Ep. 164: Land of Lincoln | Illinois travel RV camping

[@wellsonwheels457]

President Lincoln 💓 my favorite

[@scotbets]

I grew up in Iowa. My parents were from Illinois. We visited Springfield when I was a kid. It's time to haul the trailer back to the midwest and show this to my western raised wife.

[@GrandAdventure]

That sounds like a plan! A couple of years ago we probably wouldn't have made the trip, but we're truly enjoying our #AmericanHeartlandTour2020 this season.

[@helenmallazzo7094]

I love history

[@GrandAdventure]

As do we.

[@RVHobos]

Watched it for a second time, yeah it's that good.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much! It was wonderful to have you join us for tonight's premiere.

[@jacobijones4733]

Yeah, it is that good

[@GrandAdventure]

@@jacobijones4733 thank you so much!

[@lorih379]

Very beautiful and interesting.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks as always Lori!

[@michaelpeterson2122]

Great video Mark I always admired Mr Lincoln

[@GrandAdventure]

As did we, Michael, which is what drew us to that part of Illinois in the first place. Glad that you enjoyed this one.

[@curthiggins8792]

Nice place to enjoy a day or two and admire a simpler time....Illinois is a great state to visit. Much history there.

[@GrandAdventure]

Couldn't agree more Curt!

[@tomaustin4526]

Excellent video Marc!!! I just added a new must visit place to my bucket list. Always fun the way you tell a story about a new campground. I enjoy learning about the historical and unique attributes of each location y’all visit 👍😊🌎🌲🐿🌺 thanks for sharing and safe travels

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks as always Tom! We always love to hear from you, and your comments are always so colorful. Glad that we were able to inspire you to visit the Land of Lincoln!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

I would love to visit all this great Lincoln history. Sounds like since they have all those first hand counts, this replica should be pretty accurate. “Normal times” What is that? 😂. It’s been so long. Wow. That’s a great place near by but first come makes me nervous. Weird. I wonder why it’s empty? I like the reverse zoom. The son was right to stipulate those conditions for the donation of the family home. Good for him. As usual, a lot of great B roll. The memorial gets me emotional. I cant wait to explore the US more once we aren’t tied to certain areas. See you next time. Alice.

[@GrandAdventure]

Alice, it's getting hard to remember what "normal" looks like, isn't it?

[@CampTravelExplore]

Lincoln is my favorite president! I must make my way there someday and see the sights! Great video as usual!

[@GrandAdventure]

You should! Thank you Tom.

[@denisedooley20]

Every Wednesday we look forward to your new video. Your channel is very informative and we enjoy seeing all your adventures. Thank you for your inspiration to explore!

[@GrandAdventure]

And thank YOU for sharing your kind words, and for coming along. We appreciate you Denise!

[@spellmadam2947]

Love the historical site stops! Great presentation.

[@GrandAdventure]

Many thanks as always, Spell Madam!

[@helenmallazzo7094]

The drone shots cant be beat, beautifil

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always Helen!

[@cheriwaller7598]

That was fascinating!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Cheri! We're very happy that you enjoyed it.

[@garyjordan299]

Marc, as always a FANTASTIC video. Stay safe my Friend!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Gary! Hope you'll join us for tonight's Premiere in 21 minutes, it's a pretty special episode.

[@ngml320]

Thank you so much for this.

[@GrandAdventure]

You are so welcome Norbert!

[@ngml320]

I'm from the Land of Lincoln

[@alanjones9884]

Good video. Thank you.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank YOU Alan!

[@beach3girl459]

Never been to Abe's neighborhood. Thanks for the peek!

[@GrandAdventure]

Our pleasure, thanks for watching!

[@jwrappuhn71]

Excellent vid Marc.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always John!

[@maryrutherford6516]

Mark, love your videos. I want to invite y’all back to the south in spring when the humidity is nonexistent. North Alabama is one you need to explore. Little river canyon, Guntersville lake is a must. Thanks for taking us on your grand adventures

[@GrandAdventure]

Deal! We'd love to get back there -- the entire SE from LA to the FL panhandle intrigues us. The history, the culture, and the natural beauty are all things that we want to experience down there. Spring is admittedly tough for us as our ski season in Utah lasts until May, and 2020 presented a unique opportunity to get on the road earlier in the year than normal when the ski areas all closed mid-March due to COVID. But we'll get there in an upcoming season, more likely in fall.

[@maryrutherford6516]

Grand Adventure make it late fall cause the devils heat (humidity) is stifling

[@garymann5998]

Nice video Marc, the old cabins and fencing was really great to see, the Lincoln heritage in Illinois is very interesting and well preserved, your video footage and narrating is superb as always, travel safe.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always, Gary, and thank you for sharing your thoughts. We sincerely appreciate that, and wish you and your safe travels and happy trails as well.

[@bobpeg7457]

Also Abraham Lincoln National Historic Park in Illinois. Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Indiana

[@GrandAdventure]

And Bob, you can add to that list Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in Kentucky. Of course we opted to focus on sites in and around Springfield, but we'll see the others someday, too.

[@laughingram7287]

Real nice area. Everything looks so mellow. Hard to believe that it is in the same state as Chicago. Great camp site! So much history in such a small area. It would have been even better if it wasn’t all shut up. As usual, you did an excellent video and filled it with wonderful information. Do you think you would like to go back a second time to any of these places that you have visited on this heartland tour? Thanks Marc! 👍🏼 👍🏽

[@GrandAdventure]

Definitely, Ram -- there are always places that we miss or run out of time to see while we're in an area. However, we're always pulled to places we haven't been before, so it's somewhat of a conundrum. From this season thus far, we'll definitely return to the Smokies and the UP. We just loved the Smokies and you could spend many weeks there doing stuff. For the UP, there's still a lot of that area that we want to see but haven't yet.

[@laughingram7287]

UP?

[@GrandAdventure]

@@laughingram7287 Upper Peninsula of Michigan

[@laughingram7287]

I just watched the Wisconsin video and figured out the UP term. Thank you Marc.

[@LivinginOurNow]

Lived in Decatur for 3 years... never took the time to explore any of this area! This video makes me regret that - thanks for sharing!

[@GrandAdventure]

Our pleasure! Next time you're passing through, take a few days to take it all in.

[@rik8809]

I’ve been to Lincoln’s New Salem multiple times, and the campground is usually pretty full. There’s a KOA on the east side of Springfield that’s decent.

[@GrandAdventure]

Yup, we saw that KOA, Rik. The host at Lincoln's New Salem told us that the park is typically pretty empty aside from two week-long special events each year (but not this year due to COVID). Apparently your experience differs from that.

[@rik8809]

This was definitely not a typical year there due to COVID-19. Normally they have volunteers at some of the houses in Lincoln’s New Salem. They are very interesting to talk to. The next time you pass through Illinois, you should check out Starved Rock State Park. It’s a beautiful place and unique to the area.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@rik8809 I remember seeing the sign for Starved Rock, thanks for the tip!

[@georgecarpenter4126]

This is definitely on our bucket list. Hopefully, we’ll get there soon when things open up. Safe travels.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you George, same to you and yours!

[@debmig4444]

Just did this trip last week and had a great time. Thanks for always giving us great ideas!

[@GrandAdventure]

That's fantastic! Sounds like you enjoyed yourselves as much as we did.

[@Racnmasn]

Would of never been able to see this thank you! 🙏

[@GrandAdventure]

In that case we're happy to have brought you there, Mason! Thank YOU!

[@conniewaite1996]

We went there last summer,it was nice.we only live a couple hrs from there.

[@GrandAdventure]

I assume you were camping? Where did you stay?

[@conniewaite1996]

@@GrandAdventure just a day trip,we dont live that far away

[@GrandAdventure]

@@conniewaite1996 Roger that.

[@allij7947]

Fabulous video and narration. Added this park to the list....another GA recommendations. Just finished Grant by Ron Chernow so Lincoln has been on my mind. You may enjoy Valley Forge in Pa. Thanks for the time you devote to sharing with us.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Alli! As Northeastern natives ourselves we'll definitely get back that way in future seasons. 2020 just wasn't the year to do so.

[@montyhowell6050]

We seem to share travel style and interests. If you get to my Hoosier state, I think you'd like Turkey Run State Park and Shades S.P. They're great 3-6 mile hikes in wooded and hilly/rocky areas. Shades S.P. is almost connected there in the western part of the state, above Terre Haute. There is great floating and kayaking on Sugar Creek, inside the park. Outfitters can take you upstream. The southern third of the state is the most wooded and scenic. Lake Monroe, near Bloomington in the south, the Hoosier National Forest and the Hardin RIdge campground there, are highlights. I bring my kayak, as you do, and paddle from the ramp there. Doubt you could see the lake in three days by paddle, it's big. We're in Bloomington, if stars cross, love to meet you guys. I'm sure you have thousands of such offers--ha. Friend request me on FB if it happens.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks for the tips Monty! We'll get there at some point in subsequent seasons, so we'll be sure to jot down your suggestions and do our best to take advantage of them. The best way to keep track of where we are in near real-time is to follow our FB, Twitter and Instagram pages, for our videos are most often several weeks behind reality.

[@CampingTherapy]

Great video. I love looking at old cabins and small towns.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you, we love filming and sharing them. And thanks for coming to our Premiere event tonight!

[@herniedog4641]

Born in Springfield Ill raised in Petersburg Ill

[@GrandAdventure]

Sounds like we had your whole childhood pretty much covered here!

[@stuwardw]

Very cool, you can even make Illinois look somewhat nice, that is no easy feat. Thanks Marc!

[@GrandAdventure]

LOL! This was our only stop in Illinois, so we have no basis for comparison, but we did truly enjoy our time in the Springfield area.

[@jonminer9891]

Hi, GA. Great Drone work again. It is strange to see so few people out and about. I hope the USA opens up soon. Thanks for sharing! Stay healthy!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Jon, and same to you! We filmed most of downtown Springfield on a Sunday afternoon, so that might explain the dearth of people. As for the campground, the host indicated that it gets busy there only for two festival week events a season (both of which are canceled for 2020), otherwise it's as empty as we found it. We were a bit concerned driving there knowing that it was entirely first-come, first-served, but we now know that we had little to be concerned about.

[@scenicdriveways6708]

Nice video Marc Beautiful state park. It's a shame everything was closed. Was that a Log Cabin Travel Trailer? LOL ( pretty dang cool ). Sorry we missed you live last night , we were watching a movie on Tubi and lost track of time. Blessings my friend. Safe travels. JT

[@GrandAdventure]

Happy that you watched it JT, no matter when you do. Appreciate it! Be safe down there yourselves in Cannonville.

[@scenicdriveways6708]

@@GrandAdventure I'm really itching to leave Cannonville to go see something different.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@scenicdriveways6708 that's understandable, this is the second full summer in a row that you've spent there.

[@marianfrances4959]

Love me an empty park! Would love to see those log buildings, even closed up like that. Nice to be in the trees! Thanks Mark + Mrs.! 😉🇨🇦

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank YOU as always Marian!

[@2012escapee1]

😃

[@scottadamson890]

Looked like one of the first RV's outside Lincolns house, lol. Another wonderful video, thank you.

[@GrandAdventure]

Pretty much, Scott - thank you!

[@susanabejarano8690]

Hola mi esposo y yo miramos tus vídeos y amemos visto que as andado acá cercas de Chatsworth ga acá ay muchos lugares hermosos de mucha naturaleza mándanos saludos please

[@GrandAdventure]

Gracias Susana! Disfrutamos mucho de Georgia, estábamos muy cerca de Chatsworth y definitivamente volveremos.

[@captainmc0685]

Another great adventure, love the old cabins and the history. Well done and I know y`all are have a wonderful " Grand Adventure".

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks as always Cap'n!

[@gorrdd]

Very nice Marc. I loved seeing the old log cabins. Actually, they were milled log cabins... except for the chimneys. Abe's biggest downfall was going to Washington and mixing with the power crowd. His marriage didn't fare the better for it and neither did his reputation. In the end it cost him his life. Nevertheless, I loved seeing the country through your lens and narration. Kinda flat though... aye? Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Gord! One thing we explained about those cabins, that some viewers may have missed, is that they were all recreations constructed on the original foundations by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. They're old, but not as old as the buildings that they represent.

[@gorrdd]

@@GrandAdventure I assume they were built to the original design? Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

@@gorrdd Yes, you assume correctly.

[@e-square9976]

Grand Adventure!!!! Always there for us to put the hump of Wednesday in our rear view mirror and bring to light the promise of New Horizons and new adventures! Thanks to Marc, Patricia and Zoe for making life truly a ..... G____ A________!👍👍👍👍

[@GrandAdventure]

Love ya! ♥️

[@kenmcelroy7250]

Everyone is fleeing Illinois, probably why the campground was empty. Those of us who remain can’t afford to camp!

[@GrandAdventure]

The camp host (who's now in his 14th year there) told us that except for the weeks that they hold two specific events (both of which are canceled this year), it pretty much always looks like this.

[@kenmcelroy7250]

Grand Adventure I’m a Deputy Sheriff for Clinton County Illinois. I’ve been a full time RV’er for three years. I have a contract with the Corps if Engineers for their COPS IN CAMPGROUNDS PROGRAM. I live full time at Carlyle Lake in Southern Illinois. Just what I’ve observed the last three years is state campgrounds have less operating budgets ever year and some are sadly falling in dis-repair. The Federally maintained campgrounds are in far better shape and are far safer than the state campgrounds in Illinois. Illinois is reaping what it has sown over many years of mis -management. Anyway enjoy your channel. Peace out stay safe!

[@GrandAdventure]

@@kenmcelroy7250 that's sad to hear, and certainly you have a unique perspective to know. That said, I can honestly say that although the pedestals at Lincoln's New Salem were clearly aging, the facilities were generally in very good shape at that campground. As for the rest of Illinois, though, we really have no point of reference ourselves. Thanks for letting us know!

[@h3bysuzanne184]

Who the heck gave this a thumbs down? Probably are holding a load in their drawers :D lol Beautiful video! Thank you for showing us what we may have not yet seen.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Suzanne! There's always at least one in every crowd (or for every video). 😄

[@moneybee]

They say there's a Springfield in all 50 states, but the Land O' Lincoln one is certainly the best! Really great video, theres so much to see in this country, and with travel being my primary passion (and driver behind my financial journey) I love seeing videos like this! Glad I found your channel, just subscribed, keep it up!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thrilled to have you along. Must be 51 Springfields, you forgot about The Simpsons. ;)

[@gorrdd]

Keep hitting that button and it won't start! Ain't time yet... I guess 🤔

[@GrandAdventure]

Haha! Yep, there's a countdown on the screen...starts at the top of the hour.

[@gorrdd]

@@GrandAdventure Roger...

[@BonnysOneStepAhead]

Great vlog, love the greenery, great weather.....I make travel vlogs too, if u want , u can visit my Channel 😊

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Bonny, we'll check it out!