The day started cold and dreary, the kind of day only a corgi can love. We lingered over our breakfast, ordered the night before and delivered to our room in place of the free breakfast normally provided. And then with our bellies full and properly caffeinated it was off to Starved Rock and the day’s adventure.
We were about the tenth car in the main parking lot – we didn’t exactly have the place to ourself, but it was close. The trail led us along the Illinois River up and down various prominences including Starved Rock itself. The route back led us into several canyons which, despite the name, are the stars of the park. Somewhere along the way back the sun came out in full force and not long after so did the crowds.
Then it was off to lunch – a single smash burger for my better half and double smash burger for me – in beautiful downtown Utica which manages to pack a lot into its single block. Following lunch we took a bit of a scenic drive (sounds better than driving aimlessly while digesting) before heading to the far end of the park.
First we visited three canyons (Ottawa, Kaskaskia, Illinois) and had our obligatory vacation chat with a couple we’ll never meet again. Then we set off down the road to another parking lot and more trails leading back down to the river and more canyons. Eventually the clouds rolled in and thickened, the day grew late, and the dogs were growing hoarse from barking, so we called it a day.
Dinner was in LaSalle at a restaurant the other couple recommended – they live relatively close, come here often, and claimed this is the prettiest place in Northern Illinois – not a lot of competition, but it is really beautiful.
Our vacations aren’t any better than yours, they just have better press.
