☞ Judy Istock Butterfly Haven at Nature Museum Chicago. Now learning Who is Who?
Butterflies in Chicago and it is winter
Chicago: Avalon Regal Theater
Starved Rock in early March
Quite a change of scenery since our ☞ last visit in the Fall of 2022. An unexpected early start to 2024 camping and hiking trips. Sunny and spring-like temperatures, surprisingly dry but very windy. Walked some 17 miles (plus more than 600 stairs) in two half-days, up and down familiar trails. Spoted a few bold eagles above the river, herons on trees and migratory pelicans stopping for a night on the river. Tested some improvements to our Forester camper.
Matthiessen and Starved Rock
We visited ☞ Matthiessen State Park and ☞ Starved Rock State Park in the past, but never in late Fall. This year it was a last minute decision based on weather – very sunny and warm for late October. Many people had the same weekend idea – both parks were packed with visitors. We stayed for two nights at Great Falls CG in ☞ Illini State Park only short drive away (very good campground where spots are always available). We walked 6-7 miles each day, bits and pieces of different trails. First in Vermillion and Dell areas of Matthiessen SP. The following day in Starved Rock SP: Illinois, Kaskasia and Ottava Canyons, River and Bluff trails between LaSalle, Lonetree and Wildcat Canyons. Fall colors were beautifull, weather was great and we expected crowds, so it was all good.
