Travel Experiences with Jeff and Cindy Barganier
The Crown Jewels of Marion Illinois
wilderness treasure looks beyond amazing. It’s no doubt one of the crown jewels of Southern Illinois.
There are towns. Then there are towns that show us the way. I first became interested in Marion, Illinois after reading about its murals, especially those painted by a charming fourteenyear-old named Maddie Deiters. I found Maddie’s story so uplifting and inspiring that I longed to see her art in person. And I did. (See last month’s issue of BOOM! online at https://tinyurl. com/yckkwk8a or scan the QR Code.)
Jeff's Favorite, Banana Pudding @ 17th Street BBQ
This feature is about what else I discovered. Marion (pop. 17,500) is 400 miles north-northeast of The River Region. Part of a dispersed urban area that emerged from early 20th Century coal fields, Marion is today the largest retail trade center in Southern Illinois. Former Mayor Robert Butler—the longest serving mayor in Illinois history—called Marion the “Hub of the Universe.”
The Vault Cafe
But when exploring a new city, I want lodging close to Dunkin Donuts, sweet tea and great barbecue. Marion’s Country Inn and Suites—currently under renovation—is across the street from Dunkin and a parking lot down from 17th Street BBQ. This local favorite restaurant has outstanding barbecue and serves a generous helping of excellent banana pudding in a jar. (I happen to be a banana pudding connoisseur.) It’s enough to share. Maybe.
You may remember my certain feature a while back where I wrote about seeing a young man wearing his pants below his bottom. I lamented, “Perhaps, someday, if we’re lucky, the South’s pants shall rise again.” I never once saw that Crown Brew Coffee 17th Street BBQ fellow in the “Hub of the Universe.” While Marion those I’d like to take my family back to, isn’t the flashiest place on and those I tend to forget. Hospitable the planet, it’s also not likely where you’ll We exited Interstate 57 late in the day, Marion with its youthful vibe is definitely get flashed either. That’s because Marion’s found our hotel, and made a dash for a town I’ll visit again. people are upstanding and outstanding. Domino’s Pizza. The workers at Domino’s And its leadership consist of no-nonsense, gave a first impression of what I would When camping, I want a site near pro-law enforcement, visionaries who learn to expect from these “Southerners water, beneath colorful hardwoods. The think of their city as “The Oasis of of Illinois.” They’re hardworking, friendly, Shawnee National Forest near Marion Opportunity.” Marion is the political courteous, and appreciative of my has both. I haven’t camped there … yet. antithesis of Chicago, 319 miles north. business. This is important to me because But from photos available online, this I have two categories for places I visit:
42 BOOM!
May 2022
RiverRegionBoom.com
The River Region’s 50+ Lifestage Magazine
