A while back, we planned a trip even though Ray was dealing with some back issues and not feeling his best. After I gave ChatGPT a few details and asked for a destination suggestion, it recommended the Shawnee National Forest and Garden of the Gods in southern Illinois. Driving the interstates from our home in northwest Illinois would have taken 6.5 to 7 hours, but we prefer to avoid interstate travel and long stretches in the car.
We decided to go through Pontiac, Illinois, to visit some Route 66 attractions. This most legendary highway, is celebrating 100 years this year (2026),
then continue to Arthur to explore the Amish businesses. Our plan was to arrive at our rental near Junction, Illinois, next to Shawnee National Forest, on the third day. On the way back, we planned to spend two nights in Springfield, Illinois, before returning home.
On day one, we ate lunch at the Edinger's Filling Station in Pontiac. This nostalgic service station themed restaurant blends Route 66 history with classic dining.
The food was good too! We both had breakfast food (me - bacon and eggs, Ray - sausage and biscuits) and shared an order of their famous fried macaroni. Our waitress said people usually love it or hate it. I loved it, Ray not so much. The macaroni had onions and smoked gouda cheese.
We walked around downtown and enjoyed the murals. It took us quite a while to find the iconic one. It's actually on the back of a building and is fenced off for some work being done.
A merchant told us how to maneuver around the fence and we found these murals in the same area.
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The merchant told us that people often ask where
the ice cream shop is because they want to eat there. |
There is a nice quilt shop in Pontiac but it is closed on Monday (when we were there). Our rental the first evening was in Fairbury, IL. I decided we didn't need to back track to the quilt shop the next day when I found the Lost Arts Fabric Store was less then a block from our rental. I was looking for backing for a few donation quilts and I found the first two backs on sale at this nice shop. I have a habit of taking a photo of my fabric pieces on top of the selected fabric so I know what's what when I get home.
We drove to Arthur the next day and arrived in time for lunch. My brother told me they love Yoder's Kitchen and we planned to eat there for lunch but... they had a broccoli casserole on the buffet so that meant I couldn't eat anything that was near it on the buffet. (I have a severe allergy to broccoli). Anyway we headed to Pauly's BBQ and had a great lunch. I loved the menu for the non smoker.
Guess we were both smokers! I enjoyed ribs and Ray had pulled pork.
We stopped at a few of the Amish businesses in the country. At one fabric shop, I found some cotton to go with a piece of flannel. I needed the backing and also something to put with the flannel. Not sure how I'll make this quilt yet.
We visited a couple of Amish grocery stores and found some treats and food for the days ahead. In town, we visited Stitch and Sew Fabrics. I found backs for four more quilts. And they were all on sale! |
| Two quilts will have this backing. |
Our rental the second night was in Arthur and we enjoyed a quiet evening as we listened to the clip clop of the horses pulling the buggies by our house.
Stay tuned for more...
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