Head Out On the Highway, Looking For Adventure

Head Out On the Highway, Looking For Adventure - Part 3

Head Out On the Highway, Looking For Adventure

Turn right onto the Bald Bluff road a mile north of Little York and you begin heading West. Go far enough and you'll begin to see the pines of Big River Conservation area, a 2900 acre forest between Keithsburg and Oquawka. Slow down now and start looking for this sign on your left. Its your personal invitation to a little-known local adventure.

Of particular interest in this area is the Lincoln Trail. The broken unmaintained sign reads:

"Lincoln Trail History

On May 7, 1832 Capt. Abraham Lincoln led by Col Samuel

Thompson and Maj Nathan Bucmaster,

Rode with 2000 militiamen on this trail to

the mouth of the Rock River in the

Blackhawk War."

The stately pines provide plenty of cover and mystery.

Hidden on the trail on a small bluff is this small pioneer cemetery. Burials appear to be in the 1850's and 60's. Overgrown and weedy it seems appropriate out here in the dark forested middle-of-nowhere.

A mile east of Oquawka we discovered this ancient timber cabin slowly being consumed by nature.

The trip culminated in a stop at Papa Joe's, a fish market with a big sign out front that reads The Meat with No Feet.

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Flashback Friday

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