September is the month for car aficionados in the Lake County Area!  For this month’s community calendar, we’ve rounded up an incredible number of car shows, car events, and pop-ups to delight gearheads of all ages. Plus, we’ve got other fun events like comedy nights, craft and sip events, and more!

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We’ve covered a lot of grounds as far as National Parks go, giving you lots of travel guides and road trip itinerary inspiration.  Today, we’re celebrating National Park Service Founders day with a brief history of the National Parks Service and its founding, followed by a short list of National Parks and Historic Sites to explore in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin!

During the Act of March 1st, 1872, Congress established the grounds of Yellowstone Park in the territories of Montana and Wyoming, which kickstarted the whole National Parks Movement.  Later, in August 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act which created the National Park Service, a federal bureau in the Department of the Interior responsible for protecting the 35 national parks and monuments then managed by the department, as well as future ones not yet designated.  The Executive Order in 1933 helped transfer 56 national monuments and military sites to the National Park Service.  Today, the National Park system is made up of more than 400 designated areas, including the 50 US States and Territories.

How many national parks have you been to? Here’s a starting point to mark off on your National Parks map:

• Lewis & Clark Historic Trail (Spans 16 states including IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, MT, NE, ND, OH, OR, PA, SD, WA, WV) winds through almost 4,900 miles of the homelands from over 60 Tribal nations. It follows the inbound and outbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-1806 from Pittsburg through to the Pacific Ocean.
  
• Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail (In IL, IA, NE, UT, WY) follows the 1,300 mile path of the Mormons who fled Nauvoo and settled down in the Great Salt Lake Valley from 1846-1847.
  
• Pullman National Historic Park in Chicago, IL is located on the far south side of Chicago.  The visitor center offers tours at 11AM and 2PM daily.

• Shawnee National Forest in Herod IL encompasses 289,000 stunning acres of parkland located in Southern Illinois and nestled between both the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.  Visitors will find breathtaking scenic views from the top of great canyons and sandstone cliffs, and stunning crystal clear waters and rocky streams. The many lakes, ponds, waterfalls, rivers, and streams of the area are perfect for fishing and swimming, and the sprawling prairies and woodland trails are perfect for hiking, cycling, trail running and more.
  
• Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in Thomson IL is the longest, contiguous river refuge in the continental US at 261 miles in length!  The refuge includes protected wetlands, islands, marshes, and floodplain forests, many of which are accessible only by boat. Some portions of the refuge are open to seasonal hunting, trapping, and fishing but they do have very restrictive regulations.

• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Bayfield, WI encompasses 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland coastal protected areas.  In addition to the incredible bluffs on the shores of Lake Superior, it’s also home to the largest collection of historic lighthouses in the nation!
  
• Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Rhinelander WI spans a jaw dropping 1.5 million acres of unspoiled wilderness across Wisconsin’s Northwoods.  You’ll find no shortage of outdoorsy activities such as canoeing, hiking, cycling, paddling, cross-country skiing, camping, fishing, and more.
  
• Indiana Dunes National Park in Porter IN has 15 miles of gorgeous shoreline along the southern banks of Lake Michigan. The park is home to some of the highest dunes towering over the lake at nearly 200 feet high with impressive views and landscapes of the area!  It’s also an incredible destination for birdwatching, wildlife enthusiasts, and nature photography!

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We love sharing road trips and travel guides with our readers!  It’s exciting to share suggestions for an itinerary full of amazing entertainment, excitement, and adventure, and help you discover great new places in the MidWest. Today’s road trip destination is Fort Wayne, Indiana, less than a four hour drive from our hometown of Waukegan.  It’s a great getaway for a long weekend or a new destination to shake things up from your usual.  So let’s take a look at the fun things in the area, and make some plans together!

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Today is National Discovery Day, and we’re sharing some incredible places that are hidden gems right in your own backyard here in the Lake County area.  From theatre shows to indoor adventure parks to gaming simulators to animals, we’ve got an incredible selection for just about every set of interests and hobbies.  Let’s explore our community and support some new businesses and creative establishments together.

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Inspired by rally cars, and built with high performance driving in mind, the Toyota GR Corolla has built a solid fanbase amidst race fans and performance enthusiasts.  A 300-horsepower turbocharged engine, All Wheel Drive aggressive stance, and sporty styling made it one of the most sought after hot hatches.  Fans got their first glimpse of the impressive Toyota GR Corolla last year in 2022 at Laguna Seca when it was named official pace car for the 2022 NASA National Championships.  This year, the vehicle is delivering an encore performance after being named the pace car for 2023.

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Women’s Equality day is celebrated in commemoration of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, which awarded women the right to vote in 1878.  In 1971, Congress deemed August 26th would be henceforth Women’s Equality Day. We’re going to share 5 mini profiles on notable women who pioneered the automotive industry from driving to design to engineering, and highlight some big names in racing. And stick around to the end to check out some great YouTube Videos of notable women in the automotive industry who are disrupting the status quo and changing the game!

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There’s nothing we love more than hitting the open road and taking in the gorgeous landscapes and scenery that sprawl across US highways and byways.  Today, we’re exploring the iconic North Shore Scenic Drive, also known as Highway 61, which stretches from Duluth, Minnesota up through to the Canadian Border!

Running along the coast of Lake Superior, you’ll find no shortage of absolutely breathtaking pine forests, rocky cliffs, lakeside wildlife, and so much more.  So let’s check it out and plan our getaway itinerary together!

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Today we’re exploring another great road trip opportunity, this time highlighting the Nebraska Sandhills National Scenic Byway (which is so beloved it has its own trip planning app!)  Virtually untouched by development or human interference, this gorgeous byway is rife with scenic dune landscapes, rolling native grasses, sparkling blue lakes and streams, and incredible wildlife and ecosystems.

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Today is National Roller Coaster Day! Being car people, we understand the rush of new adventures and the need for speed, and that’s why today’s post is dedicated to some of the best amusement parks and coaster destinations in the Midwest, United States.  Coaster aficionados will scour the land to find the best fix of adrenaline rush from the drops, spins, dips, and twirls, and are always looking for better, faster, stronger thrills. Folks who love coasters will tell you that it brings them unparalleled joy, excitement, happiness, and satisfaction.  And we can’t say we blame ‘em!  So let’s hit the road to fun and adventure and check ‘em out on today’s blog.

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Here at Classic Toyota, nothing means more to us than supporting our community and giving back to our neighbors!

This August, we are pleased to announce that we’re continuing our mission to increase our outreach efforts and participate in even more charitable community support. Our dealership will be participating in the Kids in Need Foundation and Toyota Motor North America partnership and their “August Big Summer Giveback” Event.

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