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.