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The Weisskopf Observatory

From there we drove the back roads, winding our way past the Byron Motosports Park, the Byron Nuclear Plant, and the Byron Dragway to the Byron Forest Preserve District, the Jarrett Prairie Center, and the

Our paddleboat for the river dinner.

Weiskopf Observatory (all one stop). After 45 minutes to an hour hanging around the Prairie Center and/or walking the paths through the prairie, we gathered up for a drive into Byron. We stopped at the Byron Museum of History, a very interesting place, and then a few doors down to the AERO Ale House for lunch.

From there the caravan split. Some drove over to the Conover Square Mall and explored it before heading back to the Paddle Wheel Inn. Others chose to drive an extended backwoods route to the Paddle Wheel.

Atronghold Castle

Herons nesting in the trees

The day of driving ended with a walk, not a drive, to the river and our two-hour dinner cruise up and down the Rock River. Some of us spotted herons nesting in the trees and glimpsed the Stronghold Castle hidden behind the trees. It was a beautiful night: calm and no precipitation even if the soon to be full moon was not visible due to cloud cover.

Sunday
On Sunday we left the Paddle Wheel Inn around 9:00 am for a drive through Mt. Morris, slowing down but not stopping as we passed the Illinois Freedom Bell, a replica of the original Liberty Bell. Our destination was the White Pines Lodge in the White Pines State Forest for a wonderful buffet breakfast. And what a spread it was!

Parking lot of White Pines Lodge. Notice the photo bomb!

After breakfast the MG on the Oregon Trail Tour came to an end. Homeward bound were we.

~~ Ray Benton
VMGCC member
1950 MG TD