I'm working on a "great river run" rallye. Basically follow the Mississippi on the Illinois side to say Cape Girardeau and then back up the Missouri side. (certain Hot Orange Cabrio's from CG welcome! )

On the maps I noticed are many historical sites. For example on the Illinois side there is Fort Des Chartres near Prarie Du Rocher, IL that is a 1750's fort built by the french before being kicked out by the English. For another example there is the first state capital of Illinois in Kaskaskia, IL which was abandoned in the 1830's cause of flooding, twist is that you can only get to it from Missouri cause the Mississippi River changed course and basically seceded itself from Illinois.

This got me thinking of mixing Motoring and checking out history. Not too twisty on the Il side but there are some interesting Mo roads.

So the idea is to motor at a spirited pace, stop and check these places out, motor to the next spot, stop for lunch and so forth.

Probably take better part of a day.

Other thought I had was that before I did any mapping, checking out the timing, etc I'd ask the community. While this is appealing to me I might be a party of one.

Sooooo Community is this something that you would be interested in?

 

The Club has done the Illinois levee run several times already but there is nothing to say we can't do it again. We've never gone to the Fort or Kaskaskia Island which are both pretty interesting to see. Ste Genevieve has many historical buildings & interesting things to see also. I think to try to do too many things would make for a very long day so perhaps one side of the great Mississippi or the other would be more appropriate.

Lois

 

Lois,

Ya mean rolling outta stl louie at 6A and get back at 7P with a snoot full of history and a sore butt from 500+ miles of motoring wouldn't be appealing?

I agree, just want to get a pulse on the community if the concept is appealing.

If so I'd be willing to work out the timing so we don't overtax and do something like a 9A to 4P run

Thanks for the feedback!

 

Tim,

You could probably talk me into it but I'm not sure about most of the Club members


Lois

 

Guess we're both a couple of freaks. I re-read my suggestion to roll at 6A and motor 500 miles to 7P. Doesn't sound so bad, assuming some good twisties!

Like talking to Lois but does anybody else have any feedback?

 

We don't mind an all-day event, but then anything that we go on in the St Louis area works out to all day trip for us.

If you're wanting to have a larger turnout, maybe do several smaller events over several weeks/months. Do Prairie Du Rocher on one run, Kaskaskia on a second run, Ste Gen on a third, etc. (or combine a couple).

 

Thanks for tempering my 'freakish' nature Good idea!

 

I like your idea! I'm from Michigan but love and know something of the area you're talking about. What about an overnight event? Start Saturday morning, tour for the day, stop have dinner and a party, and then motor for 4-5 hours on Sunday and have a closing lunch. With a little promotion you'd draw people from a bit further away.

 

Glad to help. BTW: the offer to help scout the 'southern territories' still stands. We're quite familiar with the area around Cape Girardeau and have family in the Ste Gen area. Also, for the IL side, what about the Menard Mansion in Chester. There are some twisty/scenic roads in that area.

This is also a good idea. For us, the 6A-7P/500mile run is fine, but then we have an additional ~5hr/~300miles just getting to/from St Louis to attend. (That's what we get for living in the boonies!)

 

I liked your thinking too! The idea of a overnighter has been kicked around a couple times. I'd be game!

Anybody else? We got 1/2 dayers, full dayers and overnighters.

I'm willing to do some routing/legwork but would like some indication of willingness to just participate from local club.

 

Count us as willing to participate in any of the options you've put forth--but it all depends on my work schedule.

 

Thanks Mike!

 

Sooooo one could infer not allot of interest outside of Lois, Mishaka and MiniGRM?.............

 

I'm interested!

(Depends on when though ...)

 

Thanks John.

*Maybe* we can fit this in between your global hijinks!

Figuring there will probably be a few situational last minute attendee's I'll get started. 2 or more MINI's make a caravan, we'll sort of.

Think I might try the idea of a shorter 1/2 day jaunt and split these up a bit and see what kind of participation we get.

I was also thinking the Cahokia Mounds might be a good destination as well (Ancient cultures just across the river has a nice ring to it).

 

Hmm, your a man after my heart Cahokia Mounds & Mesa Verde

 

He he. OK, currently I cannot make it these weekends:
July 29-30 (In Alaska )
October 10 (In Hawaii )

As long as it's pretty scenery, I'm happy!

 

There is also Fort Davidson in Pilot ****, MO. The Indian etchings at Washington Park are good too. I don't know if Precambrian bolders are "historical" but elephant rocks is down that way too.

 

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Hmm this is getting pretty interesting. Thanks Dan.