October time traveling...a little closer to home

In keeping with tradition...sort of...the Other Half and yours truly once again were able to do a little bit of time traveling during the third weekend of October.

And, while we were on our adventures, we also were able to answer an age-old question...

As you may recall, for many years, in mid-October, we have taken a trip back in time. The journey involved a bit of a road trip which included some time on Illinois Route 146 and Interstate 24.

Our destination was the annual Fort Massac Encampment in Metropolis, which traditionally has been held during the third weekend of October. Except in 2020. Something about a pandemic.

The encampment took place last weekend. We’re still being rather cautious about being around thousands of people, so we decided to go on a time traveling adventure a little bit closer to home...and a little less crowded.

Our journey took us for a bit of a jaunt along the Lick Creek International Speedway, also known as Lick Creek Road. Not far north of Anna, we left Lick Creek Road and made a right turn onto Camp Ground Road.

Our time traveling on a bright, sunny and warm mid-October day in 2021 took us along part of what is designated as the original route of the Trail of Tears. The road took us to Camp Ground Church and Cemetery, which is east of Anna, not far from Interstate 57. As a matter of fact, when you get out of the car at the landmark church and cemetery, you can hear the traffic zooming by on the nearby interstate.

A Trail of Tears National Historic Trail marker on the grounds of the church and cemetery offers a little bit of history for readers:

“Home to thousands of men, women, and children, the Cherokee Nation once spread across parts of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. The 1830 Indian Removal Act required that the Cherokee surrender their land and move west.

“In 1838, more than 15,000 Cherokee began their trek west from their eastern homeland to Indiana Territory (present-day Oklahoma) over the ‘Trail of Tears.’ They traveled by roads and rivers, passing through southern Illinois. Nearly 1,000 died during the journey westward, and up to 4,000 died as a result of the forced removal process.”

Sobering words. Especially on such a beautiful October afternoon.

If you are not familiar with the story of the Trail of Tears, and its connection to the history of Union County, I would encourage you to look further into the story...you might even want to do a little bit of time traveling on a Saturday afternoon...

Meanwhile...

..something a little bit lighter...about the answer to that age-old question...

While we were motoring along Camp Ground Road, we came upon a gathering of chickens. (Camp Ground Road, by the way, is spelled incorrectly on Google maps, which lists the thoroughfare as “Campground Road.” Common mistake, I suppose.)

The chickens did not seem the least bit concerned about the possibility of being flattened by a chunk of metal and rubber tooling down what I am pretty sure they thought was their road.

Apparently, concerns about chickens crossing the road first surfaced in a magazine in New York City in 1847. I guess folks in New York City didn’t have much to do back then. If I were a chicken, I would probably be more concerned about crossing a road in New York City in 2021...just sayin’...

The chickens we saw last Saturday afternoon just kind of nonchalantly meandered along the side of the road, out into the road...and then...we had the question answered...

 ...the chickens crossed the road...to get to the other side...

And now you know...

...well, maybe...I did not specifically ask any of the chickens why they were crossing the road...guess the whole thing might still be a mystery after all...

...before we finish up with chickens, let me share a joke with you...

Why did the chicken cross the road? To prove to the possum that it could actually be done. Sorry...

Meanwhile...

...I saw a little snake crossing the road last Monday afternoon...which raises a whole new set of questions...which we will deal with another time...

Stay safe...

(One last thing...to the folks who share their appreciation and kind words about this column...thank you...it really means a lot...)