The Iron Furnace

"The Illinois Iron Furnace is the only remaining iron furnace structure in the state of Illinois. Iron was manufactured at the Illinois Furnace by the charcoal blast method. The furnace was built on a dry laid limestone foundation. The exterior of the furnace was manufactured of large limestone blocks quarried near the town of Cave-In-Rock"

After a few wrong turns and a long dusty gravel road, we found the Iron Furnace. Not much to look at but we did enjoy the "swimming hole"

It was a wonderful little creek with a rope swing and lots of crawdads. We had a nice time until the locals starting coming down. Then it was time to skedaddle! I've seen way too many movies!

Back to the camp, boy did we miss the sound of the cicada's! :) After showers, we danced in the street, blew bubbles, cooked hotdogs, and relaxed. Ahhhh