August 1st, 2021 … Summer of Fun continues! Day 5 Route 66 Caravan – Springfield, IL

Today was a free day to explore what you wanted to see in the Springfield MO area. We slept in and we went to see one of my favorite things, a covered bridge!

The Sugar Creek Covered Bridge crosses Sugar Creek southeast of Chatham, Illinois. Also called the Glenarm or Hedley Bridge. The Burr truss bridge is 110 feet long and 30 feet wide. The bridge was constructed by Thomas Black; sources disagree on the date of construction, placing it at either 1827 or 1880. 

The State of Illinois acquired the bridge in 1963 and extensively renovated it two years later. The bridge closed to traffic in 1984 and is now part of a local park with a picnic area. It is one of only five historic covered bridges in Illinois and is the oldest of the remaining bridges. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 9, 1978.

We used the remainder of the day to catch up on laundry and rest! Everyone needs a day like that now and then!

We did enjoy lunch at the Pizza Ranch, a chain buffet in the mid-west. Naturally, I pigged out on salad! Charlie also got a haircut!

I will tell you about the campground we are staying at, Double J Campground is located just south of Springfield. The new owners recently purchased the park. They purchased a gem! It's a beautiful place! The sites are mostly pull thrus, with shade on most sites! They all are gravel and pretty level. 

They have a beautiful pool, miniature golf and playground for the kids! They have a mowed walking trail that is almost a mile long. 

They also have a pavilion, which we are using tonight for our Yankee "grill" night. We set up a few grills, everyone brings something to grill and we enjoy a meal together.

Lynda & Erick purchased pies at the Apple Barn to share with everyone for dessert! An evening gathering would never be complete, if Rod did not do a few "little known facts" from a few of the caravanners!

Charlie found a kindred spirit in Gary, they both love their flip phones!

It was another great day with Yankee RV Tours!