Category: Illinois

Great River Road – Illinois

Hold on to your helmets….next up Great River Road Illinois!

Hope you are all set for an adventure as we float south to the enchanting town of Galena, Illinois!

Oh, what a charming little spot this is!

As you paddle through its historic streets, it feels like you’ve slipped into a time machine, stepping back into the days of mining and bustling trade.

Did you know that the legendary Ulysses S. Grant, that famous general and 18th president, called this delightful place home for a spell?

I can only imagine how much fun it would have been to splash around with him in a pond!

Keep an eye out for all the charming sites that honor him, including a war memorial that’s seriously quack-tastic!

And don’t forget to visit Grant’s cozy home, where the views over the city are simply rubber ducky!

But hold your adorable quacks! This town has a treasure trove of activities waiting for you!

How about soaring through the trees on a zip line,

paddling down the river in a kayak,

or stretching your wings at a goat yoga session at Galena Goat Yoga?

You have a taste for the finer things?

Swing by Galena Cellars Vineyard for some delightful wine tastings or

stroll through the downtown area for some unique shopping.

And if you’re feeling particularly adventurous like yours truly, don’t miss the fantastic goat trek at Hoof It Goat Treks!

Reenergize with a hike through charming woods and prairies that have been in the family for four generations, with friendly goats following along, munching on hand-fed treats. It’s a memory that’ll last a lifetime!

Then off you go to Grafton to our Bobbers next recommendation for human refueling!

The Grafton Oyster Bar!

Perched right on the banks of the majestic Mississippi River, this delightful eatery is a float-worthy paradise!

As soon as you waddle in, the nautical decor will have you feeling like you’re on a jolly ship setting sail for a culinary adventure! The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming, it’s the ideal place to gather with your favourite pals after a day exploring the Great River Road!

Now, let’s get to the star of the show: the fresh oysters! Oh my flippers, they are quacktastic!

Whether you like them raw, steamed, or grilled to golden perfection, each bite is a burst of ocean flavor that will leave you quacking for more.

And don’t miss out on their fabulous signature sauces, adding just the right zing to your shellfish experience!

And the fun doesn’t stop there!

The menu overflows with delicious options beyond oysters.

Think mouthwatering crab cakes and savoury shrimp po’boys: there’s something scrumptious for every hungry traveller!

Thirsty? The Grafton Oyster Bar has got your back!

With a fabulous selection of craft beers and cocktails, you can sip something refreshing while soaking in the delightful atmosphere.

The clinking of your glasses, sharing laughs with good friends, and creating memories, now that sounds like the perfect evening for a rubber duck like me!

And you can’t beat those fabulous river views while you dine.

Imagine watching the sunset over the Mississippi, nestled in nature’s best backdrop, it’s like dining with a side of magic!

Quit Dreamin’! It’s time to move on as you set your sails toward Missouri! The fun just never ends…Stay Tuned!

NEVER MISS A

December 8, 2025
Route 66 – Badger Passport Ride – Pontiac, Illinois to Santa Monica, California
Get ready for a thrilling ride!

On July 13, 2023, my human strapped me onto his gleaming Goldwing. We headed out from Winnipeg, Manitoba, for Pontiac, Illinois.

Destination: Route 66 Passport Run.

Sonny and Angie Badger and their dedicated crew crafted an epic route brimming with original Route 66 charm. The plan: to cover a breathtaking 2,278 miles from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier!

My human’s dream of riding the Original Route 66 has been brewing for ages. Sonny and Angie had brought his dream to reality.

The excitement was infectious. We arrived in Pontiac on July 15, checking into the Best Western Pontiac alongside around 90 other passionate riders.

I couldn’t help but quack in delight at the vibrant atmosphere.

Each segment of our journey was a treasure trove of unique experiences! I’ll share a few highlights to spark your wanderlust and inspire you to add Route 66 to your bucket list!
On the bright and sunny morning of July 16, we zipped over to Chicago. There are snazzy photo ops at the historic starting point of this legendary route.

The evening? Oh boy, it was a blast! Thanks to Sonny and Angie, Pontiac threw us a party worthy of the grandest duck ball!

They shut down the streets for our motley crew, and we revelled in a charming old theatre, feasted on delicious grub, and then hit the hay early to gear up for our grand ride on the 17th.
To ensure that the ride was more manageable, The Badgers had organized a chase trailer and folks to help in emergencies, and we had created smaller daily riding groups.

Darrell, Christina, Rick, Fiona, Greg, Joe, Shawn, and me

By July 17, we were off to our first stop, Rolla, Missouri. With quacks of joy, we kicked off the ride at 7 a.m.

Riding on the original Route 66 transported us back to simpler times when every pothole told a story!

It was a real nostalgia trip for everyone on board.
Pontiac, Illinois to Rolla, Missouri – 306 miles

With the sun peeking over the horizon, we revved our engines at 7 am!

The first leg of our quest whisked us back through time as the nostalgic vibe of Route 66 wrapped around us like a warm feather blanket.

Those cobblestone roads in Missouri felt like a hug from history! I was flapping my wings joyfully, soaking in the sights and sounds!

Rolla, Missouri to Stroud, Oklahoma – 394 miles

Now, here’s where things got quirky—who could resist stopping at Uranus? No kidding! This zany little store greeted us with a cheeky “Welcome to Uranus!”. It was all giggles from here on out, especially when we discovered their famous fudge! Now that’s a treat worth quacking about!

Next up was a delightful stop at The Hangar Kafe, where I had to ruffle my feathers in awe. Not only did they serve scrumptious food, but the place was filled with flying things—hot air balloons and rocket ship replicas galore!

The Kingsley family operates the hangar as a growing crop-dusting business. Also offering the BOBortunity to take a ride on a hot air balloon or plane. You can watch the skydivers on clear days. Maybe even witness a Chinook helicopter stop in for breakfast.

Just as we were getting into the groove, disaster struck! Goldie, our trusty steed, suffered a blowout at full speed. Yikes!

Even as seasoned as he is, my human faced his first “death wobble,” A term used in the motorcycle community to describe a sudden and severe wobble in the front wheel.

I flapped nervously in my seat, but our fantastic riding group rallied in support of my human while he limped Goldie to safety.

A massive shoutout to our new buddy, Darryl, who stood by our side for four hours while we waited for help. Quack-tastic teamwork!

Stroud, Oklahoma to Amarillo, Texas – 316 miles

After a speedy pit stop at Shawnee Motor Sports—thanks, guys!—we charged ahead to Amarillo.

My human decided to hit the Interstate to make up for lost time, missing out on some of those Route 66 gems. We met up with the group to indulge in a legendary steak dinner at The Big Texan! We avoided the daunting 72-ounce challenge sticking with a more “bob-sized” plate,!

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, and nothing felt better than being back with our fantastic crew.

Amarillo, Texas to Grants, New Mexico – 363 miles

Buckle up your feathers because this ride from Amarillo to Grants was a quacking good time! We were cruising and hit the halfway mark of our grand adventure.

One of the coolest stops was the Mid-Point Café—a true desert oasis! There I was, surrounded by a sea of dusty roads, when suddenly, BOOM!

The café appeared like magic! We waddled in to grab some souvenirs, freshen up, and munch delicious snacks.

I couldn’t resist posing for a photo by the sign proclaiming we were at the midpoint of Route 66. Talk about a feather in my cap!

Next up was Tee Pee Curios, a delightful little spot that was a gas station in 1944.

After the highway was widened, the enterprising folks transitioned it to a treasure trove of local crafts and souvenirs.

Let me tell you, I had a whale of a time digging through all the quirky curios!
Grants, New Mexico to Williams, Arizona – 282 miles

There’s so much fun along this iconic stretch!

I had my photo taken at one of the last remaining Wigwam Villages.

Marvelled at a massive meteor crater from 50,000 years ago. Met some wacky alien replicas in Winslow, Arizona.

And even posed with the famous flatbed Ford from the Eagles’ “Take It Easy.”
Rumour has it that some of our group seized a special BOBortunity. They showed off their line dancing skills “at the corner of Winslow, Arizona,”.

Party on, my feathery friends!
Williams, Arizona to Victorville, California – 349 miles

Then came Oatman, Arizona. A sight straight out of a Wild West movie! We took the Arizona Sidewinder Highway to get there. It was a wild ride! Watch out for the donkeys; they’re on a mission for breakfast and might pop up unexpectedly!

Oatman is a ghost town buzzing with history. The old buildings and roaming donkeys reminded me of the cowboys of yore.

If only we had more time!

We could’ve explored the mine. Witnessed a wild shootout. Ventured to Joshua Tree!

But alas, the sun was blazing, and my rubbery self could only take so much heat. I’ll have to convince my human to make a return trip!

All great BOBortunities must come to an end.

The last stretch through Death Valley was a scorcher!

At 127 degrees, I nearly melted into a puddle!

We all felt the burn as we navigated the sweltering desert. Laughter and hydration kept us afloat.

We reached our final destination of Victorville, hot, tired, and feeling pretty awesome!

But wait, the journey wasn’t over yet!

We made it! BUT…we wanted to see the end of Route 66…SO….

Bonus Day – Victorville, California to Santa Monica Pier, California

We decided to cruise to Santa Monica Pier for one last hurrah. We explored the pier. Gobbled up a farewell lunch. Said our goodbyes. All floating in different directions, homeward bound.
What a wild ride on Route 66!

There are so many memories and a quack-tastic adventure to cherish forever.

Here’s to more journeys and endless fun! Waddle on, my friends!

NEVER MISS A
July 23, 2023