Of Heroes, Safety, and a Snake - Oh My!
Updated resupply route in Northern Illinois for ADT hikers, learn about Silvis' historic Hero Street and explore Iowa's new Rock Snake art project.
This week, we have refreshed the Hiker Notes in northwestern Illinois to include new details about an Amazon Counter location in East Moline, enhancing convenience as you pass through the area.
Additionally, we've made a significant change to the suggested access path to Silvis.
Illinois North
Segment 1 - Rock Island (Iowa/Indiana Line) to Bureau
Great River Trail, Hennepin Canal Parkway
To improve hiker safety, we've made a significant change to our recommended access path to Silvis, one of the final resupply points, before Eastbound ADT hikers reach Hennepin Canal State Park.
Previously, ADT hikers used the IL5/John Deere Expressway – a busy, 55-mile-per-hour highway with a standard-sized shoulder and no services until you reach Silvis.
We have added a new recommendation in our Illinois North Segment 1 guide that will route you south on 19th Street – a 30-mile-per-hour street with a sidewalk the entire way into central Silvis.
Extra points: There are a couple of resupply mini-markets along the way!
An American Discovery - Hero Street, Silvis Illinois
Silvis, steeped in a rich history, is particularly notable for "Hero Street USA" (formerly Second Street). This street is renowned for its remarkable contribution during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War - where some 84 residents from just 22 households on that one street enlisted to serve.
This extraordinary figure is a testament to the deep-seated patriotism and sacrifices of the local Silvis Latino community, predominantly of Mexican heritage, underscoring their integral role in shaping the history of Silvis.
Eight paid the ultimate sacrifice and are honored with the Hero Street Monument (above) and stars painted on the street in front of the house where they lived.
The ADT in the News
Nevada
Segment 3 - Middlegate to Ione
Briana "Rocky Mountain High" DeSanctis continues her western Nevada crossing. She filed her latest journal with her hometown newspaper in Maine - The Daily Bulldog.
Iowa Segment 2
Audubon, Iowa
The Atlantic News Telegraph is out with a story about a new (Rock) "Snake" 🐍 on the American Discovery Trail/T-Bone trail. But actually, this one is going to be kind of cute as it continues to grow!
Audubon Girl Scout Troop 226 worked with Audubon County Tourism to start a Rock Snake community public art project and is encouraging everyone to paint a rock and add it on to see how long “Alberta” can get.
You will find the head of "Alberta" at Hiking America waypoint IA2-31.
Hike Your Hike - John.
And Happy Holidays!
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