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The first response to PostcardGoon from Teh Jey

Roadside America - January 2006

and the message? a flying pig.

Roadside America - January 2006

On January 2, The MO and I took a spur of the moment road trip to Illinois and followed the rails. Right before we crossed the state line, we stopped at a gas station and I bought a disposable camera. That started a trend of driving and photographing roadside America. So here is my photoset - Roadside America. I hope you enjoy!

Roadside America - January 2006

We stopped in Goodland, IN to take some pictures with a train that was stopped there. This is actually where we got the idea to follow the railroad for the first trip.

Roadside America - January 2006

Right across the state line is a small bump in the road. It is a couple houses and a street, and this beautiful abandoned rail station. We pulled off to take pictures (obviously).

Roadside America - January 2006

This is the best angle we could get from inside. If you have any idea what that shelving is, please let me know.

Roadside America - January 2006

The first town we stopped in was the bizarro little burg of Sheldon. After being accosted by a scary pregnant teenage redneck, we pulled into town and took some pictures of the truly weird architechture in town. This is an odd building that appears to have a giant iron gargoyle on top of it.

Roadside America - January 2006

Crecent City, IL is the home of what was a horrendous rail accident. Basically an entire train-load of explosive gas, well, exploded. Reducing the town to a pile of smoking rubble. We visited the memorial - ten feet from the place where the explosion started.

Roadside America - January 2006

Scott in Jail in Crecent City, IL.

Roadside America - January 2006

After Crecent City, we turned north in the Town of Gillman. No photographs of Gillman�s rail station as it is still in use, and not horribly photogenic.

Roadside America - January 2006

Ashkum, IL is as far north as we went before turning home. Scott had a three hour drive after dropping me off, but we will go back to Illinois another day hopefully. Their station was well kempt, but unfortunately completely tar papered shut.

Roadside America - January 2006

After a weekend apart, we decided another trip must be made. I was intrigued by some information I found about a Korean war era watchtower in the semi-nearby town of Cairo, Indiana.

Roadside America - January 2006

"They Also Serve Who Stand And Watch" The engraving on the monument. Operation Watchtower is a throwback to the days before nationwide radar. The man woman and child on the monument represent the volunteers who worked the tower watching for soviet planes.

Roadside America - January 2006

The remnants of the watchtower on a grey January day. This was once staffed day and night by 90 people year round in all kinds of weather.

Roadside America - January 2006

A tattered flag flying at a sight that was once a proud testimate to the US� Civil Defense.

Roadside America - January 2006

Not much of the watchtower is left. I presume this gate blocked the access to the tower at one time.

Roadside America - January 2006

Apparently you can�t hunt or fish off of it.

Roadside America - January 2006

This monument brought to you by the apartment of Civil Defense

Roadside America - January 2006

Part of the Skywarn network - a unique insignia for a unique program.

Roadside America - January 2006

While getting close-ups of the various insignias on the monument I hear Scott exclaim, �What�s that?!�

Roadside America - January 2006

What was it? A geocache!

Roadside America - January 2006

Entries from the geocache.

Roadside America - January 2006

The grand exchange - a Tambourine for one of my Ankh earrings.

Roadside America - January 2006

A picture of some of the handcut stamps from the logbook.

Roadside America - January 2006

I firmly believe in leaving things better than you found them. We rebagged the geocache better than when we found it.

Roadside America - January 2006

We replaced the geocache, and left Cairo, fond memories everlasting.

Roadside America - January 2006

After the Cairo trip, we hoofed it home via the railroad. Finding ourselves in Battleground, IN and taking a moment to photograph a dilapidated building I�d never noticed before.

Roadside America - January 2006

There wasn�t really much inside. Just some tires and random junk, but here�s a picture of a chimney or some such that acted as a skylight.

Roadside America - January 2006

And the door to nowhere.

Roadside America - January 2006

Some random signage nearby.

Roadside America - January 2006

Before hitting home, I indulged Scott�s curiosity with a trip to Monon, IN. Anyone who�s been there, knows how exciting that can be.

Roadside America - January 2006

One more shot before we went home for the day

Roadside America - January 2006

Sunday we still hadn�t gotten over our wanderlust and headed for Delphi, IN. After pulling across the bridge, we spotted a historic marker I had never noticed before.

Roadside America - January 2006

We stopped in at the new Wabash and Erie Canal Interpretive Center. A fabulously done museum with all kinds of interaction. Afterwards, we walked along part of the canal. This is a random building near the Interpretive Center�s Compound, it was dilapidated enough to catch my attention.

Roadside America - January 2006

Interior shot through door.

Roadside America - January 2006

A bridge across the canal.

Roadside America - January 2006

Ornament on Bridge.

Roadside America - January 2006

The color definitely stands out.

Roadside America - January 2006

We found this intriguing looking building on the way back from the Canal Interpretive Center.

Roadside America - January 2006

A shot of the inside of the collapsed building.

Roadside America - January 2006

Another interior shot - sorry, abandoned places always fascinate me. I hope you enjoyed this. Any knowledge of the places or buildings we visited is greatly appreciated, and I�m more than happy to share what I know, and the other various pictures from each place along our route. This is definitely not the last shot out of Roadside America.