Day 4 - Illinois, Indiana and Manchester University

The Mud Dragons and went on a drive that was an adventure...that's what happens sometimes when you tell your maps program to avoid toll roads when you get to the eastern half of the USA!

The route we were put on cut straight across central Illinois and Indiana.  I think I was on an interstate for a total of 3-4 miles all together.  The path went from US highways to State highways to County roads lacking centerlines, to what I can only call "Farmer Bob's Road" that was unpaved for a handful of miles.  These roads were uneven enough that at times it felt like I was at sea - EEEeeeee!  But in the end, I worked my way back up to State highways that brought us to our primary destination - North Manchester, Indiana, home of Manchester University (formerly College).  

Most A-list groups like mine don't consider a tiny liberal arts college in a small town in northern Indiana to be a prime destination, but I do!  

It's a beautiful campus, and my first job out of graduate school was at Manchester College (now University), where I was a member of the biology department.  I taught aquatic biology (freshwater and marine), zoology and environmental science.  Our ten years in North Manchester were wonderful.

This is the main quad on campus, looking south.  It was so nostalgic being there, especially with the cicadas buzzing in the trees - there are no cicadas where I live.

This is all I have time for today...stay tuned for more adventures of Big Al and the Mud Dragons!