Smokey visits the University Museum!!!

On Monday, December 13, 2010, Smokey the dog and Christin Harris went to the University Museum at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. The University Museum is a very important place on campus because it houses many wonderful historical items. The museum is located in the Faner building on campus. Smokey and Christin started the journey from 625 Wham Drive and made the long 1.4 mile trek (round trip) in the frigid cold temperatures to 1000 Faner Drive, the University Museum. The latitude and longitude for the museum are 37.716809 degrees north and 89.218412 degrees west. Smokey and Christin enjoyed their brief visit, even though it was FREEZING!!! Next time they take a road trip, Christin and Smokey have decided to pick a warmer destination. FLORIDA, HERE WE COME!!!!!

Smokey Encounters Vultures

On December 7, 2010, Smokey traveled 18.51 miles to Makanda, IL (37degrees North, 89 degrees W). Makanda, IL is a very quiet and small town with a population of only 419. Even though it is small, it is filled with treasures! The downtown "boardwalk" store fronts are dated back to the 1890's. Inside the store, over 60 local artisans sell locally made goods such as tea and coffee, jewelry, candles, paintings, glass work, and even metal and brass sculptures! Makanda is also home of the annual Illinois Vulture Fest. Makanda has very large popluation of black and turkey vultures, especially in the fall due to the deer hunting season. The locals of Makanda decided to take this opportunity to celebrate the vulture with a festival. Throughout this two-day festival, visitors can take advantage of local artwork, see crafters work, taste new and delicious foods and listen to live music!

The Adventures of Valerie and Smokey

Well Smokey's adventure began on Sunday, December 5th at around 1 pm-I let him sleep in for awhile. I told Smokey that he was going to go home with me to help decorate my parents' house for xmas, but that we were going to stop on the way to look at some historical sites. So Smokey and I began our adventure heading to Chester, Illinois.

Our first stop of the day was at the Popeye statue, which is located beside the Mississippi River. The 6ft bronze Popeye statue, was dedicated in 1977, is located in the Segar Memorial Park. It was inspired by the fact that Elzie C. Segar, the creator of Popeye, was born in Chester and many of the Popeye characters were based off of real residents of Chester.

The next stop was at Menard Correctional Center, but we were not allowed to take a picture so we went to the best next place, The Pierre Menard Home. The Pierre Menard Home is home to the first lieutenant govenor of Illinois from 1818 to 1822. The Pierre Menard home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970.

The last stop on the way to my parents' house was at the beautiful Fort Kaskaskia park. I took Smokey to the bluff that overlooks the Mississippi, which was at one time the Kaskaskia river until an earthquake changed the direction of the river. I told Smokey, which he didn't believe me, that the orginal town of Kaskaskia, was once the first state capital of Illinois. I also shared with Smokey all the historical events that have taken place here. I shared with him the Lewis and Clark Connection, Garrison Hill Cementary and how in 1909 the town of Kaskaskia disappeared due to massive flooding.

Overall, Smokey had a very long, but fun filled day of learning and of course Christmas decorating. But that is for another adventure of Smokey and Valerie.