We left Tipsaw Lake and headed to yet another gem…Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area in Newton, IL. It is a small campground, has paved sites with decent spacing; 50A; no water hook-ups at individual sites but there were water spigots between sites. All this for $18 a night! And, we were in the trees which was nice as our main air conditioner decided it was time to quit!
It was a wonderful place to ride bikes and chill…so that’s what we did.
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| Dan chewing on wheat from the field |
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| Sam Parr Lake |
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| Our site |
We were only there 2 nights but we really enjoyed our find!!
We had made reservations at a Corp of Engineer campground for the 4th of July. Lake Shelbyville in Illinois is HUGE and has about 1500 campsites that are either on the north side of the lake (us!) or the south side of the lake (everyone else!). Not sure how we did it (luck?!) but we made reservations on the quiet side. Suited us just fine!!
The ride to the campground was nothing but farmland! Corn and soybeans!! And boy was it flat!!
We had booked 12 days and filled it with a mixture of sight-seeing, bike riding, smoking meat, playing cards, exploring the area, and chilling!
We started our stay off by celebrating Syl’s birthday!
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| Birthday bike ride |
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| Lake Shelbyville |
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| Itty bitty bunny that Syl spied |
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| Where to now? |
After the bike ride and picnic lunch, we stopped by to see the town’s Sunken Garden….
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| Pretty sunflowers |
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| Syl getting a close-up |
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| She pet a bumblebee!! |
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| I love hydrangeas |
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| Syl and Gin |
There was a really neat old building in the town park…
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| Chautauqua Auditorium from 1903 |
We also explored the Corp of Engineer’s Visitor’s Center….
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| Riding across the dam |
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| Pretty lake but too busy for us |
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| Syl and her birthday pie...blueberry of course! |
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| Dan shredding smoked pork butt - Best BBQ ever! |
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| Gin, Syl, and I also tie-dyed one day. Fun times |
We also celebrated Gin's birthday (early!) one day but I guess I was too busy eating to get any pictures!!
Before we knew it, it was time for us to head out to our next destination!!
Yes, the quiet side of the lake was still a big cg but very quiet. Must be because all the noise floats away over the flat land.
ReplyDeleteMy tie dye looks a little weak.
Syl
Always enjoy watching the fun the four of you manage to fine:o)) Love the birthday photo of Syl...Happy Birthday to both Syl and Gin...know I'm late, but my brain is a bit scrambled right now!!! Keep sharing the fun...it makes me smile:o)))))))))))
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