More nostalgia trips in Dixon: Ronald Reagan’s two-story white clapboard boyhood home and the Lincoln Highway (State-38), the first coast-to-coast route. Zig-zagging through wide residential streets, I spot hand-painted red-white-and-blue “L” signs on telephone poles. From the Mississippi River to the Chicago suburbs, the road, now a National Scenic Byway, meanders by 40 towns. In Franklin Grove, an original marker stands in front of the Lincoln Highway National Association’s two-story limestone building. It’s a good place to pick up info about what’s ahead. On the way out, I snap a picture of the marker, less than two dozen remain in the state. Now that I know what to look for, I spot a marker in a verge, a mural on the side of a brick building in Creston and a gazebo in a DeKalb park.
100 Shops!
A string of turn-of-the-century towns dot the Fox River just west of Chicago—one more irresistible than the next. Pretty neighborhoods of historic homes surround downtowns lined with all sorts of appealing shops and restaurants. A combination endless boutique and ultimate ladies-who-lunch spot rambling through a white mansion in Geneva, The Little Traveler might be the most seductive of all. Treasures from all over fill 36 rooms. Pulling myself away from the incredible jewelry department, I head to the sunken Atrium Cafe. A model in sleek black Capris and a fuchsia jacket slinks by, part of a daily fashion show. Note to self: bring girlfriends. Outside, I wander up and down tree-lined South Third Street, stopping at other favorites: The Paper Merchant, Cocoon for home accents and trendy clothes at the Meeting Place. With one bite, The Latest Crave becomes a new fave. Mile-high icing tops cupcakes in to-die-for flavors: key lime, lemon, red velvet, blackbottom and more. I go with carrot. Yum!
Long known as the antiques mecca, neighboring St. Charles is busy reinventing itself as a complete weekend getaway. A redone riverfront is taking shape with the historic Hotel Baker anchoring green spaces and an entertainment district. Century Gardens District on the east bank proves some things only get better with time. The dozen or so turn-of-the-century homes now hold shops. Must-stops: Town House Books & Cafe with local authors works; Stonehouse on Cedar for antiques and simple objects and Panache, a well of fabulous, one-of-a-kind jewelry made from vintage buttons, plus art and clothing, in an 1850 farmhouse.
I brake for discounts! Uh, oh. I planned to breeze on into Chicago in Aurora but all those drivers heading for the exit apparently know something I don’t. Who can pass up Chicago Premium Outlets and its literally acres of bargains? Not me. Luckily there are plenty of lodging choices nearby, too.