Who’d have thought?  Despite all the Illinois license plates in Wisconsin Dells, turns out they have a “Dells” of their own.  I only saw one water park, however.

http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=41.30824,-89.04247&z=14&t=T

Matthessian State Park in Oglesby; the Vermillion River cuts deep into sandstone bedrock on its way to joining the Illinois River just upstream from an impressive, valley-spanning bridge on I-39.  It is quite literally the only interesting terrain anywhere on I-39 in Illinois.  Dozens of miles of flat vistas of corn and soybeans flank this one imposing place making its contrast with its surroundings all the more outstanding.

I stocked up on cupcakes from a place in nearby North Utica and had a very agreeable dinner at an inconspicuous bar and grill in downtown Oglesby called M.J.’s.  Shabby on the outside, modern and welcoming on the inside.  A framed portrait of Brian Urlacher and Aaron Rodgers staring each other down during the 2011 NFC Championship game graces the back bar:

(photo credit-http://www.tddaily.com/static/uploads/2013/05/Aaron+Rodgers+Brian+Urlacher+2011+NFC+Championship+xIUEkRI7xDwl.jpg)

No partisan rhetoric, just two outstanding athletes exchanging professional pleasantries between plays.  And I saw it mounted on the wall in a bar in the heart of Bear Country.  Now that’s some ‘love of the game’ type stuff right there.  It’s like symbolism and junk.

-reporting from Exit 54 in Oglesby, Illinois