Below is the route our folks took when they went to starved rock. This would be a good drive. Takes about 2 hrs to get there from Schaumburg - if this is where we decide on going, what time should be leave? Any suggestions on a meeting place?
Starved Rock Fall Cruise - October 14, 2006
The week of the cruise started off as rainy and cold. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday temperatures reached the 30s and even a trace of snow in the air. The weather forecast said that the front would pass by late Thursday, and that Friday and Saturday would be sunny and mild.
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On Saturday, October 14, the sun rose to a cloudless sky with the temperature in the 30s and predicted to rise into the 50s. Vipers from northern Illinois and Wisconsin roared to our meeting point which was the McDonalds on Weber Road. Saturday morning was busy at McDonalds, and it was hard to find parking spaces for 19 Vipers.
At 9:40, the cars left and entered I-55 heading southwest. That number of Vipers was quite a sight for the oncoming traffic.
Because we wished not to make the entire trip on the interstate, we turned off on US 6 and headed west. At this intersection, three more Vipers joined the procession. The 22 Vipers made their way through the farm towns of Channahon, Morris, Seneca, Marseilles, and Ottawa. Turning on to State Route 71 in Ottawa, we proceeded to the south entrance of Starved Rock. This leg of the journey was most scenic as we traveled along the Illinois River. The road twisted and turned through the woodlands of vibrant fall colors. Upon arrival, we parked in the lodge parking lot where we were joined by another Viper from the Quad Cities.
A buffet lunch awaited us in the lodge where old friendships were renewed and new friendships were made. Our view was the Starved Rock and Illinois River.
After lunch we reassembled in the parking lot and drove our Vipers down the winding hill to the lower parking lot by the boat dock, while Judy purchased the tickets for the river cruise, Jim collected the people for a group photo. A member of the riverboat staff volunteered to take the photo.
We boarded the Belle of the Rock for a 45-minute cruise on the Illinois River. The riverlorian explained landmarks along the way and also some folklore about the river. Although the sun was shining brightly, there was a cold wind on the river which made couples cuddle together.
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It was determined that not everyone was in the first group photo, so Jim announced to the group that another photo would be taken when we disembarked. Again, the young lady from the boat staff was there to take our photo. At this point, the individual Vipers could leave for home or hike the trails, visit the gift shops and Visitors Center. This ended the cruise as the cars left for I-80 and the trip home
together somewhere near Starved Rock. 
(See ya tomorrow at 10am!!)
Thanks for taking care of it. See you all tomorrow.
. Robert, thanks for leading 
