Peoria area is pretty. Situated on the Illinois river, there are beautiful river bluffs giving the nearby country a pretty, rolling look. The river is very nice and we're blessed with both a stern-wheeled cruise boat that reminds you of the old river boats; and, a new "gambling" boat ... the PAR-A-DICE. Great parks, fairly low cost of living. Many of the features of a larger city (planitarium, zoo, wildlife sanctuary, excellent museum, etc.) while permitting a person to reach any part of the city in 15-30 minutes tops. Good interstate and air connections and some lovely small cities surrounding Peoria (which is where I actually live. A little town of around 15K). Four seasons as some of you have seen in my park pictures .

Plus, I guess, just a couple of hours from Chicago; 3 1/2 from Indianapolis; 3 from St. Louis; and, about 3 from Des Moines. Maybe 7 hours to the Mall of the Americas near the twin cities in Minnesota; and within easy striking distance of Milwaulkee and Memphis.

Worst thing ... hmmmmmm ... maybe the distances involved in reaching the western mountains or the eastern coasts; the northern woodlands or the southern Gulf. Come to think of it, that makes us centrally located ... so maybe that's not so bad.