Chicago Region BMW Motorcycle Owners Assoccrbmw

Fall State Park Ride
September 18-19

Even though it's a little before fall this year's ride should coincide with some good weather and some great riding. The plan this year is to visit the Johnson-Sauk Trail State Recreation Area near Kewanee, IL. The recreation area has a nice campground next to the lake and a restaurant. We may be able to tour the unique 100 year old round barn that is located on the property. On Sunday we will visit the Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park and visitors center nearby in Sheffield. For those who prefer the comfort of a hotel, there are several choices in Kewanee and a bed and breakfast in both Kewanee and Sheffield.

Sheffield B&B: http://www.chestnut-inn.com/

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R1/JOHNSON.HTM

The schedule:

Saturday, September 18

8:30-9AM

Arrive at my house for a light breakfast & coffee or just ride there direct.
Location: 2900 Conley Road, Morris (about an hour for most of you)

10AM

Depart for the ride to Johnson-Sauk with a lunch stop on the way. (90 mi. or about 3 hours plus lunch) I’ll provide some suggestions for lunch but most of you know the area. We will limit the size of the groups at departure.

2-3 PM

Tour the round barn located near the entrance of Johnson-Sauk (Tours stop at 4 PM)

3-5 PM Set up camp or check into motels

6:30 PM

Dinner at the Chestnut Inn Bed & Breakfast in Sheffield, IL depending on the level of interest. Maximum of 28 and a cost of $27.00 per person.
301 East Chestnut Street
Sheffield, IL
(800) 537-1304 (815) 454-2419

Sunday, September 19

7-8 AM

Breakfast at Johnson-Sauk across from tent camping on the lake

9 AM

Depart for Hennepin Canal State Park near Sheffield, IL (20 minutes)

Depart for home (3-4 hours)

As I stated above, the Chestnut Inn Bed & Breakfast offers a dinner on September 18th for 28 guests at a per person cost of $27. I have the facility temporarily reserved but I need to determine if there is an interest in some or all of the riders eating there. If not, I'll find another location near the campsite.

The following is an example menu for the night:

Brie en Croute with Date and Walnut Filling, Mushroom Bisque, Julia's Chicken Fricassee, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Farm Fresh Vegetable, Chocolate Pots de Cremes

Cost Details:

Seating begins at 6:30pm. There is only one seating per night. All dinners are $27 per person plus tax ($1 surcharge for beef entrees). Fresh baked bread, coffee, tea, iced tea, juice included. Sodas $.50 cents each. Beer and wine is available for sale.

If you are interested, send me an e-mail with your name and the number eating. I'll wait for two weeks to determine if I hold the Chestnut Inn or find another place.
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So far I have 5 or 6 names for the Chestnut Inn dinner. I'll wait a few days and if I don't get more interest I'll start looking for another place for us to eat on the 18th.

The long term report is showing good weather for next weekend and I wanted to update everyone on the plans for the State Park Ride:

Round Barn Tour: Tours are free and are available from 1 to 4 PM on Saturday. Depending on your arrival time I suggest setting up camp first to make sure we you get a site.

Camping: Tent camping is only $8 per site and two tents per site are allowed. $4 for camping with showers is a great price!

Saturday dinner: We will eat at 6:30PM at Good Guys Bar & Grill in Princeton, IL about 30 minutes from the camp site. The address is:

Good Guys Bar & Grill
2205 N. Main Street
Princeton, IL
815-872-4897

Sunday Breakfast: Unfortunately the Lakeside Restaurant (across the road from the camp site) closed for the season today. We can eat at the Station House in Kewanee, IL about 10 minutes away.

Station House
300 W. 3rd Street
Kewanee, IL
815-854-7245

I'll add some maps to this site later in the week and I'll have some print outs for those that start at my house Saturday morning. See you Saturday.

I have a GPS file for the ride this weekend. Send me an e-mail if you would like a copy.

The following are the final details for our ride this weekend. Feel free to catch us anywhere during the weekene.

2010 State Park Ride Schedule

Depart 2900 Conley Road
Morris, IL 10:00 AM

Saturday Lunch Options

Starved Rock Lodge (Bar area)

Up Town Grill
601 1st Street
La Salle, IL 61301-2418
(815) 224-4545

Valley Bar & Grill
107 W Saint Paul St.
Spring Valley, ILý
(815) 663-2410ý
Open at 11AM

Arrive at Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park: 1:00 to 2:00 PM

Set up Camp & Tour Round Barn: 2:00-4:00 PM
(Tours stop at 4 PM)

Saturday Dinner (6:30 PM)
Good Guys
2205 N Main St,
Princeton, IL
(815) 872-4897

Sunday Breakfast (8:00 AM to 9:00 AM)

Station House Restaurant
300 W 3rd St.
Kewanee, IL 61443-2112
(309) 854-7245

Ride to Hennepin Canal Lock #22: 9:30 AM
North off of HW 6 on CR 300E (west of Sheffield, IL)

Depart for home~ 10:30 AM
(Option to ride east-southeast through Sheffield, Buda & Tiskilwa)