The Road Less-Traveled

Whenever we are traveling fairly long distances we will frequently take state highways instead of the larger and faster Interstate highways. Of course, the state highway has to be in fairly good shape and not needlessly add a lot of miles to our trip. There are a lot of interesting (and good) state roads that parallel the interstates, and provide a lot more scenery and attractions. The pace is usually a little slower, although not a lot, and it's easier to stop to see something if you want to. Recently, we passed through Chester, Illinois while following the "River Roads" through Arkansas and Illinois. Chester is on the Mississippi in southwest Illinois. It is the home of "Popeye, the Sailor Man." The town has capitalized on the Popeye theme and it is a successful means of attracting tourists to this barely wide spot on IL Hwy 3. The creator of Popeye, Elzie Segar, was born in Chester in 1894. He later became a cartoonist and used actual residents of Chester as the basis for some of his cartoon characters. If you want to learn more, you can contact the Popeye website at www.popeyethesailor.com.

Spinach Can Collectibles, and the Popeye Museum in Chester, Illinois.

Mural on building that was the Chester Opera House and Segar's Thimble Theater. Building now houses the Popeye Museum and Spinach Can Collectibles.

I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Olive Oyl in the Popeye Museum.

The owner/manager of the museum loves dachshunds (has 5 of them).

Statue of Wimpy, one of four Popeye characters honored by statues in Chester.

More of our adventures in Illinois will be coming soon. Keep checking back often.

Dave & Pat