IL
166 ends at IL 13 east of Marion.
In
Harrisburg, now, IL 13 picks up IL 34. US 45 is just ahead.
This
very pretty road goes from the town of Equality (and IL 142) to the Garden
of the Gods
Still
on the road to the rocks. You really need to look for the signs
directing you to the Garden.
Quite
a large hill coming up.
Finally, I've made it to the Garden of the Gods. The little red sign says "Caution: High Cliffs Ahead."
The
Garden.
The
formations are pretty cool. These rocks were all covered in sandstone
millions of years ago, but an ancient sea eroded all of it leaving the bare
limestone. If you couldn't tell, the sea is now all dried up.
Looking
down.
The
walkway is built into the rocks.
A
look over what is sometimes called the Illinois Ozarks. This is where
the sea used to be.
More
rocks.
So
many pretty colors.
The
trees were even beginning to change color here.
Yes,
this must be where the gods hang out.
We're
pretty high up!
Wow,
a face is trying to get out of the rocks! Weird how nature does things
like that.
An
what looks to be a needle-like formation.
The
ferry from IL 1 to KY 91 in Cave-in-Rock. This marks the southern
terminus of IL 1, which is the longest state highway in Illinois. It
stretches from here all the way north to the city of Chicago.
There
is an Opry House in downtown Cave-in-Rock.
A
look at the Ohio River from the top of a big hill in Cave-in-Rock State
Park.
A
look to the east from the same place.
Looks
like the ferry is here.
Coming
down the big hill, down to the river level. The waves are round and
gentle here.
Looking
west on the Ohio. The cave is just behind the camera.
There
is a big crack in the middle of the cave. Also a hole at the top lets
some sunlight in.
You
can see the hole through the split in the top of the cave.
Looking
back at the mouth of the cave. It is dark back here, but nearer to the
mouth it is pretty light.
The
Ohio River from just inside the cave.
This
is what the cave looks like from the outside. There were lots of
little ankle-biters running around the cave and climbing its walls.
Back
on top of the hill, but in a different location, a look at the Ohio.
If
you fall down this hill, you'll go right into the river! This was my
last look at the Ohio on the trip (besides crossing it on the interstate).
The
bulk of the trip is over, so from here on out, only road scenes. JCT
IL 145 on IL 34 North.
IL
34 and IL 145 get together for a while near Mitchellsville. This is
still in the middle of Shawnee National Forest.
IL
141 has its western end here at US 45. Looking north.
IL
1 and IL 14 meet in Carmi.
I-71
NB in Kentucky. Some of this road is very pretty but most was just
boring.
And
finally, the Cincinnati skyline from I-71/75 NB on the Kentucky side still.