Fort Massac and The Chocolate Factory

Last Saturday after the Superman Celebration, we went to Fort Massac State Park. Upon arrival we learned that this was Illinois' first state park, preserved since 1908. Currently, there is a historic replica of the 1802 American Fort that includes 2 barracks, 3 block houses and officers quarters. Several of the doors were open and we got to take a peak inside.

The Fort has a neat history that I'll share with you in short form:

• The French originally built the site during the French and Indian War
• After the war, the French abandoned it and then Indians burnt it to the ground 
• The British were the next to take it over but it didn't last long
• The Americans took it over during the Revolutionary War when Colonel George Rogers Clark led his men into Illinois and claimed the entire state for Virginia (woot!)
• George Washington ordered that the Fort be rebuilt in 1794 so it could protect the Ohio Valley 
• In 1839 the city of Metropolis was built about a mile west of the fort
• In 1903 the DAR worked to get the site and surrounding land purchased by the state
• In 1908 it was officially dedicated as Illinois' first state park

Next to the replica of the fort is the archaeological outline of the 1757 French Fort with the most amazing view of the Ohio River.

View of the Bridge into Paducah, KY

There is also a plaque to honor George Rogers Clark:

From there we drove to Galconda, IL to visit The Chocolate Factory.

What a cute little shop. Unfortunately, it's more of a store than a factory but very cute nonetheless. I mean look at these solid white chocolate "deviled eggs!"

Yum!

Bucket List: It's a Bird, It's a plane ...

It's the Superman Celebration! Yesterday, we headed south to visit Metropolis, IL. In 1972, DC comics officially designated the city "Hometown of Superman." The city erected a large statue of Superman just next to the courthouse and has been boasting about it ever since. When we arrived we found a great parking spot in the town square. It had just started to rain so we waited it out in the car for a while. When the sun came out, it was a bit cooler and we decided to walk around. The street fair went down the street just a few blocks. There were many flea market tables (including lots of comic books and toys) as well as crafters and food vendors.

I have to say, it was a bit underwhelming. I wanted to see a lot more people in costume! The fattest Batman I have ever seen was there. Haha, he cracked me up. Poor kids! I hope they look back on their photos with him and laugh. We also checked out the Superman Store and Museum which had this cutout in front, perfect for a photo-op:

The we went over to the giant statue for a pic:

 A bunch of the people in costume went over to the courthouse steps for a photo-op. Superman is looking good:

Not sure who the other guy is? While I couldn't fully geek out over comics, I'm glad to have gone to the festival and checked it off my bucket list.

Another interesting fact about Metropolis is that it is the hometown of Curt Jones, the creator of Dippin' Dots. Our road trip didn't end here, more to come ...