#8: [16-Jan-11]

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#5: [11-Mar-06]

#4: [25-Oct-05]

#2: [22-Jul-04]

#1: [02-Sep-00]

19-Nov-2004 -- On a 540-mile drive from Mississippi to Chicago, I took the opportunity to break the monotony of the trip by visiting my first Illinois degree confluence and introducing my traveling companions to the wonderful world of the DCP. A survey of points along our route produced several likely candidates for a quick and easy visit, but I settled on 41N 88W to allow anticipation to build to a fever pitch by the time we arrived in the vicinity. The sky had been overcast from Tennessee northward, and a light drizzle fell as we turned west off I-57 at Chebanse, IL. Other than a utility crew working on a water line along Route 37 just outside of town, the approach to the CP was uneventful. The soy bean crop found growing by the previous visitors last July had long since been harvested, but we found the surrounding field was much greener than I had expected. Route 37 north of the confluence has seen some recent shoulder work with a fresh thick layer of limestone gravel lining the roadway.

The steady rain hampered our photography efforts, but did little to dampen our spirits. A little bit of puddle jumping, a little bit of side stepping and we were on the spot with ten zeroes. The inclement weather shortened the celebration festivities, and within a matter of minutes we found ourselves heading back to the interstate, and on north to the Windy City.