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In the summer issue of American Road Magazine we took a jog through the Deep South in Tunnel Vision and explored the Grand Gulf-Raymond Scenic Byway. Signs have finally been put up that tells the story of this 50 mile stretch of southern byway beauty which traces one of the most significant marches in America’s bloody Civil War.

Our guest on this podcast is Ret. General Parker Hills, a Civil War military expert and longtime supporter of the Grand Gulf-Raymond Scenic Byway. Journey with us as he describes the route and its relationship to General Ulysses Grant’s pivotal victory at Vicksburg.

This podcast is brought to you by the Illinois Heritage Corridor who invite you to wrap up your summer with a roar at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill Sept 11-13. The chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup starts here with three days of rip roaring, heart pounding entertainment for the whole family. For more information visit chicagolandspeedway.com.

Today’s podcast is also brought to you by Vandalia, Ill where for more than forty years, they has been celebrating their history and heritage with the Grande Levee’ on the grounds of the Vandalia Statehouse, the Oldest State Capitol Building in Illinois. This year, 2014, the event will be held on the first weekend of October, October 3 & 4. All events for the Grande Levee’ will take place on the Statehouse Lawn.

Bring the entire family for a wonderful harvest festival at the Vandalia Grande Levee.

For more information on the Harvest Festival, contact Latisha Paslay, Tourism Commission Directorat at 618-283-2728 or email: lpaslay@vandaliaillinois.com.