Modoc Rock Shelter to Menard Home Site; Distance = 13 Miles; People Met = 12
We continued on along the Bluff Road, as the name implies remaining closer to the bluffs than the Mississippi River. Early on we were greeted by a stampede of four small dogs, but I’m never worried even with large dogs. If there appears to be trouble Cindy gets on the far side of me. I’ll sweet talk dogs for as long as I think prudent before changing my demeanor to a person ready to do battle. Quite frankly, I am. I don’t care if it’s a Rottweiler, pit bull, German shepherd, whatever. Dogs that attempt to bite one of us will be in for a rude surprise. You just can’t show fear among animals and the only exception for me is a grizzly. Besides, Aragorn may have Anduril, but I have Raccoon Whacker.
The small dogs were only of the yapping variety and their owner was outside. Mary came over to tell us they would not bite and to ask us what we were doing. That led to a conversation where we learned that Mary acquired all the dogs from the humane society. It seems like every person we meet has rescued dogs, but Mary goes a step further. She acquired guardianship of two boys unrelated to her, one now eighteen, the other ten. Both their original parents and grandparents were meth users and occasionally in prison. After we continued on Cindy was so impressed with Mary she dubbed her a saint.
We took our lunch break at the small village park in Ellis Grove, population around 300. Across from the park was the “city hall” so to speak. Treasurer Brenda Lee came by to open up and invited us in to use the restrooms and get ice if we wanted. Soon after we entered the building town clerk Linda Butler arrived. Linda had been working with Ky to find places for us to stay down the road. We ended up chatting for quite awhile.
Linda Butler and Brenda Lee
At the end of the day we were supposed to rendezvous with Ky at the entrance for Fort Kaskaskia State Park, which I thought was on our route. Well, the entrance wasn’t on the route and we kept on hiking until people in a car stopped us and asked if we were walking across the country. Such a question means that Bob and Joan Reid had been talking to Ky at the State Park; they picked us up to reunite us with our support.
Ky, Joan and Bob
As it turned out, Bob was the owner of Reid’s Best Western in Chester and we were invited to stay at the hotel. In addition, Bob took us out to dinner at a restaurant he owned in town as well. Furthermore, his Harvest House restaurant featured a buffet! We were in hiker’s heaven.
Jessica at Reid's Best Western
Bob seems to know everyone in Chester, including the Ad Editor for the local newspaper who came out for a story on us. At the restaurant he greeted several customers. Though Bob and Joan now live elsewhere, much of their family remains and we met son Brad and grandsons Steve and Tyler. Steve sat down to eat with us.
Reporter Judy
Bob grew up in Chester and after supper he took us for a drive to see some of the parks and buildings in Chester. Unfortunately, we could not get the whole picture in the dark. We did see plenty of evidence, even aside from Bob, that Chester is the extremely proud home of Popeye. Statues of Popeye characters are all over the town. When I heard “Sailor Man” as a kid I naturally thought of Popeye as one who traveled the open seas. Having now been to Chester I realize that the setting for Popeye’s little steamboat was the Mississippi River.
All in all this day was quite a hoot, filled with kindness and childhood memories.
Other Photos
A great court for learning how to pass the ball
Protected identity?
Wow! You hit pay dirt — real beds, showers, dinner out, a personal tour (even in the dark) and a reporter! What more could you ask for? Sounds like you’re doing great. Blessing on you.
Thanks Christy. The only thing we were missing was sitting around the breakfast table with you.
Kirk