hill and the other was accessed from a cemetery and required a 1/4 mile hike. I have no pictures of the tunnels so this should tell you we did not get to any of them. We decided against trespassing, and too hot to hike. But the cemetery was cool. It was a very old cemetery which I enjoy see old tomb stones. There was a good deal of riding through the Shawnee and that was really nice. We stopped at Burden Falls but it was bone dry.

[kimzx1000r]

Originally Posted by rustynut2

dibbs on the klr luggage rack above.

thats hillarious.... I should have grabbed it!

[kimzx1000r]

We ended up in Metropolis (home of superman) and stayed at Fort Massac. Another really nice campground and facilities. I am starting to dig old forts!

[kimzx1000r]

[kimzx1000r]

and the old ruins

[zilla]

Originally Posted by kimzx1000r

Before arriving at the Hennepin canal and Lock 21. We went through Princeton, Ill. We encountered two covered bridges there on the route. One I did not document because it was built sometime around 2006. But this one on the other hand, was built in 1863 and worthy of a picture. Although my photography of it has a lot to be desired.
Attachment 313497

Was the other covered bridge outside of Morrison?

[kimzx1000r]

No both were right near Princeton. I looked up Morrison and we were quite a bit south of there.

[BigDogAdventures.com]

Awesome guys---your video blew that BigDog clean off the porch
I really enjoyed that.

Nice to see someone else's perspective of my backyard. Beautiful pictures.

Loved those pictures of the Hennepin canal-------it's been 20 years since I was poking around there.

To bad you had to be slowed down with one of those itty bitty 250's

I've never seen a rattlesnake in Illinois-----I know they are thick--but I just never have seen one----and
I've lived here for 61 years. And you guys saw 3----I better keep my eye out.

BigDog

[kimzx1000r]

We headed out the next morning and road through some more of the Shawnee and eventually over to old Shawnee town. Another town that has seen its better days. On the way there though we had some wonderful riding. Here is Frank and Michael taking a break.