Elkhart, "Steep In History"

7 Miles Today;   A cold morning of 18 degrees greeted me but with no wind my walk was enjoyable.  However my left ankle gave me problems this morning. Sunday's are fairly quiet for the "Walking Man" I see but a few people outside excersing early.  Sunday is a day of rest for some but not me.

Route 66

Forrest's Virtual Experience

As days go by I find myself getting engrossed in the history of Route 66 "America's Main Street" affectionately referred to by countless of Americans.  Today Walk Forrest Walk finds himself in the small town of Elkhart, Illinios.  As one travels south on what use to be Route 66 towards Springfield, Illinios you'll come to a small village of about 450 people today.  This settlement is rich in history and provides numerous stories.  The place was a landmark for westward bound travelers in early American pioneers.  One peculiar story I enjoyed was  how Elkhart got it's name.  According to legend long before a settlement of Elkhart was established, the area was home to the Kickapoo Indians, where Elkhart Hill a high point (777 ft above sea level) in the normally flat terrain of central Illinios provided an excellent view for the natives, and a landmark for settlers heading west, the story goes that the hill got its name.   The Kickapoo chief's daughter, White blossom was wooed by two warriors, one from her own tribe and another from the Shawnee tribe.  On one of their annual hunting trips, the two warriors insisted that White blossom declare which one would become her husband.  When an elk passed by, White Blossom said she would choose the one who could pierce the heart of the large animal.  The warrior from the Kickapoo tribe hit the heart of the elk and won the hand of the princess White Blossom.  When they married, the elk heart became the family badge.  Since that time the hill and later the settlement was forever named Elkhart.  The by-gone days of Route  66 have long been put to rest thanks to progress depending how one looks at it.  Sometimes we just move too fast for our own good to stop and smell the coffee at a little Ma & Pop cafe or enjoy the serenity of a small town.  Elkhart, Illinois on my Route 66 experience provided me with those images.  Until tomorrow from the "Mother Road", God Bless Walk Forrest Walk