Chicago Region BMW Motorcycle Owners Assoccrbmw

The Illinois State Park Mothball Tour, Saturday Oct 18th & 19th, 2008
Join us on our Fall Color Ride and Campout! This is your last Chance to enjoy the fall colors, and visit many of the 11 ILLINOIS STATE PARKS closing November 1st.
We’ll follow the Illinois River, past Starved Rock, as it heads south on this major migratory bird route, beyond Peoria to Rice Lake. At this time of year we might see any number of species including ducks, geese, and sandhill cranes, maybe even the mighty Bald Eagle!
Campers will overnight at Weldon Springs State Park; while nearby Clinton, IL has several motels for those who prefer. Clinton is home to the famous TED’S GARAGE, an upscale diner whose menu includes a Saturday night Baby Back Rib Special.
Sunday we’ll head north. We’ll have visited Channahon, Illini, Gephard Woods, Rice Lake, Weldon Springs, and Moraine View State Parks—and if you’re more ambitious and have just a few more hours, you can include Kickapoo, Hidden Springs, and Hennepin Canal State Parks. All these will be closed after Nov. 1. With brief exceptions, we’ll stick to backroads and state highways. There is no “Rain date” but there’s no penalty to make the trip in a car if circumstances dictate. Clinton is three hours from Chicago via I-55 if you need to get home in a hurry.
Details as follows:
After 9 am, Saturday, we’ll meet at Mike Neal’s in Morris Illinois for a light breakfast.
Directions to Mike’s at 2900 Conley Road, Morris 60450:
Heading south, cross the Illinois River on Rt. 47 in Morris. In 1.2 miles turn right (west) on Southmor Rd.
In 1.5 miles turn left (south) on Conley Rd, go 0.6 miles to 2900 Conley.
10 am. Ride departs promptly. There will be a lunch stop, and route maps will be provided. You’re free to ride on your own, and rendezvous. Small groups will be encouraged; we wish to avoid a “parade”. From Morris to Weldon Springs we will travel approx 225 miles.
Motels in Clinton include:
Sunset Inn & Suitesý - (217) 935-4140ý
Town & Country Motelý - (217) 935-2121
Questions contact Mike Neal 815.474.4490 or Jerry Sjostrom at 708-383-5746

The following are the approximate times that we will be ariving at the parks. There will be several lunch suggestions and the campers need to keep to the schedule to get to Weldon Springs before dark.

Saturday

10:10 AM Gebhard Woods SP - Morris
11:00 AM Illini SP - Marseilles
Lunch (your choice)
2:30 to 3:00 PM Rice Lake Cons. Area - Canton
5:00 to 5:30 PM Weldon Springs SP - Clinton

Sunday

10:00 AM Morain View SP - LeRoy
12:30 - 1:00 PM Channhon SP

I'll be posting maps and eating locations later.

Mike Neal

Here is some information on our camp site at Weldon Springs:

Named by Family Circle magazine to be one of the "Top Twenty Campgrounds in America", Weldon Springs' campground offers a quiet and friendly atmosphere for a relaxing camping experience.

The traditional Class A campground has 75 campsites with electricity, vehicular access, sanitary dumping station, shower building, cooking grills, picnic tables, pit toilets and playground equipment and water hydrants throughout the campground. Weldon Springs’ campground is open year-round; the shower building closes in the fall and reopens in the spring. Areas for tent, backpack, large group and youth camping are also available. Primitive backpack campsites are located along Salt Creek.

Map: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R3/wls/wlscampmap.pdf

Attached is the link to the "Downloads" section for the maps for the ride this weekend. Right now the weather forecast is looking great for riding and camping. See you Saturday!

http://www.crbmw.com/images/stories/downloads/Illinois_State_Park_Mothball_Tour_Maps.pdf

Mothball Riders,

I stopped by a few parks and places we will be visting on the Mothball ride during my return from the Falling Leaf Rally. I thought you might want to see some of the parks and Ted's Garage. I've included some rally pictures as well.


http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd221/mgnksn/CRBMW/

Mike,
Thanks loads for the preparation you have done for this ride. It looks to be a good time with MotherNature cooperating. See you Saturday at 9:00

Carey Caldwell