LonBon22

LonBon22 A Michigan native always traveling somewhere & exploring something! Life abandoned or current has a story worth telling! Live life, travel more, learn more! 🌲✋

Food, nature, and life experiences are a passion! My name is Lonni Gilmore also known as LonBon22. I graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a B.A. in Graphic Design & Marketing as well as High Honors + National Honors Phi Theta Kappa. I am a certified Marketer and Social Media Influencer who specializes in Audience Growth & Media/ Content Promotion. I Love traveling! I have a huge passion for life and adventures! Live Life! Be Happy! Dream Big!

~ Lonni

09/24/2026

The Saginaw Valley Rail Trail is an 11-mile fully paved multi-use pathway that runs through Saginaw County, Michigan, linking the city of Saginaw (at Stroebel Road) to the village of St. Charles (at Water Street). Built along an abandoned 1860s rail corridor, the trail is managed as a linear county park and is highly popular for walking, running, biking, and inline skating.
The trail crosses seven restored railroad bridges over local rivers and creeks, including the scenic overlook and bridge system over Swan Creek pictured here.
Much of the trail's path features a preserved tree canopy, providing dense shade that keeps the trail cool during the hot summer months.
It edges past the Shiawassee State Game Area and the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, making it a prime spot for bird watching, with viewing platforms and interpretive signs along the path.
An 8-mile parallel unpaved equestrian trail runs alongside the main paved path for horseback riding.
The trail features three main parking and access points, each equipped with various amenities:

• Stroebel Road Trailhead (Northern Terminus): Located at 6225 Stroebel Rd, Saginaw.

•Van Wormer Road Trailhead (Midpoint): Located at 2998 Van Wormer Rd, Saginaw. This site includes restroom facilities, drinking fountains, horse trailer parking, and a nearby handicap-accessible fishing dock on Swan Creek.

•Lumberjack Park Trailhead (Southern Terminus): Located at 401 E. Water St, St. Charles. This trailhead has a bike repair station, water fountain, and restrooms.

The Saginaw Valley Rail Trail is an 11-mile fully paved multi-use pathway that runs through Saginaw County, Michigan, li...
09/24/2026

The Saginaw Valley Rail Trail is an 11-mile fully paved multi-use pathway that runs through Saginaw County, Michigan, linking the city of Saginaw (at Stroebel Road) to the village of St. Charles (at Water Street). Built along an abandoned 1860s rail corridor, the trail is managed as a linear county park and is highly popular for walking, running, biking, and inline skating.
The trail crosses seven restored railroad bridges over local rivers and creeks, including the scenic overlook and bridge system over Swan Creek pictured here.
Much of the trail's path features a preserved tree canopy, providing dense shade that keeps the trail cool during the hot summer months.
It edges past the Shiawassee State Game Area and the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge, making it a prime spot for bird watching, with viewing platforms and interpretive signs along the path.
An 8-mile parallel unpaved equestrian trail runs alongside the main paved path for horseback riding.
The trail features three main parking and access points, each equipped with various amenities:

• Stroebel Road Trailhead (Northern Terminus): Located at 6225 Stroebel Rd, Saginaw.

•Van Wormer Road Trailhead (Midpoint): Located at 2998 Van Wormer Rd, Saginaw. This site includes restroom facilities, drinking fountains, horse trailer parking, and a nearby handicap-accessible fishing dock on Swan Creek.

•Lumberjack Park Trailhead (Southern Terminus): Located at 401 E. Water St, St. Charles. This trailhead has a bike repair station, water fountain, and restrooms.

09/24/2026

The Old Joliet Prison located in Joliet, Illinois.
Designed by prominent Chicago architect William W. Boyington, the structure was built in a distinctive Castellated Gothic style to resemble a medieval fortress.
The history of this historic landmark spans over a century of prison reform, overcrowding, and modern pop-culture fame:
Following a push by prison reformer Dorothea Dix to replace a deteriorating facility in Alton, Illinois, construction on the Joliet site began in 1857. The prison was built primarily using the forced labor of the convicts themselves.
Inmates quarried the iconic yellow-tinted limestone directly from the on-site quarry grounds to build the walls and structures.
The first group of prisoners arrived in May 1858, and the facility officially fully opened in 1860.
During the American Civil War, the facility served double duty, housing both civilian criminals and Confederate prisoners of war.
Although initially designed to house around 1,300 inmates, the population exploded to nearly 2,000 by 1878. This led to notoriously harsh, unsanitary, and deeply unsafe conditions.
Female inmates were originally kept on the upper floors of the central administration building until a separate, replica women's prison was constructed across the street in 1896.
The facility lacked basic running water and functioning toilets inside cells until 1910.
The prison housed many infamous criminals over its lifespan, including:

Leopold and Loeb: The duo who committed the 1924 "crime of the century".

John Wayne Gacy: The serial killer spent time here early in his life on an unrelated charge before being moved elsewhere.

1975 Riot: Inmates affiliated with Chicago street gangs took over a cellblock and held several correctional guards hostage, resulting in the tragic murder of a reformed inmate who tried to negotiate peace.
The prison became globally recognized after appearing in the opening scenes of The Blues Brothers, where it served as the holding facility for "Joliet" Jake Blues.
It later served as the primary backdrop for the entire first season of the TV show Prison Break, operating under the fictional name "Fox River State Penitentiary".
Due to budget cuts and obsolete, decaying facilities, Governor George Ryan closed the prison in 2002.
After being abandoned to the elements for years, the City of Joliet secured operations of the site. In 2023, the prison was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is run by the Joliet Area Historical Museum and is open to the public for historical, architectural, and paranormal tours.

The Old Joliet Prison located in Joliet, Illinois.Designed by prominent Chicago architect William W. Boyington, the stru...
09/24/2026

The Old Joliet Prison located in Joliet, Illinois.
Designed by prominent Chicago architect William W. Boyington, the structure was built in a distinctive Castellated Gothic style to resemble a medieval fortress.
The history of this historic landmark spans over a century of prison reform, overcrowding, and modern pop-culture fame:
Following a push by prison reformer Dorothea Dix to replace a deteriorating facility in Alton, Illinois, construction on the Joliet site began in 1857. The prison was built primarily using the forced labor of the convicts themselves.
Inmates quarried the iconic yellow-tinted limestone directly from the on-site quarry grounds to build the walls and structures.
The first group of prisoners arrived in May 1858, and the facility officially fully opened in 1860.
During the American Civil War, the facility served double duty, housing both civilian criminals and Confederate prisoners of war.
Although initially designed to house around 1,300 inmates, the population exploded to nearly 2,000 by 1878. This led to notoriously harsh, unsanitary, and deeply unsafe conditions.
Female inmates were originally kept on the upper floors of the central administration building until a separate, replica women's prison was constructed across the street in 1896.
The facility lacked basic running water and functioning toilets inside cells until 1910.
The prison housed many infamous criminals over its lifespan, including:

Leopold and Loeb: The duo who committed the 1924 "crime of the century".

John Wayne Gacy: The serial killer spent time here early in his life on an unrelated charge before being moved elsewhere.

1975 Riot: Inmates affiliated with Chicago street gangs took over a cellblock and held several correctional guards hostage, resulting in the tragic murder of a reformed inmate who tried to negotiate peace.
The prison became globally recognized after appearing in the opening scenes of The Blues Brothers, where it served as the holding facility for "Joliet" Jake Blues.
It later served as the primary backdrop for the entire first season of the TV show Prison Break, operating under the fictional name "Fox River State Penitentiary".
Due to budget cuts and obsolete, decaying facilities, Governor George Ryan closed the prison in 2002.
After being abandoned to the elements for years, the City of Joliet secured operations of the site. In 2023, the prison was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it is run by the Joliet Area Historical Museum and is open to the public for historical, architectural, and paranormal tours.

09/23/2026

Bighorn Sheep on Mount Evans (officially renamed Mount Blue Sky) in Colorado are an iconic and easily spotted alpine wildlife population thriving at elevations over 14,000 feet.
Mountain goats are not native to Colorado. They were introduced by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) during the 1950s to establish a game population.
They frequent rocky cliffs, steep ledges, and alpine tundra, frequently seen near the summit parking lots, roadways, and restrooms along the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway.
Their specialized hooves feature a hard outer rim for gripping narrow rock edges and soft, rubbery inner pads that act like natural climbing shoes on vertical cliffs.
The population has faced severe health hurdles, notably mysterious illness outbreaks in 2013 and 2019 that caused heavy mortality among newborn kids (baby goats) due to severe gastrointestinal illness.
Researchers and wildlife agencies have historically tracked and marked (sometimes visibly painted or tagged) individual female goats and kids to collect f***l samples and monitor herd health and disease recovery.
Wildlife officials recommend the thumb rule: hold your thumb out at arm's length; if your thumb completely covers the goat, you are roughly 70 to 75 feet away, which is a safe viewing distance. Near crowded areas like summit restrooms, maintain at least 25 to 30 feet.
Never feed or approach the goats for photos or selfies. Their sharp, hooking horns can inflict severe defensive injuries, and habituated animals often become dangerously aggressive. Opinions on the mountain's naming history are mixed on forums like Reddit, but visitors universally agree that respecting these high-altitude animals keeps both humans and wildlife safe.
**Post was corrected to Bighorn Sheep.

09/23/2026

Copper & Petoskey Stone Cutting in Copper Harbor, Michigan.
Copper Harbor, Michigan, located at the northern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, is a world-renowned destination for geologists and lapidaries (stone cutters). Shaped by a massive 1.1-billion-year-old continental rift and later carved by glaciers, its unique geologic formations have yielded the world's largest deposits of pure native copper alongside remarkably rare gemstones.
Around 1.1 billion years ago, the North American continent began to split apart right along what is now Lake Superior. Lava flowed from this rift, cooling to form thick layers of dark basalt (the Portage Lake Volcanics). As the rift collapsed, massive rivers deposited thick layers of gravel, creating the Copper Harbor Conglomerate a distinct, reddish sedimentary rock filled with rounded volcanic cobbles.
Unlike most copper worldwide, which is bound up in sulfur or oxygen ores, the Keweenaw Peninsula features native copper pure, elemental metal. Hot geothermal fluids traveling through the fractured basalt and conglomerate dropped copper into the empty cavities (amygdules) and cracks.
The weight of these massive lava flows caused the earth to sag, forming a massive bowl structure beneath Lake Superior. The rock strata dip downward into the lake, meaning the exact same rock formations exposed at Copper Harbor tilt under the water and re-emerge on Isle Royale National Park to the north.
Thousands of years ago, massive glaciers advanced and retreated over the region, scouring away softer rock, exposing the hard volcanic ridges (like Brockway Mountain), and leaving the shoreline scattered with tumbled, pre-polished beach stones.
Copper Harbor is a paradise for rockhounds and stone cutters because the gas bubbles in the ancient lava flows were filled with beautiful minerals, creating natural lapidary material.
Chlorastrolite is Michigan’s official state gemstone, and it is incredibly rare. It is found almost exclusively in the Keweenaw Peninsula and Isle Royale.
When cut and polished into cabochons, it exhibits a distinct "turtle-back" patternwith beautiful chatoyancy (a cat's-eye effect). It is fragile and demands a gentle touch on the grinding wheels.
These agates are famous for their rich, iron-red, orange, and white banding. They formed when silica-rich water filled the cavities of the basalt.
Because agates have a Mohs hardness of 7, they are highly durable. Lapidaries use diamond saws to cut them into slabs to reveal their intricate inner rings.
Often found in the local basalt, these minerals frequently feature inclusions of native copper.
Cutting a stone like prehnite or quartz that contains native copper wire requires specialized care. Copper is very soft (Mohs 2.5–3) compared to the surrounding mineral. If a stone cutter isn't careful, the copper will "smear" or tear across the harder surface of the gemstone during polishing.
Highly prized by local stone cutters, Keweenaw datolite is unique because it forms in dense, porcelain-like nodules rather than crystals. It comes in shades of yellow, pink, white, and red, often tinted by trace copper or silver.
If you want to view these rocks or buy local lapidary art, stop by the historic Keweenaw Agate Shop right in Copper Harbor, which has been operating since 1956. For a deep dive into the science, the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Technological University in nearby Houghton houses the premier collection of Keweenaw minerals.

Copper & Petoskey Stone Cutting in Copper Harbor, Michigan.Copper Harbor, Michigan, located at the northern tip of the K...
09/23/2026

Copper & Petoskey Stone Cutting in Copper Harbor, Michigan.
Copper Harbor, Michigan, located at the northern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, is a world-renowned destination for geologists and lapidaries (stone cutters). Shaped by a massive 1.1-billion-year-old continental rift and later carved by glaciers, its unique geologic formations have yielded the world's largest deposits of pure native copper alongside remarkably rare gemstones.
Around 1.1 billion years ago, the North American continent began to split apart right along what is now Lake Superior. Lava flowed from this rift, cooling to form thick layers of dark basalt (the Portage Lake Volcanics). As the rift collapsed, massive rivers deposited thick layers of gravel, creating the Copper Harbor Conglomerate a distinct, reddish sedimentary rock filled with rounded volcanic cobbles.
Unlike most copper worldwide, which is bound up in sulfur or oxygen ores, the Keweenaw Peninsula features native copper pure, elemental metal. Hot geothermal fluids traveling through the fractured basalt and conglomerate dropped copper into the empty cavities (amygdules) and cracks.
The weight of these massive lava flows caused the earth to sag, forming a massive bowl structure beneath Lake Superior. The rock strata dip downward into the lake, meaning the exact same rock formations exposed at Copper Harbor tilt under the water and re-emerge on Isle Royale National Park to the north.
Thousands of years ago, massive glaciers advanced and retreated over the region, scouring away softer rock, exposing the hard volcanic ridges (like Brockway Mountain), and leaving the shoreline scattered with tumbled, pre-polished beach stones.
Copper Harbor is a paradise for rockhounds and stone cutters because the gas bubbles in the ancient lava flows were filled with beautiful minerals, creating natural lapidary material.
Chlorastrolite is Michigan’s official state gemstone, and it is incredibly rare. It is found almost exclusively in the Keweenaw Peninsula and Isle Royale.
When cut and polished into cabochons, it exhibits a distinct "turtle-back" patternwith beautiful chatoyancy (a cat's-eye effect). It is fragile and demands a gentle touch on the grinding wheels.
These agates are famous for their rich, iron-red, orange, and white banding. They formed when silica-rich water filled the cavities of the basalt.
Because agates have a Mohs hardness of 7, they are highly durable. Lapidaries use diamond saws to cut them into slabs to reveal their intricate inner rings.
Often found in the local basalt, these minerals frequently feature inclusions of native copper.
Cutting a stone like prehnite or quartz that contains native copper wire requires specialized care. Copper is very soft (Mohs 2.5–3) compared to the surrounding mineral. If a stone cutter isn't careful, the copper will "smear" or tear across the harder surface of the gemstone during polishing.
Highly prized by local stone cutters, Keweenaw datolite is unique because it forms in dense, porcelain-like nodules rather than crystals. It comes in shades of yellow, pink, white, and red, often tinted by trace copper or silver.
If you want to view these rocks or buy local lapidary art, stop by the historic Keweenaw Agate Shop right in Copper Harbor, which has been operating since 1956. For a deep dive into the science, the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Technological University in nearby Houghton houses the premier collection of Keweenaw minerals.

The Spinning Jenny's House of Music located right along historic Route 66 in Shamrock, Texas.Long before it filled the T...
09/22/2026

The Spinning Jenny's House of Music located right along historic Route 66 in Shamrock, Texas.
Long before it filled the Texas Panhandle with music, this concrete-block building operated as Jimmy's Service Station, a classic Texaco gas station that opened in 1950. It originally featured two garage service bays framed by iconic Texaco-style multi-pane windows.
Positioned just down the street from the town's legendary art-deco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn, it served decades of cross-country travelers fueling up along the "Mother Road."
After sitting abandoned for years following the decline of the old highway, the property was purchased, completely renovated, and reimagined as a record store and live music space.
Today, the storefront is famous for its hand-painted murals celebrating music history featuring vinyl records, flowing sheet music, and a Route 66 shield painted directly onto the stucco facade where the old service station bays used to be. It functions as a beloved community spot that keeps the retro spirit of the highway alive through classic vinyl sales and live music events.

Campus Martius Park located in the heart of downtown Detroit, Michigan. Often described as the city's "living room," thi...
09/22/2026

Campus Martius Park located in the heart of downtown Detroit, Michigan.
Often described as the city's "living room," this historic location serves as the point of origin for Detroit's main avenues.
The Detroit Christmas Tree Located in the center background, this towering Michigan-grown spruce is decorated annually with over 20,000 twinkling lights and a massive star at its peak.
The prominent mid-century modern patterned building directly behind the tree is known as The Qube (historically Chase Tower or the National Bank of Detroit Building), designed by Albert Kahn Associates.
Towering in the background are iconic architectural landmarks, including the historic Art Deco Greater Penobscot Building rising on the right.
The illuminated trees, tents, and gathering crowds frame The Rink at Campus Martius Park, a premier winter destination for outdoor ice skating. Many gather around during Christmas time and sing and join in on ice skating. Many food vendors also serve special holiday food, treats, and beverages.

Abandoned/ Vacant Garage at the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant Located in Charlestown, Indiana.Built in 1940 by E.I. du P...
09/22/2026

Abandoned/ Vacant Garage at the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant Located in Charlestown, Indiana.
Built in 1940 by E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., the plant grew to become one of the largest smokeless powder and munitions manufacturing complexes in the world.
At its peak, the vast industrial footprint spanned thousands of acres and included over 1,000 production, storage, and administrative buildings.
Production officially halted in the 1990s. Over the years, segments of the massive property have been cleaned up and integrated into the Charlestown State Park, while other portions were redeveloped into the River Ridge Commerce Center. Many derelict industrial support buildings and powder-line facilities still dot the landscape, slowly being reclaimed by nature.

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