Sunday, June 8, 2025
Dubuque, IA to Casey, IL – Mississippi River and Large Things

This was the first of a two-day push toward home, but we started off on the scenic route along the Mississippi River, spending a fair portion of the morning at Mississippi Palisades State Park. The 1-mile Sentinel Trail was a highlight.

Sentinel Rock

Mississippi Palisades State Park, Illinois

Will B. Rolling statue, Port Byron, IL

Leaving the Mississippi at Port Byron, we drove like fiends for the next many hours to our next – and last – awesome stop. Casey, Illinois, promotes itself as the “Big Things Small Town” and is known for its supersize attractions, many of them WORLD'S LARGEST and some simply BIG.

Big Antlers, Casey, IL

World's Largest Pitchfork

Big Softball Bat

World's Largest Golf Tee

The bulk of the attractions are in Casey's downtown, near the town's only stoplight, but a few are further flung. We had a printed map, but it was fun just wandering around and discovering as we went. It's like this place was made for us!

Big Pencil

World's Largest Barber's Pole

Big Bird Cage

Lodging: Days Inn, Casey, IL. A large, clean, comfortable room, and very cheap. Originally, we were going to spend the night an hour further east in Terre Haute, but when we arrived in Casey, we knew we had to stay.

World's Largest Mailbox

Big Mousetrap

World's Largest Rocking Chair

Dinner: Cilantro's Grill and Cantina. The burritos were great, and they had their own Big Taco out front!!

Big Taco

Big Bookworm

World's Largest Twizzle Spoon

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