Polar and Katie Travel to Marion, IL

On March 26, 2010, Polar and I traveled to Marion, IL to visit the Williamson County Train Station. It is currently closed and open for tourism. The railroad company will open during Christmas to offer rides up to the "North Pole" to visit Santa! I had the priveledge of going up to see him this Christmas! While the train station has been closed for years now, the crossing tracks at the railroad station are still very much active. Although in 1986, travel changed quite a bit. On the afternoon of September 8, 1986, the #17 train in Marion, IL was out switching coal hoppers when the dry-pipe inside the boiler suddenly collapsed and indefinitely put the engine out of service. The CO&E Railroad's fame of pulling common carrier freight trains, including intermodal piggyback cars, with a steam locomotive finally came to an abrupt end due to this incident. The incident also marked the end for American-wide railroading in general. As it was, the railroad had been preparing for the post-steam era. The arrival of the diesels was evidence to this. Although the railroad station is inactive, it holds quite a lot of history of travel in the area. Polar and I traveled 36 miles total...that means that Polar has traveled a total of 5431.26 miles!

Polar Bear and Sam travel to Anna, IL

Polar and I traveled to Anna, IL on March 23rd, 2012. It was a beautiful sunny day, so Polar and I decided to check out 511 South Main Street where Abraham Lincoln stayed during the debate of 1855. It is a beautiful 3000 sqft home that is currently up for sale. How cool would it be to live in a home where our 16th president stayed at? Our total, round-trip miles were a total of 40.6 and it took approximately 27 minutes to reach our destination. All together Polar has traveled 5395.26 miles! Wow, polar must be exhausted by now. Blog created by Samantha Lamb

Molly Brown Travels to New Orleans- Tessa Richardson

Molly Brown loved New Orleans so much when she went with Erin in February, that she traveled there again with me from March 14 through the 18th! Molly and I spent Spring Break, St. Patrick's day, and my birthday in New Orleans. We traveled all around the city!! Her favorite historical spot was in front of the Andrew Jackson statue. The statue is located in Jackson Square, which marks the place of the original settlement of New Orleans, known at the time as Place d'Armes.

From 1762-1803, New Orleans was ceded to Spain in the Treaty of Paris and served as the Capital of the French Province in Louisiana. After being returned to French control in 1801, the city was part of land that was sold to the United States in the Louisiana purchase in 1803. After the battle of New Orleans, the final battle of the War of 1812, the plaza was renamed in honor of General Andrew Jackson, who would go on to be the 7th president of the United States.

Today Jackson Square is a park and the center of the French Quarter. Many artist, musicians, and entertainers surround this area entertaining the mass amounts of tourists there. We had a blast!!

Me and Molly traveled a total of 1216 miles to New Orleans and back!! That means Molly has traveled a total of 4260.6 miles!!!

Polar travels to the Astronaut Hall of Fame

On March 12, 2012, Polar and I visited the Astronaut Hall of Fame. The Astronaut Hall of Fame is located next to the Kennedy Space Center near Orsino, Florida. Polar was able to travel from Daytona, Florida to Orsino by motorcycle. He told me later that he loved the feeling of the wind in his hair. The Astronaut Hall of Fame is home to a rare collection of astronaut artifacts, as well as many displays dedicated to the heros of space exploration. Polar and I traveled a total of 1,902.03 miles. This means that Polar has now traveled a total of 5,354.66 miles!! (Polar is located in the helmet of the astronaut statue)

Polar enjoyed a day with some great new potato friends.

Polar travels to Garden of the Gods-Denver

On February 29, 2012, Polar and I took a trip to Garden of the Gods. Garden of the Gods is located in Herod, Illinois and is part of the Shawnee National Forest. We traveled a total of 124.2 miles round trip. This means that Polar has traveled a total of 3,452.58 miles. More than 320 million years ago, the wind and rain patiently started to chisel away at large deposits of sedimentary rock located in what is now, Shawnee National Forest. Over the years, the elements have sculpted some of the most stunning and extraordinary rock formations known to man. This garden of sandstone sculptures and vast untouched wilderness was fittingly named Garden of the Gods. I have always lived very close to Garden of the Gods and try to visit every fall. If one has never visited Garden of the Gods, it is a site that one must see. There are information posts at different sites that teach about the history of Garden of the Gods. When visiting Garden of the Gods, one can view the beautiful sites and learn about the history and formation of Southern Illinois. I am so fortunate to live so close to this natural beauty.