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It all started with the Route 66 cookbook! Dannelle Gay, The Traveling Cheesehead and I both reviewed this fun cookbook. We decided on a whim to travel from Chicago to Santa Monica, stopping at diners profiled along the way. Over 2,400 miles, eight states, and vistas from the Illinois plains to the panhandle, to hills, valleys, forest, mountains, dessert and the ocean. America the beautiful is…

A story about how travel is more than what you see and do, it is how you react, and the relationships you forge along the way.  My story begins with a cookbook, to be precise, The Route 66 Cookbook. I received this treasure to review for my holiday gift guide for my blog. Writer, author, television host and podcaster and blogger of The Traveling Cheesehead, Dannelle Gay also received a book for…

The 2026 Historic Farm Days in Penfield Illinois takes place July 9-12. Congratulations to the I & I Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club celebrating their 50th anniversary at the same time that the US is celebrating 250. What a special occasion! We attended on the 9th, only able to go for one day this year. But it was a fun one. A bit steamy, but nice. The hubby brought along a battery-operated…

Fun tractor at the Roud Up in Huron. Recently we stayed in the in De Smet, South Dakota. This was our base while attending the Red Power Round Up in nearby Huron. We found the town of De Smet to be historic, and beautiful. It was also the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder. She wrote the books that the television show Little House on the Prairie was devised from. Besides the unique history of the…

Not many actors spur the amount of patriotism, machoism, and just plain Grit (pardon the pun from the movie) as John Wayne. He inspires feelings of heroism. As I look to America’s 250th Birthday this weekend, I get a sense of pride to be an American. We found this to be especially true when Keith and I pulled up at of the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum in Winterset, Iowa. Right out front was a…

Della Neimann had been telling us for months not to worry about anything for the Route 66 Tractor Drive. She said whenever they had an event, all was good. No worries. God had always blessed them and bless us he did. Saturday June 20th dawned sunny and balmy. Temperatures topped 80 after days of violent stormy weather. The day shined on our Route 66 tractor drive. This idea has been in the works…

What makes a visit successful? Sometimes it is the special things you see and do that don’t happen anywhere else. That was my experience on my recent visit to Chicago Southland’s charming communities. Staying at the beautiful Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino, Hotel and Spa, I was already pampered before ever leaving my luxury surroundings. Scott Rude of Visit Chicago Southland hosted a group…

From the moment I stepped into the Wind Creek Chicago South Land property I felt it. The it I am talking about is the glitz and glamour of the resort property. Wowza! The Wind Creek Casino opened in 2024, and hotel in 2025. The property is brand spanking new, with amazing staff, there to assist your every need. This stop was a press trip prior to attending the 2026 Midwest Travel Network…

With the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road, new thing to see and do are popping up everywhere. One of the latest is the Submerged Route 66 Boat Tour, A Sunken Road Story Resurfaced. The story behind the tour. The tour is the brainchild of Geoff Ladd, Assistant director of Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, Geoff thought a tour sharing information about Route 66 under Lake Springfield would be…

Besides the joy of the drive, the Jim Klaus Sr. Tractor Drive that took place on June 6th, has a purpose. The drive raises money for the maintenance of the Nilwood Baptist Church. Built in 1878, the church is almost 150 years old. Drive story Pastor Ron Schaaff shared the drive is special raising funds for church upkeep. Church members provide a dinner, and tractor drivers offer up a donation.…

My new book True Farm Girl Adventures is out! What do you say when the farm broadcaster for RFD TV and more Max Armstrong provides a preview for your book? Thank you is not sufficient about how I felt. Max penned his kind words in the forward of my new book True Farm Girl Adventures. He said, “True Farm Girl Adventures just made me smile, as I recalled my own stories. I bet you will have the…

At the Auburn, Illinois Cemetery’s Memorial Day event, Joe Powell reminded us that Memorial Day is much more than BBQ’s and fun. It is a day to remember those that sacrificed all for us to be free. Several people we knew were on hand to take out time to remember those that fought and died for our freedom. A few Trinity Lutheran Church members were part of the anniversary. My husband Keith and I…

Being from Central Illinois, the story in my backyard is all about Route 66. I am covering content about the Mother Road frequently. However, alongside the Route 66 100th anniversary is our nation’s 250th. I am remembering on this anniversary the men and women that fought for our freedom. Gold Bless our veterans silo. I love this silo decorated with “God Bless Our Veteran’s” that Annie Jansen…

The winter weather held on way too long in my neck of the woods which is Central Illinois. We had a breath of spring then we were bounced right back into frigid wind, rain and such. Brr! What did I need?  A dose of flowers and spring, thus the perfect spring trip to Wayne County Indiana. Annie Jansen and I met with the amazing Nancy Sartain and Julie Chance of Visit Richmond. They gave us a…

Baraboo Wisconsin is the home of the Circus. That history is captured at the amazing Circus World. Thanks to Rebecca Werner of the Wisconsin Historical Society I was able to secure a wonderful tour. During the summer months, you can see not only the museum and buildings but also watch performances onsite! Circus World Executive Director, Scott O’Donnell in front of the clown shoe…

This past weekend, my husband Keith and I headed north to Wisconsin. He wanted to go to the Baraboo Flea Market, and I wanted to visit the Circus World Museum. We had a plan of action! . Starved Rock State Park When stopping for lunch, we decided to head to Starved Rock State Park. Located along the Illinois River, this park filled with canyons, a beautiful lodge, and stunning views seemed the…

Provided by Karen Waldrup and used with permission. Are you like me and always looking for good music while on the road? I can’t be behind the wheel without a good country song on the radio. So, it was a joy to catch up with Karen Waldrup and learn what this country singer is up to. With over a million Facebook followers, this Top 5 finalist on The Voice in 2025 is making her way to the top of…