A View from Both Sides of the Illinois River

We have had a lovely autumn this year, and I have been able to go on a lot of walks and hikes. Above and following are some photos of Peoria from the East Peoria side of the Illinois River.

These photos were taken in the golden days of mid-October.

The Murray Baker Bridge, ten days before it reopened after seven months of rehab. Got to keep those bridges safe!

Peoria has a nice little skyline with our own Twin Towers.

The double-spired St. Mary's Cathedral.

The above photo and following were taken from the Peoria side of the river on the morning of December 5.

From Preston Jackson's statue, "Stainless Steel Metaphors," located near the Riverplex. I think one day that Peoria will be widely known as his home.

 

Here is a little memorial to Dan Fogelberg. The chorus to Part of the Plan (my favorite Fogelberg song) is inscribed on one of the above stones:

Love when you can
Cry when you have to
Be who you must
That's a part of the plan
Await your arrival
With simple survival and
One day, we'll all understand.

My hiking buddy Susan told me this is a Bald Cypress.

There is a nice walking path along the river.

The Bald Cypress again, still a blazing orange in December.

We diverted from the river and took a short jaunt through part of downtown. Flags at half staff, I think for all the casualties of COVID, outside Caterpillar's Peoria headquarters.

The building above was formerly known as the First National Bank building. As near as I can tell, it was built in 1919. In this photo, I unsuccessfully tried to capture the light that revolves at top of the building. I have heard that this is called the Lindy Light, after Charles Lindbergh, who was a U.S. mail pilot, and flew over Peoria, delivering the mail between St. Louis and Chicago. 

On another day, I was able to get a photo of the light.

The moon above the steeple of Sacred Heart Church.

Abe is ready for winter. This life size bronze statue, Lincoln Draws the Line, was created by John McClarey, and was installed in 2001.  I remember being at the dedication.

We could certainly use some of Lincoln's wisdom and magnanimity these days. 

"With malice toward none with charity for all with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan ~ to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."