Saturday, December 18, 2010

Peoria, IL

This will be the first installment of a little section I like to call "Zoolander's Travels."  Jason (or Zoo to his buddies) travels all over the country to many cities outside the major ones with his job.  From time to time, we'll check in and give a little account of his adventures along the way!

Peoria (pee-or-ee-ah) is the largest city on the Illinois River.  A population of 372,487 in 2008 made it the third largest metropolis in the area after Chicago and St. Louis. And currently, it’s where Jason is opening the newest “burgers & fries” store.


While back home in the DC-Metro area this week, we’ve had our first “major” snow of the year at 1-2 inches and temps in the low 30s, Jason’s been battling highs in the 20s with a quarter or half inch of snow accumulation almost daily!

So, what’s there to do when he’s not staying bundled up in his hotel room or training the team on the grill? Here are just a few highlights I certainly hope he’ll take advantage of!

 
The Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway unites more than 100 nature-based destinations throughout the Illinois River Valley.  The Byway guides through the Valley, showcasing great places to discover and experience the region, and some of Illinois’ most treasured, natural gems.

 
Housed in the Donald B. Cerf Center at Eureka College, the Ronald Reagan Museum features over 2,000 items from Reagan's student days at Eureka, movie and TV career, governorship of California and two terms as President of the U.S. The majority of artifacts were donated by Reagan himself. The Peace Garden located on the historic campus includes a bust of the 40th president and a section of the Berlin Wall. The garden commemorates Reagan's 1982 campus speech that initiated the "beginning of the end" of the Cold War by proposing the elimination of an entire class of nuclear weapons.
 

Light up the night at the East Peoria Festival of Lights (FOLEPI)! The 26th annual Festival of Lights is a one-of-a-kind holiday spectacular. Journey through the Winter Wonderland which features two miles of captivating beauty while driving through a glowing park with an electric bill of $50,000!
 
Now J, make sure to go out and get all of this done, but be on the lookout for any approaching snow storms! I need you home to me by December 22nd. “All I want for Christmas is youuu!” (Picture me in my favorite flannel PJs, belting at the top of my lungs.)

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