The Pit

The smells of kringle and coffee attracted the Vipers to the O & H Danish Bakery.  Six more Vipers joined the procession east through downtown Racine along side Lake Michigan.  The Viper train turned north to one of the remaining lighthouses on the Great Lakes.

One hundred forty-four steps elevated our crew to the Wind Point Lighthouse summit for a panoramic view of the surrounding area.  Group photos were taken of the 23 Vipers and their occupants with the lighthouse in the background.

Upon clearing the spectators and neighbors, the caravan proceeded west to the home of the Spinning Top Museum in Burlington.  Because we were guests of the town, the police granted us extended parking in the historic area.  This allowed us to have lunch at Veronico’s Café.  After consuming chicken wraps, lasagna, or a pork loin sandwich, we walked up to the Spinning Top Museum. 

The G & R Garden Railroad welcomed us with its fantastic layout of 10 trains and many water features which pump 40,000 gallons of recycled water per hour.  Viper owners marveled at the various scenes set among variegated impatience and other colorful flowers. This is the first time that some cruise participants had seen a garden railroad.  Those with model trains began to visualize how they could set up a layout on their own property.

The cruise continued south on Milwaukee Avenue, River Road, Central to 83 South into Mt. Prospect.  The second stop was to the home of Walter & Gail Radtke and their Dry Bone Creek Garden Railroad.  Here the Union Pacific Model railroad travels through over 100 different kinds of perennials.  Many questions arose to the owners as to what this flower or cactus was called.  Botanists in the group were thrilled to be exposed to so many different kinds of species.  A school parking lot which adjoined the Radtke property was filled with Vipers causing much interest from Walter’s neighbors.

After our visit, the Vipers proceeded northwest to Arlington Heights and the home of Jim and Judy Otis.  Fall River and Stony Creek Railroad was the third garden railroad viewed---both outside and inside layouts.  The abbreviated cruise only covered 29 miles because at noon our annual club picnic took place at the Otis home (See "Car Show Afterglow" webpage).  A Mexican-style fiesta picnic was served which included hamburgers, hot dogs, fajitas, and even spicy potato salad.

Bill Sampognaro conducted a short meeting and introduced the new officers for 2007.  At 4:15 quiet again descended on Jules Street as the last Viper roared off signaling the street’s one day of glory.  However, neighbors talked about the event for days afterward.  It was viewed as a successful event.

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. 

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.

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.