Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site: Underground Railroad Station

Indiana’s fourth grade students study the state’s history, as we found out first-hand when we visited the Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site in Fountain City. Over a hundred students were visiting on a field trip that day. Apparently that’s common during spring field trip season. I can understand why, since Levi and Catherine Coffin were instrumental in helping over 2,000 runaway slaves, or freedom seekers as they were called, escape to Canada over a twenty-year period. Between student groups, site director Joanna Hahn gave us a tour as she told the fascinating story of this couple whose lives were devoted to helping freedom seekers along the path to a free life. Read more

Where to Eat in Morgan County, Indiana

Connie Food & Drink, Indiana February 13, 2018February 11, 2018Cedar Creek Winery, Come n Get It Mooresville, Gray Bros Cafeteria, Gray Brothers Cafeteria, Martinsville Candy Kitchen, Morgan County Restaurants, Squealers Barbecue, Squealers Barbecue Grill, Squealers BBQ, Tomato Pizza Pie Joint, Where to eat in Morgan County, Zydeco's Mooresville 2 Comments

During a Midwest Travel Bloggers Twitter chat I won several gift certificates to Morgan County, Indiana, restaurants. Skip and I had already eaten at a few Morgan County restaurants that we loved and were excited to taste more of the area’s cuisine. So last summer we scheduled a trip to Morgan County mainly for the culinary experiences. While the atmosphere at all of the restaurants we tried is casual, each has its own unique cuisine. Read more

Exploring Five Abraham Lincoln Home Sites

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky February 6, 2018March 27, 2024abraham lincoln, Abraham Lincoln Homes, Lincoln, Lincoln Birthplace, Lincoln Boyhood Home, Lincoln home Decatur, Lincoln Home Sites, Lincoln Home Springfield 4 Comments

Most Americans know that Abraham Lincoln, the nation’s sixteenth president, lived a modest childhood. He was born in a log cabin in Kentucky and moved with his family to other cabins in Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois until striking out on his own when he was 22 years old. Over the past few years, we’ve visited five Lincoln home sites, all of which are designated state or national historic sites.

Book Review: Detour Nebraska

Connie Nebraska, Shopping January 30, 2018January 30, 2018Detour Nebraska, travel books, travel guides 0 Comment

If you love history and enjoy traveling the Midwest, be sure to read Detour Nebraska (The History Press, 2017). Part history lesson and part historic attraction guide, author Gretchen M. Garrison guides you through Nebraska region by region. She explains the history of a city or attraction and shares details of what the attraction offers today. Read more

Where to Eat in Alton, Illinois

Connie Food & Drink, Illinois January 23, 2018January 26, 2018Alton Illinois restaurants, Alton Restaurants, Bluff City Grill, Castelli's, Castelli's Restaurant at 255, Great Rivers Tap & Grill, Great Rivers Tap and Grill, My Just Desserts, Old Bakery Beer Company, Tony's Restaurnat, Tonys Restaurant Alton, Where to eat in Alton Illinois 2 Comments

Over the past few years we’ve eaten in several Alton restaurants. It seems every time we visit Alton, Illinois, new great eating establishments have opened, while iconic restaurants continue to thrive. Here are some of the restaurants we’ve enjoyed during our Alton visits. Read more

Why Alton is Perfect for Eagle Watching

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Missouri January 16, 2018January 26, 2018Bald Eagles, Eagle Watching in Alton, Eagles, Eagles on the Mississippi, Visit Alton, Where to see Eagles in Illinois 4 Comments

As the weather turns cold, American Bald Eagles migrate from Canada south, down the Mississippi Flyway. They winter near open water, in search of fresh food. Humans, in turn, flock to where the eagles are, hoping to get a glimpse—or a great camera shot—of the majestic U.S. national bird. Alton, Illinois, is the perfect place for eagle watching. Here’s why: Read more

Midwest Wanderer explores history, nature, and culture through road trips along scenic and historic U.S. highways, byways and trails

Destinations