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Ralph, et al.,
Well, I checked all the small towns around here and can't find any special events. There are local AA meetings and a Sex Addicts Anonymous meeting which may be of interest to some of you and you know who you are... There's a storytelling festival here in Sterling but that wouldn't be anything new for some of you guys! But most of the special events are either behind us by a week or two, or starting on Sept 8th.
You may want to consider taking Rt 38 west from Chicago to Dixon, then go north on Rt 2. Rt 2 is mostly west of the river, so by the time you get there, you shouldn't have to look into the sun to see the river scenery. Grand Detour, with the John Deere Homestead, is just north of Dixon. The grounds are probably open, but I don't think there are any special events planned. If you want to stop at White Pines, it's about a 10 mile detour west off Rt 2, otherwise continue north, have dinner at Maxon's on the river and then decide how much of a hurry you're in to get home. You could take I 90 from Rockford, continue north on 20 and 251 to 173 and take the long way home through some of the same area we covered last fall, or take 72 home through Chris's neighborhood. I take 173 east from 23 a lot when I go up to southeastern WI. It has some long straight sections, goes through a few little towns and also has some scenic areas with some curves here and there. 173 will get you farther east without running into traffic than any of the other E-W roads, but then you'll be way north of Chicago...maybe take 12 southeast back into the city.
Whatever you guys do, be careful!! There'll be lots of cars and cops out and it will be easy to get into trouble.
Have a safe drive; wish I could go along,
Lowell
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