Heading on West

We crossed the Mighty Mississippi late this afternoon.

Earlier I had called back to Mount Prospect after the good-byes and a 9:45 a.m. departure. "Mom, you won't believe it," I had told her on the cell phone.

"Where are you?" she asked immediately.
"About five miles north. It's grey and overcast at your house. Well, here there is not a cloud in the sky." And the rest of our day across Illinois was gorgeous. Activities included a couple mile-long hikes at Apple River Canyon State Park. "The terrain looks just like Connecticut with all the hardwood trees," commented Andy as we walked Pine Bluff and River Route.
We stopped at the home of Ulysses S. Grant in Galena, Illinois. Down the hill we discovered a one-room log cabin built by John and Mary Long in 1851, where the couple raised four kids. The home was later occupied by Henry Binns, his wife and six children until 1970.

"If you want an interesting free place to visit in southern Wisconsin, don't miss The Grotto in Dickeyville," recommended high school friend Connie when we chatted by phone.

"I'm all for interesting and free," I told her. "I'll tell Andy since I'm only the navigator."

Connie was right on. The Grotto, a religious and patriotic shrine, honored Catholic saints and our nation's founders. One man cemented millions of stones--from huge chunks of petrified wood to softball-size geodes to peas of obsidian and jasper and olivine. Every centimeter was covered, a visual testament of one man's passion.

"This is certainly a labor of love," said Andy.

"And apparently obsession and determination," I agreed. After advising high school yearbook for 17 years, as well as teaching English full time, I know all about obsession and determination.