HAUNTED HIGHWAYS SPOOKY SPOKES TOUR (OCT 2010)
On a glorious October Sunday an intrepid band of 5 - a mystic number - set off to find the spooks in McHenry and surrounding area.
ahh but as we are talking about the Furies... we had to be fortified first ... so why not at the spookily decorated Wind Mill Restaurant - the menu was a novel - one that had a scary ending - of being too full - the dread we felt was if we were going to fit in our chaps after eating all the food we had to try. I will say that the pumpkin pancakes were the best I have ever had - and as I shared them - the calories were released to the greater good! If you are curious about this restaurant - the tv show 190 North filmed there today and will be showing it over Halloween.
Waddling off to the bikes we took off to our first stop the Stickney Mansion - no not in Stickney - although that would have made sense - but in McHenry - it was pretty scary because now it's a police station! What well meaning group of motorcyclists go willingly to a police office? Surely we were possessed! The building is a mansion built by some "spiritualists" in the late 1890's. There are no corners - each would be corner is rounded - as back in the day there was the belief that corners held spirits and dire consequences if they got stuck - how do we know this? Well this ride came with a riding guide! We soon learned to read ahead so we could anticipate the next stop. This place was eerie to say the least -it's on a great road - and with the fall leaves - it was one that I wasnt glad to be off so soon after finding the mansion. Legend has it people that died in the house died in a corner that the architect failed to round! I mean really... you go through ALL that effort to have all rounded corners and then you leave one?? And oh by the way - everyone passes away in the darn corner? well - let me tell you I have drywallers at my house this week- we are earnestly reviewing the cost to round the corners in my apartment. Leaving this place was a little scary - the gravel caught my bike and only by an act of will as well as a couple of expletives and demanding that whatever it was let go of my bike -did I fight off the gremlins and pulled a U-Turn to get out safely.
Off we headed next to downtown Woodstock - the country roads and sunshine warmed us and we ended up at the Woodstock Opera house - we learned that Elvira haunts the place - seems she didnt get the lead role and jumped to her death - talk about hell - now she has to sit through every bad off off off off Broadway play and we know she is less than thrilled because if an actor or actress misses a line they say they can hear a sigh come from seat there in seat DD113. The management leave that seat open for good ole E - because when she gets cranky her PMS manifests itself in ways that are less than caring - seems she likes to have scenery fall on people! If you haven't wandered around down town Woodstock it has a cute little square that is set off by the Opera House. It was HERE that the i-Phone apps came out and the Ghosts started talking... Yes... they have an App for that! Caryl and Lisa started chit chatting away with the other world... I bet they will hate to see THOSE roaming charges!
Onwards and upwards! Barnes and Noble...I mean really? Yup! Nadine figured we all needed some educating... and the apps confirmed there was ghostly activity - probably the left over jet stream of everyone flying off to the bathroom! Janet was combing the bookshelves for cold spots - or a good read - and we found "Do Dead People Watch You Shower" We didn't stick around for the answer... we had a cemetery waiting on us!
Mt Thabor Cemetery - a very old cemetery we spent some time meet and greeting the inhabitants- There were some very old grave sites - and it is here that you realize how far we have come or not - when you see the headstones of women that have their name small - the word WIFE and their husbands name quite large. We also realized very quickly how hard it was in the 1800's to survive - it was not uncommon to see on various grave sites the names of babies that lived one month to one year.
Just to reinforce the fragility of life - we headed next to The Fountains of Crystal Lake - this is a retirement palce -and we cautiously approached - we had read ahead before we got there - and an employee had written that if someone dies there - massive amounts of crows show up.. we are happy to report it was crow-free.
This was all a prelude to the mother road! No -not Route 66... we were headed to Cuba Road and the "White Cemetery!" Now this cemetery is known by anyone that lives w/i 50 miles of the place - how do I know this? Because today at work I said we were on Cuba Road and went by a Cemetery - and instantly everyone said OOHHHH you went to White Cemetery! and they all had stories! Cuba road is a wonderful road with some dips and peaks and trees that line it - it was a quintessential fall road. It was tough figuring out where we could park 5 bikes - so Nadine led us down a road for a turn around - following the Ghost Hunter we took a side road into a neighborhood where every house was larger than the next. Caryl stood guard - having pulled her U-Turn at the start of the road - we however merrily went to check out the neighborhood and a cul de sac was the perfect place to easily head back - you had to wonder- did these people know just how close to the paranormal they were? Did they see Cuba Road Charlie? A ghost that has a lantern or the Phantom House? or the scary black car? When we got there the sun was high - and so was the fence - seems people can't leave well enough alone and like to vandalize the cemetery. Lisa and Caryl carried on conversations with the ghosts - while Janet and I prowled around the edge of the fence. A quick look and we realized there had to be cameras watching the place and Nadine started to hatch a plan to get to see the footage! We all were glad to get out of there while the sun was up - Cuba road is suppose to be one of the most haunted roads in IL - and none of us wanted to be on our bikes in the dark on Cuba Road -
We finished up in Carpentersville at a Sports Bar that didn't exist anymore - this place is suppose to be haunted and we spent some time checking it out - and watching Lisa try to coax the ghosts to talk to her. The hauntings continued as Caryl learned her Bears had lost... we headed over to a Taco Bell for a soda and a rehash of what we had seen. Nadine was determined to continue down Cuba road to where it was even more haunted - Lisa, Janet and I decided that sounded like a good idea - unwilling to head home while the sun was still out and the day warm. Caryl opted to pine for her Bears and head home with a jaunty wave.
While packing up our bikes Nadine mentioned a character from the paranormal that must not be named - he is akin to beetle juice - you say it enough and something bad happens - I SWEAR it does! But mention the dude she does - and lo and behold - the bolt that I had gotten fixed on Saturday -was now missing from my saddle bag on the OTHER side... this required me to daisy chain 2 cable ties to keep from losing my saddle bag. I was not amused. She says it again.. this time about watching the dumb movie or some such - and her bike as she goes to start it just whines... she tried again ... nada.... her bike is now ready for White Cemetery - as it is DEAD... I mean REALLY?? Off with the seats and like Goldilocks we try each battery until one works... that would be mine. off goes the seat - on goes the jumper cables... and YES Nadine travels with Jumper Cables... and Voila! We are women hear us roar -or rather hear her bike cough to life! High Fives for everyone and we are ready to go!
Back down Cuba Road we go - and the rural road does not disappoint. We get to the end of Cuba Road and 14 and suddenly Nadine is not moving... Seems her bike died again!!! This time the intersection is not as forgiving as a Taco Bell parking lot!. That's OK the Furies know how to handle this -I block the way - Nadine and Lisa walk the bikes over - Janet moves over with her lights blinking and we begin the seat dance again. This time... the gremlins have decided that it won't be so easy - and we can't get the bike to start. Not to fear - Nadine has both Triple A and AMA - she chooses AMA and they promise help in 45 minutes. During this time - she brings up the stupid butterfly guy - and again - his name is not to be mentioned - it seems when it is - something not good occurs. bikes fly by us - not one stops to see if we need help- a car with 2 teenagers stop - their parents would be proud - seems their parents ride - and they felt compelled to check on us - very nice! A trucker from Werner trucking - no older than the girls that stopped - pulls over and checks on us as well - some how this kid (and really he hadnt started shaving yet) was able to pull an 18 wheeler over to check on us - while these Bad Ass Biker Guys couldnt be bothered. That's OK we are women hear us roar! Up rolls our hero - a kid in a souped up honda with a battery charger - no really - no flat bed - no tow truck - a red portable battery charger.. that poor guy took his life in his own hands with the 5 of us - tired - dusty and looking for a flat bed to tow Nausea back to Woodstock. Well darned if that kid didnt get that bike going. I think he surprised himself... well Nadine had to show him where the leads were to her battery - but he did take credit.
It seemed like one minute we were in the sun - the next - PITCH Dark.. and guess which road gave the best access to Nadine's house? Are ya following me here... BACK the way we came - CUBA ROAD! IN THE DARK! PAST THE CEMETERY! We couldnt let Nadine head off with a battery that might not stay charged- so Janet and Lisa figured they could follow Nadine to 59 and Cuba and I called a friend - the same one that was kind enough to get up at 3 a.m. to be our Iron butt witness - to catch up and follow Nadine from 59 to woodstock. I was sent back to Chicago. As I fought Sunday night Chicago traffic on the Kennedy... Nadine, Lisa and Janet headed down Cuba road... Whoa... Kennedy - Cuba.. 59... I just put that all together!!! (President Kennedy.. Cuba... Bay of Pigs... -we were on Hogs... Cuba revolution was in 1959... spooky!)
As far as I know they all made it safe -but I am sure there are stories they are not telling of orbs and lights - I do know that Nadine sent texts that she would be sleeping with the lights on and reviewing the pictures she took along the way in the daylight!
Now, as a club we welcome riders of all bike brands - and Nadine's bike woes seemed to come out of nowhere BUT she pointed the blame at the paranormal... seems she is of the belief that the ghosts liked her bike best - and wanted it to STAY on Cuba Road... perhaps Cuba Road Charlie knows a slick ride when he sees one... Or maybe he just wanted that darn orange helmet! Either way we won't know - unless there's an App for that!!!!
MJ - former ghost hunter
ahh but as we are talking about the Furies... we had to be fortified first ... so why not at the spookily decorated Wind Mill Restaurant - the menu was a novel - one that had a scary ending - of being too full - the dread we felt was if we were going to fit in our chaps after eating all the food we had to try. I will say that the pumpkin pancakes were the best I have ever had - and as I shared them - the calories were released to the greater good! If you are curious about this restaurant - the tv show 190 North filmed there today and will be showing it over Halloween.
Waddling off to the bikes we took off to our first stop the Stickney Mansion - no not in Stickney - although that would have made sense - but in McHenry - it was pretty scary because now it's a police station! What well meaning group of motorcyclists go willingly to a police office? Surely we were possessed! The building is a mansion built by some "spiritualists" in the late 1890's. There are no corners - each would be corner is rounded - as back in the day there was the belief that corners held spirits and dire consequences if they got stuck - how do we know this? Well this ride came with a riding guide! We soon learned to read ahead so we could anticipate the next stop. This place was eerie to say the least -it's on a great road - and with the fall leaves - it was one that I wasnt glad to be off so soon after finding the mansion. Legend has it people that died in the house died in a corner that the architect failed to round! I mean really... you go through ALL that effort to have all rounded corners and then you leave one?? And oh by the way - everyone passes away in the darn corner? well - let me tell you I have drywallers at my house this week- we are earnestly reviewing the cost to round the corners in my apartment. Leaving this place was a little scary - the gravel caught my bike and only by an act of will as well as a couple of expletives and demanding that whatever it was let go of my bike -did I fight off the gremlins and pulled a U-Turn to get out safely.
Off we headed next to downtown Woodstock - the country roads and sunshine warmed us and we ended up at the Woodstock Opera house - we learned that Elvira haunts the place - seems she didnt get the lead role and jumped to her death - talk about hell - now she has to sit through every bad off off off off Broadway play and we know she is less than thrilled because if an actor or actress misses a line they say they can hear a sigh come from seat there in seat DD113. The management leave that seat open for good ole E - because when she gets cranky her PMS manifests itself in ways that are less than caring - seems she likes to have scenery fall on people! If you haven't wandered around down town Woodstock it has a cute little square that is set off by the Opera House. It was HERE that the i-Phone apps came out and the Ghosts started talking... Yes... they have an App for that! Caryl and Lisa started chit chatting away with the other world... I bet they will hate to see THOSE roaming charges!
Onwards and upwards! Barnes and Noble...I mean really? Yup! Nadine figured we all needed some educating... and the apps confirmed there was ghostly activity - probably the left over jet stream of everyone flying off to the bathroom! Janet was combing the bookshelves for cold spots - or a good read - and we found "Do Dead People Watch You Shower" We didn't stick around for the answer... we had a cemetery waiting on us!
Mt Thabor Cemetery - a very old cemetery we spent some time meet and greeting the inhabitants- There were some very old grave sites - and it is here that you realize how far we have come or not - when you see the headstones of women that have their name small - the word WIFE and their husbands name quite large. We also realized very quickly how hard it was in the 1800's to survive - it was not uncommon to see on various grave sites the names of babies that lived one month to one year.
Just to reinforce the fragility of life - we headed next to The Fountains of Crystal Lake - this is a retirement palce -and we cautiously approached - we had read ahead before we got there - and an employee had written that if someone dies there - massive amounts of crows show up.. we are happy to report it was crow-free.
This was all a prelude to the mother road! No -not Route 66... we were headed to Cuba Road and the "White Cemetery!" Now this cemetery is known by anyone that lives w/i 50 miles of the place - how do I know this? Because today at work I said we were on Cuba Road and went by a Cemetery - and instantly everyone said OOHHHH you went to White Cemetery! and they all had stories! Cuba road is a wonderful road with some dips and peaks and trees that line it - it was a quintessential fall road. It was tough figuring out where we could park 5 bikes - so Nadine led us down a road for a turn around - following the Ghost Hunter we took a side road into a neighborhood where every house was larger than the next. Caryl stood guard - having pulled her U-Turn at the start of the road - we however merrily went to check out the neighborhood and a cul de sac was the perfect place to easily head back - you had to wonder- did these people know just how close to the paranormal they were? Did they see Cuba Road Charlie? A ghost that has a lantern or the Phantom House? or the scary black car? When we got there the sun was high - and so was the fence - seems people can't leave well enough alone and like to vandalize the cemetery. Lisa and Caryl carried on conversations with the ghosts - while Janet and I prowled around the edge of the fence. A quick look and we realized there had to be cameras watching the place and Nadine started to hatch a plan to get to see the footage! We all were glad to get out of there while the sun was up - Cuba road is suppose to be one of the most haunted roads in IL - and none of us wanted to be on our bikes in the dark on Cuba Road -
We finished up in Carpentersville at a Sports Bar that didn't exist anymore - this place is suppose to be haunted and we spent some time checking it out - and watching Lisa try to coax the ghosts to talk to her. The hauntings continued as Caryl learned her Bears had lost... we headed over to a Taco Bell for a soda and a rehash of what we had seen. Nadine was determined to continue down Cuba road to where it was even more haunted - Lisa, Janet and I decided that sounded like a good idea - unwilling to head home while the sun was still out and the day warm. Caryl opted to pine for her Bears and head home with a jaunty wave.
While packing up our bikes Nadine mentioned a character from the paranormal that must not be named - he is akin to beetle juice - you say it enough and something bad happens - I SWEAR it does! But mention the dude she does - and lo and behold - the bolt that I had gotten fixed on Saturday -was now missing from my saddle bag on the OTHER side... this required me to daisy chain 2 cable ties to keep from losing my saddle bag. I was not amused. She says it again.. this time about watching the dumb movie or some such - and her bike as she goes to start it just whines... she tried again ... nada.... her bike is now ready for White Cemetery - as it is DEAD... I mean REALLY?? Off with the seats and like Goldilocks we try each battery until one works... that would be mine. off goes the seat - on goes the jumper cables... and YES Nadine travels with Jumper Cables... and Voila! We are women hear us roar -or rather hear her bike cough to life! High Fives for everyone and we are ready to go!
Back down Cuba Road we go - and the rural road does not disappoint. We get to the end of Cuba Road and 14 and suddenly Nadine is not moving... Seems her bike died again!!! This time the intersection is not as forgiving as a Taco Bell parking lot!. That's OK the Furies know how to handle this -I block the way - Nadine and Lisa walk the bikes over - Janet moves over with her lights blinking and we begin the seat dance again. This time... the gremlins have decided that it won't be so easy - and we can't get the bike to start. Not to fear - Nadine has both Triple A and AMA - she chooses AMA and they promise help in 45 minutes. During this time - she brings up the stupid butterfly guy - and again - his name is not to be mentioned - it seems when it is - something not good occurs. bikes fly by us - not one stops to see if we need help- a car with 2 teenagers stop - their parents would be proud - seems their parents ride - and they felt compelled to check on us - very nice! A trucker from Werner trucking - no older than the girls that stopped - pulls over and checks on us as well - some how this kid (and really he hadnt started shaving yet) was able to pull an 18 wheeler over to check on us - while these Bad Ass Biker Guys couldnt be bothered. That's OK we are women hear us roar! Up rolls our hero - a kid in a souped up honda with a battery charger - no really - no flat bed - no tow truck - a red portable battery charger.. that poor guy took his life in his own hands with the 5 of us - tired - dusty and looking for a flat bed to tow Nausea back to Woodstock. Well darned if that kid didnt get that bike going. I think he surprised himself... well Nadine had to show him where the leads were to her battery - but he did take credit.
It seemed like one minute we were in the sun - the next - PITCH Dark.. and guess which road gave the best access to Nadine's house? Are ya following me here... BACK the way we came - CUBA ROAD! IN THE DARK! PAST THE CEMETERY! We couldnt let Nadine head off with a battery that might not stay charged- so Janet and Lisa figured they could follow Nadine to 59 and Cuba and I called a friend - the same one that was kind enough to get up at 3 a.m. to be our Iron butt witness - to catch up and follow Nadine from 59 to woodstock. I was sent back to Chicago. As I fought Sunday night Chicago traffic on the Kennedy... Nadine, Lisa and Janet headed down Cuba road... Whoa... Kennedy - Cuba.. 59... I just put that all together!!! (President Kennedy.. Cuba... Bay of Pigs... -we were on Hogs... Cuba revolution was in 1959... spooky!)
As far as I know they all made it safe -but I am sure there are stories they are not telling of orbs and lights - I do know that Nadine sent texts that she would be sleeping with the lights on and reviewing the pictures she took along the way in the daylight!
Now, as a club we welcome riders of all bike brands - and Nadine's bike woes seemed to come out of nowhere BUT she pointed the blame at the paranormal... seems she is of the belief that the ghosts liked her bike best - and wanted it to STAY on Cuba Road... perhaps Cuba Road Charlie knows a slick ride when he sees one... Or maybe he just wanted that darn orange helmet! Either way we won't know - unless there's an App for that!!!!
MJ - former ghost hunter