Northern Illinois Celebrates - The Rock is Open, anyone up for a mini-run?

Rustyknight · 09-06-2008, 11:30 AM

To All

IDOT has performed a miracle, Rt 71 through Starved Rock is open. I made the run last night on my way home from work, the last two culverts are paved and fresh grass has been planted! The only downside last night was I got stuck behind a mini-van doing about 20 mph

If anyone is interested in a small mini Rock run, maybe the weekend of September 13th or 20th, Saturady or Sunday mini Rock run with maybe lunch at Cajun Connection............

Feel free to speak up if you are interested.

I'll probably run tomorrow from Old Stage road in Morris all the way to Rt 178 in Utica and confirm there are no other impediments

**SkyBaby** · 09-06-2008, 11:33 AM

Let me know what time you are going tomorrow and where you are leaving from.. maybe I can join ya. SkyBaby

Rustyknight · 09-06-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyBaby

Let me know what time you are going tomorrow and where you are leaving from.. maybe I can join ya. SkyBaby

Not quite sure on the timing, right now I'm thinking maybe 11 or noon to start the run in Morris but I'm not quite sure where I'll be before that, I may start in North Aurora and run down 47 to Morris, or I may be in the LaSalle/Ottawa area, depends on what is going on tomorrow. If I start from home and you want run along, we could meet up at the truck stop at Rt 34 & I39 or if I'm in North Aurora we could meet up at the I88 & Rt47 interchange or if it the road is open maybe the Orchard road interchange at the Saturn dealer lot.

I'll post later tonight once I figure out what I'm doing

**SkyBaby** · 09-06-2008, 04:36 PM

Sounds good....... SkyBaby

Rustyknight · 09-07-2008, 11:29 AM

Looks like I won't be going out today, but Sami & I will be making a mini-run on the 21st, if anyone else wants to meet us in Morris. We will start at the same place we started last time, and make the same run except since the park is open we will go all the way through to Rt178 and then run across the river to (tentativily Cajun Connection or some other resturant), then run the route in reverse back to Morris, & then up Rt47 to I88. Anyone interested we will kick off from the truck stop in morris around 11AM Sunday the 21st.

**SkyBaby** · 09-07-2008, 11:43 AM

Ok..... sounds good... I dont really feel up to going outside today anyway... dang arthritis.... but... not sure if that will be too soon after my surgery to be out and about.. but, I will keep checking updates just in case I feel ok to go. SkyBaby

ihawk95 · 09-08-2008, 03:52 PM

RK...I'm in!!! If you want to pre run this Sunday ...I can do. Let me know. Also, you know how we turned around at the plant...(if you want to go that way) I hear you can get through it. So if you want to come out Marseilles and head east, we can check that out.

This works well as I'm thinking about making Starved Rock into a weekend next year rather than doing something in Chicago. I want to check out some potential roads just north of Streator. Also need to get over by Princeton & Hennepin. I know the bikes frequent that area. If they like it, so should we!

I can't believe it's open! Starting the thread on the Sol Side as well!!!

Rustyknight · 09-08-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihawk95

RK...I'm in!!! If you want to pre run this Sunday ...I can do. Let me know. Also, you know how we turned around at the plant...(if you want to go that way) I hear you can get through it. So if you want to come out Marseilles and head east, we can check that out.

This works well as I'm thinking about making Starved Rock into a weekend next year rather than doing something in Chicago. I want to check out some potential roads just north of Streator. Also need to get over by Princeton & Hennepin. I know the bikes frequent that area. If they like it, so should we!

I can't believe it's open! Starting the thread on the Sol Side as well!!!

Yes, I got the word they open the road early last week. So I went ahead and ran the Ogelsby to Ottawa section last week on the way home from work...

ihawk95 · 09-08-2008, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustyknight

Yes, I got the word they open the road early last week. So I went ahead and ran the Ogelsby to Ottawa section last week on the way home from work...

Awesome! I posted on the Sol side already!

ihawk95 · 09-09-2008, 02:01 PM

FYI...there is a Vintage Illinois Wine Festival at Matthieson State Park on Sunday the 21st as well. 12-5 pm.

Information can be found here:

Vintage Illinois Wine Tasting Info

Some friends from work are interested in going. Looks like there is some live music that day as well. If anyone wants to go, I'll probably stop and do this.

Rustyknight · 09-09-2008, 02:32 PM

I talked to "Ragin Cajun Ron" this morning, and am working on getting a menu posted here and on the Sol side, just so you know not everything there is spicey so if you don't like spicey food not to worry ragin Ron will fix you up.

Anyone who thinks they might want to join in the run just post here or on the Sol side:

Confirmed:
RustyKnight & FrazzeledDamsel
iHawk95
RickTinleyPark

Maybes:
SkyBaby
MountainKing
mikep77
AwsmSky

Rick Tinley Park · 09-09-2008, 03:35 PM

Let me check the 21st.... Love the wine idea!

AwsmSky · 09-10-2008, 12:23 AM

I need to double-check the calendar as well, but Keith & I would be interested in the run, and quite possibly the wine event. I'll let you know asap.
~ Shelley

Rustyknight · 09-10-2008, 05:39 PM

Anyone interested in info about Cajun Connection ?

Here's a link to their website, it includes photos, recipes, the menu, etc...

Menu items include Aligator, Crawfish, Jambalaya, Shrimp, Burgers, etc

Ron's Cajun Connection

Lunch will probably be around $10 - $20 per person (my guess is the top menu item would be about $18 and a basic sandwich with fries might be around $8-$9 don't shoot me if I'm little off)

Rick Tinley Park · 09-12-2008, 12:10 PM

May be solo -- but WHY not!!??