The westbound resarea is similar to east bound but they are separated by a few miles. It has a playground, picnic areas, flowers and a memorial to Columbus. I could not identify the three rivers but two may be Fox River and Illinois River. Eastbound
Illinois really over does with their rest areas with playgroundm arge grassy areas and picnic facilities. These are the Great Saul Trail. They are on the I-80 which I traveled to see Jeremy. westbound eastbound
Grand Tower has fascinated me wince my father took us there when he was scout master for the Carbondale Branch troop 151. I was told that the island was the smallest National Park in the United States. It actually is not a National Park but is part of a Conservation area which is small and includes some of the Missouri shore. When I was traveling from Carbondale to St. Louis I made it a point to drive past this area and take a few pictures. The campground is called Devil's Backbone. The island tower is actually in Missouri. When the water is very low you can access the island from the Missouri side. I was always fascinated by tragedy of the wedding story which left me forever scared of whirlpools on the Mississippi.