Kaitlin and JP visit Pinckneyville

JP and I set out on our adventure with my husband, Tom in tow. We were heading to St. Louis for Tom’s interview with Timberline Landscapes and JP insisted on coming along. We had a busy day attending church with Tom’s sister Kacie in Edwardsville, IL and then we headed to Maplewood, MO where Tom’s interview would take place. JP and I sat waiting anxiously in the car. I think that JP was as nervous as I was! When Tom came out, he thought the interview went very well! So we decided to make the trip back to Carbondale, IL! However, JP insisted on making a pit stop on the way.

JP wanted to visit the Perry County Courthouse in Pinckneyville, IL. He told me all about this beautiful church bell that was in front of the courthouse. According to JP, the bell was from the Lost Prairie Lutheran Church, a country church outside of Pinckneyville. However, in 1968 the church was destroyed by a tornado that ripped through the area. The bell was the only thing left of the church and the county decided to place it at the courthouse in memory of the church. Although it was dark outside, JP insisted that we take a picture!

JP, Tom and I had a wonderful time on our journey to St. Louis and back! We learned a lot about Pinckneyville’s history! And…Tom got the job! We are moving to St. Louis next week! JP has traveled 186.8 miles! He has traveled a total of 1633.9 miles.

JP visits Cahokia Mounds with Amanda!!

JP and I had a wonderful time enjoying the beautiful weather at Cahokia Mounds. As we drove to the national historical site, where the Cahokia Mounds are located, JP stared in awe with his head out of the window at the huge mounds made by the Indian tribe. JP and I had to stop to catch our breath as we walked up the steep staircase that leads to the top of the highest mound. When we reached the pinnacle of the mound, it felt as if we had just finished climbing a tall mountain. From this vantage point, JP and I could see the vast plains of Illinois, and realized why this was such an attractive site for the tribes to settle in the first place. Total miles JP has traveled: 1447.10 Latitude Cahokia Mounds: 38.631000N Longitude Cahokia Mounds: 89.7844W

J.P visits Metropolis (with Lacey)

This week I took J.P. home to Metropolis with me. We took advantage of the beautiful weather and visited Fort Massac State Park and the Superman statue. Fort Massac State Park is located on the Ohio River and has a very rich history dating back to the Native Americans who took advantage of the land close to the river. It is said, that in 1540, Hernando De Soto built a fort at the site to protect the explorers from native attacks. Since then, several forts have been built at the site and have been used during several wars including the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and the Civil War. During the Revolutionary War, Colonel George Rogers Clark led his "Long Knives" regiment into Illinois at Massac Creek and was able to capture Kaskaskia, 100 miles to the north, and take the entire Illinois Territory for the State of Virginia and United States. There is a statue of George Rogers Clark in the park and J.P and I had our picture made with it. In 1908, Fort Massac was officially dedicated as Illinois' first state park. The forts at the park are now only replicas but J.P. and I had a great time exploring them.

After our visit at the park, we decided to go see the Superman statue, which is what attracts most tourists to my hometown. Although Superman is not based on my hometown, on June 9, 1972, it became known officially as "The Home of Superman". Each year in June there is a Superman Celebration which attracts hundreds of people from all over the country. At any given time you can drive by the statue and see tourists posing under it. Although I tried to talk him out of it, J.P. insisted we have our picture made with the statue and pose on the Superman and Supergirl cutouts.

I think J.P. really enjoyed his short visit to Metropolis. We couldn't have asked for better weather. We enjoyed the opportunity to spend time at the park that had such a significant role in American history.

Location: Metropolis, IL Latitude: 37.15N Longitude: 88.73 W

Miles traveled: 139

Total Miles: 1184.98

Toni and J.P. Go To Springfield!

J.P. and I traveled an exhausting 343.98 miles round trip to visit our state's capital, Springfield, IL. While we were there we had a fantastic time at the Illinois Reading Conference. We received a ton of free teaching materials! After taking a break at Cold Stone Creamery, we took a walk to the Old Capital Building. We have included a picture of us there for your enjoyment! We had such a great time in Springfield and are already planning our next road trip.

Total miles J.P. has traveled: 1045.98

Latitude Springfield IL: 39.78 degrees N
Longitude Sprinfield IL: 89.66 degrees W

JP's trip to the BLUUUUUEEEEEESSS!!!!!

What up DOG!!!

My name is Drew Pettit and i truly have the most incredible dog any man could ask for. I have the first dog that loves to go to hockey games. So as the friend that I am, I decided to surprise JP with a trip to the St. Louis Blues game in St. Louis Missouri latitude was 38' 36 and longitude was 90' 12. The weather outside was like nothing I had experienced before in my 22 years of living. In my opinion, it was some of the worst snow and ice we have had in years, but because of the love for my dog that I possess I decided to push through and complete JP’s only wish. We watched the Blues take down the legendary Detroit Red Wings in a classic shootout winning 4-3. The Scott Trade Center holds over 19,000 people on any occasion, especially when Gordon Bombay and the renowned Mighty Ducks come into town.
During the game JP asked me “Drew do you think that ceiling is high enough to propel down?” of course I didn’t know the answer but luckily using my incredible geometric skills I came to the conclusion no because the ceiling was only 95 feet high. The trip ended up to be roughly 208 miles from Wham building to Scott Trade Center and back. Long story short, JP and I had one of the best times a man and his best friend can have. And YES, to answer your question, girls dig a guy that brings his dog to hockey games!!!!!


GAS SPENT TO GET TO SCOTT TRADE CENTER: $45

HOTDOG AT A BLUES GAME: $8

SPENDING TIME WITH MANS BEST FRIEND (JP): PRICELESS

total miles traveld: 702

J.P and Meredith Visit Pillow’s Folly

Whew! All of these wonderful adventures J.P. has been experiencing sure have worn him out! Therefore, before he went on his next adventure, he needed some rest. So, after leaving Wham, he resided for a day in Carterville to prepare for his next big adventure. Once he was well rested, he embarked on his journey to the next destination. J.P. and I left Carterville determined to reach our destination of Columbus-Belmont State Park in Columbus, Kentucky. We were extremely excited for our mini vacation.

Columbus-Belmont State Park is filled with a vast amount of history pertaining to the Civil War and the Union’s Western Campaign, which we were intrigued to investigate more. I had called ahead to schedule our visit because the park has different hours of operation during the winter months. Upon arrival, we were greeted by some of the friendly staff. They provided J.P and me with further background knowledge, as well as with handouts and pamphlets about the park, before giving us the tour of the grounds. The park is often called, “The Gibraltar of the West.”

On display at the park, are artifacts that aided in the Confederate’s defense against the invasion of the Union along the Mississippi River, including a Sea Coast cannon, a massive anchor and part of a chain, and several trenches. The anchor and chain is where J.P. and I took our picture. The chain is referred to as “Pillow’s Folly”, named after General Gideon Pillow who was responsible for the Confederate troops along the Mississippi River. It was created and used to prevent Union gunboats from passing along the river.

To learn more about the park, the Battle of Belmont on November 7, 1861, and other activities held at Columbus-Belmont State Park, such as the Civil War Reenactment Days, and hours of seasonal operation, tourists may visit the website www.parks.ky.gov or call the park at (270) 677-2327. J.P. and I had a spectacular day on the trails, the museum, and exploring the park. We even discussed possibly going back in October for one of the Civil War Reenactment days.

We had a fantastic mini vacation, but after a roundtrip vacation of 199.76 miles, it is time for us both to rest up again before J.P. sets off on his next adventure adding to the 530.34 miles he has traveled thus far.

Round Trip Miles: 199.76 miles

Total Trip Miles: 530.34 miles

Latitude: 36.768079

Longitude: -89.10932

J.P. and Amanda Go to Court!!!!

J.P. and Amanda drove the 76.48 miles to Thebes Courthouse in Thebes, Illinois. This courthouse was built in 1849, and restored later. It sits less than one mile from the Mississippi River.

Total Miles JP has traveled: 330.58

Miles JP traveled on this trip: 124.77

Longitude and Latitude:
40.633125, -89.398528