Goose Lake Prairie Natural Area

Another beautiful fall day in northeast Illinois.  Too nice to do yard work, which will always be there.  Did a couple of local walks.  If you consider a local walk in the next county.

Started at Goose Lake Prairie State Natural area.  Saw evidence of deer and raccoons on the short 1/2 mile trail.  Also found a few butterflies.

I found this guy hanging out by the visitor center.  "You looking at me?"

The saying is that if the bees all die, so will mankind.  Nice to see our pollinators are still hard at work.

This nature area has a nice little visitor center to learn about the prairie.  According to signs, this is the largest natural prairie east of the Mississippi. 

An egret in the marsh

Sandstone bedrock found when the pond was enlarged

I saw these two pheasants on the road behind me.  They stayed on the road just long enough for a quick picture

On the way out, stopped at Heidecke Fish & Wildlife Area. 

Then back to Plainfield for a stop at Lake Renwick Preserve.  This is a heron rookery and reserve.  I've ridden my bike there before, but always when most of the rookery trails are closed. At this time of year, all trails are open.

 

The Metamorphosis Has Begun

Sometime, for some reason, at some point, everyone thinks about retirement.  My retirement travel bug started about 10 years ago when a coworker started planning to retire at age 55 and knew exactly what she wanted, which was to move to Colorado to be near family.  Six years later, she retired and followed her path.
 
I, on the other hand, had no clue, and believed I would just work till I dropped.  Somewhere, the seed was planted, or should I say the egg was laid for my butterfly travel bug.  So far, it looks like I am following the life cycle of my travel bug (egg, larva, pupa, and adult). 
 
My egg stage was basically the decision stage.  What do I want to do?  Work until I drop? Go back to school?  Take hobby classes?  Live somewhere really cheap so I can get back into the horse life? 
 
Somewhere between discovering the Motion TV show on the Livewell network, and the release of the movie The Bucket List (2007), I soon realized how much I wanted to see all of the beautiful places in our country and began my own bucket list.  From there it was a sort leap from how to do this, to the point of get an RV and go in any direction the wind blows.
 
Right now I’m somewhere in the larva, or caterpillar stage, but instead of eating and eating and eating; I’m researching and researching and researching. 

After going to the 2013 Chicago RV show, the first bit of research and decision was what kind of RV do I want?  An RV to drive or an RV to pull with another vehicle?  Driving an RV meant possibly having to tow another vehicle like a car or SUV (which I’ve come to learn is called a dingy or toad (so much lingo!) and having two vehicles to insure.  But pulling an RV (more lingo – a travel trailer or TT) gives you a vehicle for use when the RV is parked.
 
Then the online research began.  Finding RV websites, watching RV videos, trying to find people that RV, joining an RV forum run by and for women, and going to more RV shows and dealers. 
 
A decision has been made!  Drumroll please ~~~ buy an RV I can drive!  For my needs, to travel and not stay in one spot makes sense.  Plus if a runaround car is needed for any extended period of time, I’ve learned some people just rent a car in those cases.  Makes sense to me.  Later I can always decide to pull a dingy, but first things first. 

"Now what?” turned into going to more RV shows and RV dealers to determine what floor plan and amenities I’d want to have.  At first I thought, the smallest for the cheapest price, but soon realized that if the RV were to become my home (no more sticks and bricks for me), I’d want a little more room and a few more luxuries.  Okay, I’ll do without the ceiling fans, fireplaces, and washer and dryer because I’m not rich, but something homey.
 
Decision made (kind of)!  Sounds easy right?  NO! For something so small compared to a house, there are so many that are similar but different in layout.  A or C class?  How many slides?  What size are the slides? Where is the bed located, how is the kitchen laid out, how much kitchen storage and counter space? Does it have a couch?  Should eating area be a dinette, or U-shape or table?  How many does it sleep?  Where is the shower?  Are there electric steps or a step well?  Is an over cockpit bed needed or should it be an entertainment center?  Is there pass through basement storage?  Is there under bed storage?  Then there are the mechanical aspects to learn.  Black water tank, grey water tank, generator, inverter, batteries, emergency battery start capabilities, self leveling, rear view and optional side view cameras. What constitutes a four season rig?  Outside TV? (Really?  If I’m watching TV, the weather is bad so doubt I’d be outside).  Most of these decisions mean a longer and longer RV.

So, after 2 trips to Rockford, and other trips to Pontiac, Peoria, Orland Park, and Barrington, IL plus Indiana (twice) and an overnight trip to Forest City, IA to the Winnebago factory, if I were to buy today, the winner is an Itasca Cambria 30J. 

Fingers crossed the floor plans and amenities don’t change too much before I’m ready to buy.  If they do, at least, I’ll have a good idea of what I’d like.  Hopefully, I can get an RV, practice and learn (Aha! The cocoon (pupa) stage) for a few years before the final metamorphosis into my butterfly travel bug and retirement!  

 

Last Day of Summer 2013

It's the last day of summer 2013, weather is a beautiful 65 and sunny.  Since I didn't get too far in Kankakee with Zorro yesterday, decided to go to Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve after meeting Dad out in Elwood for breakfast. 

This preserve surrounds Argonne National Lab.  I've known about this preserve since I was a teenager.  Some people from the old stable hauled horses there for the trails.  Only saw 2 horses in a side parking lot.  Since I know by heart the Palos FP trails from 15 years of riding horses on them, I figured it was time to see Waterfall Glen from outside of a car. 

Argonne has a herd of white deer, but in (mumble mumble) years of driving thru and past  the preserve, I've never seen any, but they are still there.

Took the wrong way off the trail head so ended up on the north side of the loop.  I really need to read trail maps better.  This side of the trail was pretty boring.  Nothing to look at, the trees are right up to the path.  Walked about 4 1/2 miles round trip from the trail head to Westgate Road.  After this walk, drove around the area to refresh my memory of other parking areas.  If there is a next time, I think I'll get there early (very little parking there) and park by the outdoor education area.  From there the south loop would be a short walk towards the waterfall.

The preserve has well maintained gravel/limestone paths that are easily walkable.  The nice weather today brought out walkers, bikers, a couple of running groups and families with strollers.  No major hills, but just enough of a incline is some spots, to stress out the bad knee, which in turn, causes the bad back to act up, and then caused some funny walking.  Didn't get any blisters with the new hiking shoes, but felt one would start.  Good thing I turned around when I did instead of doing the entire loop.

This section of the loop was pretty peaceful, enough to be alone and gather my thoughts and look for wildlife.  One lone squirrel and 3 robins.  With the gravel path, the only noise heard was the  trail traffic coming or going, and basically white noise from I-55.

 Tear Thumb Marsh

Kankakee River State Park

Living in what is affectionately (?) called by me JoShoreField (Joliet utilities, thisclose to Shorewood, and a Plainfield address), is the close proximity to I-80, I-55 and I-57.  Today was a quick one hour ride to Kankakee River State Park.

I haven't been there is 25-30 years, so it was time to take another trip.  Took Zorro, aka Tubby, with me.  He hasn't been out with me for a few years, since Molly had her knee surgery in March 2011, so it ended up being two 1-mile walks, not a longer hike.

The park itself is quiet and not as crowded as Starved Rock, for example.  Lots of different named areas, all with easy access to the bike trail.  The paths are paved, so it's a good place to bike.  hmmm, maybe another trip is in order with the bike instead with Zorro.  There is a campground, but I didn't inspect it.  Reservations can be booked thru Reserve America.

     Map of the bike trail

 

The first walk was from the river bluffs area to the trail head.  The second walk was from the suspension bridge over Rock Creek to the pedestal.  Being a typical male, Zorro thought he had to stop at every tree, every branch, every weed, etc, but finally got into the idea of walking, not stopping.  The walks themselves were a good start to breaking in the new hiking shoes.

 

According to the park's pamphlet, there are 10.5 miles of biking trails, a 3 mile hike on Rock Creek leads to a waterfall and canyons (thanks to Tubby, didn't make it that far), as well as snowmobile trails, 15 miles of cross country trails, and a 12 mile equestrian trail (or as we call them, bridle paths).  Another bucket list item, whenever I retire, get back into horse back riding, maybe renting livery thru the national parks.

 

     Looking east up the river

     Looking west down the river

      Walking / bike path 

      One of the resting spots

      Still too early for fall colors.  Maybe another 3-4 weeks according to the TV weatherman.

   The Rock Creek path

 

A little Zorro history ~~~ not quite sure how old Zorro is, maybe 12 at this point.  Adopted him from Chicago Animal Control when, they thought, he was about 1 1/2 years old.  He was a stray that they knew about, but couldn't catch for 6 months.  Saw him at a pet expo at Navy Pier and with so many people and other dogs, he was as calm as could be, the perfect opposite for Molly who always wanted to play and be busy.  Dad always says "he's a good dog for an old guy".  Nothing bothers Zorro, not fireworks, thunderstorms, etc.  He does however, not seem to like German Shepherds for whatever reason.  I think he may have tangled with one when he was a stray.  He's got a round scar on his nose that looks like a bite mark. 

 

Anyway, during the walks at Kankakee today, he was a perfect gentleman whenever any other dogs went by, including a little dog in a bike basket that threw a fit when it passed.  A gentleman that is, until 2 German Shepherds walked past.  Zorro was ready to go at them.  Hair up on his back included.  Sure wish he could tell me what happened when he was a stray.  It's his only odd flaw.  Well that and his weak belly.  No table scraps for him.

 

 

 

Starved Rock SP Bluffs & Canyons

Back to Starved Rock state park today for a round trip hike along the Illinois River.  Avoided the rock and kept heading east along the river to the canyons.  Round trip about 4-5 miles from the visitor center to the LaSalle canyon loop. Past the rock the crowds thin out.  Clean trails, but lots of stairs to get to the bluffs, so maybe difficult for some hikers.
 
Too early for Fall color changes, but couldn't pass up the nice weather.  Couldn't hear the quiet of the woods due to a Boy Scout troop screaming through walkie talkies. Just walked faster until I heard peace & quiet again.

      

Wildcat Canyon The waterfalls weren't running, but still the canyon was impressive.

 

      Eagle Cliff

      Just thought this fallen tree was interesting.  Do you see a deer or  dog?

 

Since the plan is to retire & RV full time, I took a ride to the campground to check it out.  Mostly tent campers, but some RV's.  About 1-2 miles from Starved Rock and the rivers.  Some sites with electric.  I like Illini SP campground much better.  Sites with electric right on the river.  Both campgrounds have mostly gravel sites, but a few concrete.

 

Weber House & Garden

Another day - another day trip, this time to Streator, Illinois to visit the Weber House & Garden.  Although late summer is probably the wrong time to visit, Spring would be better, there were still flowers blooming.  Brought back some memories of gardens I visited while in England. 

I believe he said the house itself was originally built by his father and he has been building the garden since the 1980's.   The home has painted hardwood floors, period furniture, and most interesting - lighting is still candle light! (although some electricity exists).  Visit the website to see photos of inside the home (it felt a little invasive of me to take my own), but here's some pics of the gardens.

     The playhouse

 

 

 

 



Buffalo Rock SP & Middle East Conflict Memorial Wall

Along the I-80 corridor in Illinois, runs the I & M Canal.  This canal was a manmade link between the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan by way of the Illinois River, Chicago portage and the Chicago River.   Boats were pulled thru the canal by mules on shore. 

The I & M corridor contains many state parks including Buffalo Rock state park in Ottawa, Illinois. This SP was once a mine.  When the park was designated in 1983, Michael Heizer was commissioned to create a natural feature call the Effigy Tumuli.  The feature contains figures of a snake, turtle, catfish, frog & water strider.  I could not see the figures as much as I tried.  Maybe they are really only visible from the air.

Below image of the effigy taken from the parks website





Views of the Illinois River from and the River Bluff trail.

 

 

Not far from Buffalo Rock SP is the city of Marseilles, IL.  Located along the Illinois River is a memorial to Illinois service men and women killed during conflicts in the Middle East.  There is also a small museum which contains personal items from some of these soldiers.  An emotional site to see.  While there, I met an Illinois State Trooper who was traveling from Peoria back to his district in Chicago.  He was getting a etching copy of his brothers name from the wall.  It was his first visit to the wall, and didn't have time to visit the small museum, but I'm sure he'll be back in the future.  He mentioned bringing a few bottles of beer for his brother, since other visitors left some by the wall also.

The museum in small for now.  They are still recovering from being flooded out in the rains this past spring, but are slowly getting the displays dried out and back in place.

 

By the rivers gently flowing Illinois, Illinois

Being from Illinois my entire life, day trips are easy to do.  Over the years, these are some of the sights.

 

 

 

      Matthiesson State Park

 

 

 

 

      Rock Run Forest Preserve, Will County, IL

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

          Palos Forest Preserves, Cook County, IL
 

     Galena - President Grant's Home