This year I was vigilant or lucky enough to reserve places on a convenient dte for saw-whet owl banding at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center, part of Project Owlnet. The weekend spots sometimes go quickly. Who doesn’t want to spend their Saturday night watching saw-whet owls get measured, weighed, and banded before taking flight while wondering, “What was that all about?”
First, though, there was Casper, the ambassador barn owl from Humane Indiana Wildlife. She reminded me how much I miss handling birds of prey, especially barn owl Alba.
After that, there was a wait — it felt like at least 45 minutes. I thought I felt the buzz of an owl being delivered. Until then, I’d been worried this might be a wasted trip. Nope. I lost track, but I’d guess we saw at least five saw-whet owls. This particular set seemed more expressive than some in the past. I think all of them clicked their displeasure or indignation to the handlers.
The last owl, however, didn’t fly off immediately when offered freedom from atop a participant’s arm. It perched for several minutes, so long I began to wonder if it would ever leave. At last, it flew toward the woods, accompanied by the usual “ooohs” from the awestruck participants.
In the middle of the program, J told me there was an owl in a tree. So there was, visible in the harsh lights of the parking lot. I don’t know if it was one of the newly banded owls or one that had escaped being caught in the clutches of the mist nets. It attracted its own fan club, several of them with long lenses.
What started out as a slow night for owl banding turned into a successful one. If only I were six inches taller so I could see better (and get better photos and videos).
I didn’t take many photos or any video during the only trip to Morton Arboretum for fall colors. It’s hard to capture that glow with an iPhone from a moving car, but here we go.
I meant to take a midday photo to avoid the shadows of the Flamingo and other buildings, but got distracted and forgot. I happened to look out not long before sunset.
Promontory Point in Hyde Park from the Flamingo. Sadly, it looks like it’s slated to be torn up soon.
I’d first discovered ChocolaTea in Portage, Michigan, when I’d spotted their giant teacup being hauled down a road running parallel to the my Amtrak Wolverine train. I’d been so curious about it I’d emailed ChocolaTea, and they’d sent me photos, including this one.
J had taken me there in 2013, and he wanted to return. I’d seen on social media the tornado that had ripped through Portage earlier this year had missed ChocolaTea (but not by much).
Off we went on another beautiful day. On reaching Michigan, we had to stop at the Michigan welcome center. It’s worth it for the faux lighthouse and historical markers (not to mention snacks and the necessary). There’s also a wealth of Michigan tourist publications. I had to restrain myself to just a few.
After arriving in Portage, we spotted a Tim Horton’s. Woohoo! The main part was closed due to a staffing shortage. but the drive-through was open. I wanted to stop there on the way out.
ChocolaTea at last! It’s in a small shopping center, so at first there wasn’t a parking spot available. I went in while J looked for one, found a seat, and looked at the menu — I’d forgotten ChocolaTea serves some food. By now I was hungry.
I did look around some after a light lunch and picked up more of the brownies I’d liked so much before — they still had the same kind after all these years. Thanks to my all-around poor condition, I couldn’t look around nearly as much as I wanted to — just as well, perhaps, for my girth.
We ate inside, but got drinks and headed outside — it was that pleasant a late October day. ChocolaTea is at the end of the shopping center and has a deck overlooking Portage Creek. If it weren’t for the traffic noise, it would be a very pleasant spot. I didn’t want to leave.
Leave we must to make it back at a reasonable hour — but first we made a few stops. Portage has several parks and nature preserves, so we briefly checked out a couple. Well, I checked out the lake at one, and J also explored the trail at another. I thought about looking for the path of the tornado, but decided against it.
After the promised visit to Tim Horton’s, we set off with the idea of stopping at Warren Dunes State Park, which would close at sunset. The sun was already low, so time to make tracks! We got there just in time to enjoy a few beach moments.
Then as always all good things must come to an end . . .
The nation’s first Highway Travel Information Center opened on May 4, 1935, on US-12 at New Buffalo, not far from here. Other states followed Michigan’s lead, and by 1985 there were 25l travel information centers across the nation. The New Buffalo center was built by the Michigan State Highway Department, now the Michigan Department of Transportation, to welcome motorists entering the state via US-12. It was relocated at this site, with its more modern building, on April 6, 1972. after the I-94 Freeway was completed. Michigan’s state-wide travel information program, which began in 1935, includes staffed welcome centers and interpretive, promotional and informational displays at rest areas and roadside parks across the state.
BUREAU OF HISTORY, MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF STATE REGISTERED LOCAL SITE No. 1256 PROPERTY OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN 1986
EISENHOWER INTERSTATE SYSTEM
During the presidency (1958-1961) of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, the National System of Interstate and Defense highways was finalized and signed into law. Gaining support for the Interstate Highway System required foresight and courage by President Eisenhower as he committed the Nation to an intensive program of road building.
THE IRON BRIGADE
The Iron Brigade became one of the most celebrated military units of the American Civil War (1861-1865). Wearing distinctive black hats, they were easily recognized by friend and foe alike. The five volunteer regiments in the brigade were the 2nd, 6th and 7th Wisconsin, the 19th Indiana and the 24th Michigan. These regiments ranked among the most gallant and effective of the Union Army. U.S. 12, which intersects nearby, is named the Iron Brigade Memorial Highway in their honor.
HONOR THE DEAD BY HELPING THE LIVING DEDICATED TO THE MICHIGAN MEN AND WOMEN WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR COUNTRY. 1776 1976
VETERANS, OF FOREIGN WARS AND LADIES AUXILIARIES DEPARTMENT OF MICHIGAN MAY 4 1976
In Michigan, we’ll leave a lighthouse on for you. Over 100 historic lighthouses grace our shorelines — more than any state in the nation. Just as these magnificent beacons helped ships navigate through our lakes, look for this lighthouse to guide you and your family on your travels throughout our Great Lake State.
I’m not sure what number attempt this was to go on the mule-pulled I&M canal boat trip with a mule pulling the canal boat, but we arrived in LaSalle, Illinois, in time for breakfast and a look around the Lock 16 gift shop. I’d reserved one of the earlier times because high winds were predicted for the early afternoon, and one thing I know from previous experience — the boat can’t go out when it’s windy. (We’d see why later.)
We arrived early enough to spend quality time with our guides and Moe, the elderly mule. I learned Moe had been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease (possibly around the time the previous ride had been canceled); he’d been feeling better since he’d been put on medication, but its effects would diminish over time; and this was his final month as the canal boat mule — he was going to be retired. His replacement, a young mule named Larry, was in training. The Volunteer is not a heavy boat, and it sounded like a young mule would try to move a little too fast. Meanwhile, Moe ignored us, nipping at the grass as he meandered all over the place.
I noticed additional metal figures. One of them was of a man from western New York. I know that place! Another was of Wild Bill Hickock. A fight on the canal had led him to turn outlaw. (Later I would realize he came from a nearby town, which would have been worth a visit.)
Finally the other passengers arrived, and we were given an interesting talk on the canal’s history. And away we went at an elderly mule’s pace — which is likely as fast as you’d want to go on The Volunteer. The weather was perfect, and I was very glad to be able to do this.
Afterward, we spent a little quality time with Moe. Very little, because he preferred to wander, but he did accept snacks from me and let me give him some scritches.
Later we went back in time to see the boat leave on its next trip. The wind had picked up as predicted, and the crew was struggling to keep it from swinging. They possibly took Moe off it at some point because it ended up against the opposite bank.
We stopped at Starved Rock Lodge for a snack (and fudge for me), then at Jeremiah Joe in Ottawa. At last I could go back to Chicago with a mule-pulled canal boat trip under my belt.
Wild Bill Hickok 1837-1876 Canal drivers were responsible for leading the mules or horses that pulled the boats along the canal towpath. They walked 10 to 15 miles per day and helped care for the animals. Drivers had to coax the notoriously stubborn mules and occasionally had to rescue horses or mules that fell into the canal. Drivers also coordinated the sometimes tricky maneuvering necessary when boats passed each other on the narrow towpath.
John Means Canals developed a distinctive culture, including boat captains, mule drivers, and locktenders. Little is known about most of the working class men who labored to keep the boats moving up and down the canal. Locktenders were paid $300 a year and were on call 24 hours a day from April until December. Their slumber was often interrupted by the bleating of the boatman’s horn, announcing a boat approaching.
Waterways That Built Chicago You are walking in the footsteps of people who have traveled this passageway for centuries. Native Americans first used the waterways for trade. They showed their routes to French explorers, the first to dream of building a canal.
From 1836 to 1848, immigrant workers dug the 96-mile I&M Canal by hand. It opened a water highway between New York harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. It made Chicago our country’s greatest inland port.
The canal closed in 1933, when larger man-made waterways, railroads, and highways took its place. Today the Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor, a new kind of national park, welcomes travelers to the parks, trails, canal towns, and landmarks along this historic passageway.
John W. Connett 1812-1885 Boat Captain John Connett was one of the most popular packet boat captains on the I&M Canal. Born in western New York, he piloted a boat on the Erie Canal before moving to Chicago in 1848. One testimonial to Connett characterized him as “one of the most experienced and successful navigators on the canal.” An attentive and accommodating boat captain could make an uncomfortable passage more tolerable for harried passengers.
Rene-Robert Cavalier de La Salle 1643-1687
La Salle dreamed of creating a French fur trading empire in the Midwest. He came to North America in 1667 and traveled to Illinois in 1680. During the winter of 1682-83, he established Fort St. Louis atop Starved Rock for protection from the Iroquois. This intrepid French explorer was one of the most dynamic characters to have passed through what is now Illinois.
North Meets South It is difficult to imagine the frenzied activity between locks 14 and 15. Steamboats from New Orleans carried molasses, sugar, coffee, and fresh oranges and lemons from the South. Canal boats carried lumber, stoves, wagons, and the latest clothing styles from the East. Local farmers brought corn and wheat to be shipped to Chicago and points east. Passengers hustled to make connections to canal boats headed to Chicago or steamboats bound for St. Louis and beyond. LaSalle took on a unique character, as a place where Northern and Southern culture met.
I woke up early enough at Camp Bullfrog Lake to take a short walk. This may have been the first time I’ve seen a sunrise there. It was a beautiful one.
We decided to start another campfire, which left almost nothing solid behind. While we were behind the cabin, J spotted a mantis that looked a lot bigger and more solid than those I remember. It proved to be a Chinese mantis. When it felt my movement in the grass, it turned its head toward me. I wondered what it perceived.
Next, it was off to the art fair, where we were too late to sign up for a wagon ride. I didn’t see either of my favorite candle vendors, either. But the flowers, decorations, and festivities got me in the mood for fall, as did the Halloween theme at Ashbary Coffee House.
I can’t remember how I found it online, but I spotted a “Sante Fe Prairie Nature Preserve” in Hodgkins, Illinois. Here’s how it’s described:
This 10.8 acre prairie is one of the rarest types of Illinois prairie, only two of its kind exist in the state. It was donated by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad in 1997 to the Civic Center Authority which now owns and manages this high quality prairie. More than 225 native plant species have been recorded at the site, many of which only survive in such prairie.
Hodgkins, a hub for United Parcel Service, is industrial (light industrial?), which made the drive surreal, especially with dusk coming on. We passed industry after industry, went over railroad tracks and under overpasses, and generally navigated a post-apocalyptic landscape.
At last we came to a road with the Des Plaines River on one side and a Sante Fe caboose on the other. The prairie is past the caboose. It was hard to see in the growing gloom set against the backdrop of light industry. It will be worth another visit in daylight, which may not feel so eerie.
Sign:
AN ILLINOIS NATURE PRESERVE
SANTA FE PRAIRIE
Santa Fe Prairie Nature Preserve has been formally dedicated as a sanctuary for native plants and animals. It is maintained in its natural condition so that present and future generations can see the Illinois landscape as it appeared in the past. This living example of our natural heritage is valuable for scientific studies and may provide habitat for rare plants and animals.
A high-quality feature of this preserve is the mesic gravel prairie, which is rated by The Nature Conservancy as globally rare and threatened throughout its range. Surrounding lands have been managed to support natural forest, prairie, and wetlands, all to the benefit of Santa Fe Prairie.
This preserve is owned by the Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor Civic Center Authority. Entrance is by permission only. Remain in the mowed areas. Domestic animals prohibited. Please protect and perpetuate the nature preserve by not disturbing or removing anything. All features are protected by law.
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
More:
Santa Fe Prairie Nature Preserve contains high quality mesic and dry-mesic gravel prairie recognized by the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory. Gravel prairie is extremely rare in Illinois and the Midwest. Mesic gravel prairie dominated by prairie dropseed, big bluestem, and Indian grass makes up most of the site. There is also dry-mesic gravel prairie that is dominated by big bluestem, Indian grass, prairie dropseed, and porcupine grass. Prairie cord grass, blue joint grass, and multiple sedge species dominate the wet prairie. Characteristic species of the marsh community include bluejoint grass, narrow-leaved cattail, great bulrush, common arrowhead, and winged loosestrife. Approximately 225 native plant species have been recorded from the site.
Somehow I’d found out you can sign up to get on a list for a tour of Thornton Quarry, described in Wikipedia as “one of the largest aggregate quarries in the world, located in Thornton, Illinois just south of Chicago. The quarry is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long, 0.5 miles (0.80 km) wide, and 450 feet (140 m) deep at its deepest point.”
I’ve long been fascinated by the quarry’s size and how I-294 passes over it. J signed up and was notified months later he’d made the cut — for October 5 at 9 a.m.
I had no idea what to expect, but they assured him there was a bus, and standing and walking weren’t required. It sound like something I could handle — which on this day wouldn’t be much because I forgot to take medications the night before and couldn’t sleep. D’uh.
The tour groups gather at a church, where you register, get coffee and a doughnut, and browse books, shirts, and souvenirs. I saved my shopping for after the tour so I wouldn’t have to carry stuff around.
On the way our guides told us the history of quarries in Thornton, including one that is now the site of a park/playground. After the quarry shut down, it filled with water and became a swimming hole — until a little boy got caught on something and drowned.
I should mention the school bus we were on was highly decorated, mostly with a Halloween theme. We never got to do that to our buses!
At the quarry we got off the bus to check out the overlook. From here you can see the section of the quarry we were going to explore, but not nearly the whole quarry (for one thing, it looks like rock walls remain to subdivide sections). Tiny semi trucks passed over the quarry on I-294. Later when we were closer, they still seemed small.
At the overlook there are several examples of fossils found in the quarry. In the distant past, it had been a coral reef. That’s a fun fact. We’d been told we’d be let out in part of the quarry to look for fossils — and we could keep any we found. That was incentive enough for the tour.
For some reason I’d imagined going into the quarry via stairs or an elevator — which makes no sense. How would you dig out a quarry without machinery? The bus driver drove down a road, albeit a very bumpy one at times. In a few spots I marveled it didn’t tip over.
There are a lot of specifics I can’t recall, like the different machines and their purposes. I know Id’ want to avoid the one called the “crusher,” which we saw in operation.
The quarry is part of the “Deep Tunnel” project, designed to divert flood waters. I’m not sure exactly where the water would go to — presumably away from machinery.
The bus continued down down down down, past more equipment and “ponds” and through a fossil-lined tunnel. A company employee offered information and answered questions along the way.
Finally we arrived at the fossil-collecting area, which thoughtfully had been provided with a portable toilet. What a relief. I’m not sure how long we were there — it felt like at least a half hour, but perhaps a little less. We found some very tiny fossils or what appeared to be fossils. J said one woman found a good-sized rock loaded with them. I’d brought a bag, so we put most of our small rocks in it. It weighed quite a bit by quitting time.
Wildlife does find its way into the quarry, including coyotes and foxes. If I remember correctly, our host said one skinny fox had to be rescued.
Back at the church, we watched a presentation on the history of the quarry and had our final chance to get souvenirs.
The verdict? Next year’s tours are booked, but we’re on the list for whatever becomes available.
CAMP THORNTON #2605 AND THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS
CAMP MOTTO: “STRING ALONG”
IN THE SPRING OF 1934, CAMP THORNTON OPENED ON THIS SITE AS A HOME TO YOUNG MEN OF THE CIVILIAN, CONSERVATION CORPS (CCC) AT FIRST THE MEN SLEPT IN TENTS IN GRASS AND WEEDS THREE FEET TALL. LATER THEY BUILT THEIR OWN MILITARY STYLE BARRACKS WITH MESS HALLS, WASHROOMS, TOILETS, SHOWERS, OFFICER QUARTERS, LOUNGE, AND PARADE GROUNDS.
THE CCC WAS FORMED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION TO HELP UNEMPLOYED MEN AND THEÍR FAMILIES. THE MEN ENLISTED FOR SIX MONTHS AT A TIME; 18 MONTHS WAS THE MAXIMUM LENGTH OF SERVICE. CCC WORKERS RECEIVED $31.00 PER MONTH, $25 OF WHICH WAS SENT HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES. ARMY AND NAVAL RESERVE OFFICERS GOVERNED THE CORPS. CIVILIAN MEN TAUGHT TRADES INCLUDING CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, BRICKLAYING, CARPENTRY, MACHINERY OPERATION, AND TREE PLANTING.
BEAUTIFUL FLAGSTONE PICNIC SHELTERS, ROADWAYS, AND BRIDGES BUILT BY THE CCC CAN STILL BE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE COOK COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES AND OTHER LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL PARKS AROUND THE COUNTRY.
CAMP THORNTON EXISTED UNTIL 1942. FROM JUNE 1945 THROUGH APRIL 1946, THE CAMP WAS USED AS A GERMAN P.O.W. CAMP. IT WAS ALSO HOME TO ILLIANA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL FROM SEPTEMBER 1946 THROUGH DECEMBER 1947. THE SOUTH SUBURBAN COUNCIL OF GIRL SCOUTS BEGAN USING THE FACILITIES AS A CAMP BEGINNING IN 1951. THE LAST PORTIONS OF THE CAMP WERE DEMOLISHED IN 1989. FOUNDATIONS CAN STILL BE SEEN SOUTH OF THIS MARKER.
SPONSORED BY
THE VILLAGE OF THORNTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE ILLINOIS STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Fueled by an excellent buffet breakfast in the Fireside Room, we built a campfire at one of the communal fire pits. While I was tending the fire, one of the employees driving by toward the cabins stopped and asked if I’d heard any noise from the neighboring cabin. I hadn’t; I’d slept as soundly as I can anymore. He told me the people next door had damaged the screen and inner doors as well as the rustic towel rack.
I followed him over to check out the doors. It had taken a fair amount of force not only to rip off struts from the screen door, but to tear off the strip from the edge of the main door. I didn’t see the towel rack. It’s just as well as I was as enraged as the maintenance man about what they’d done to “this 100-year-old historic building” (not quite 100, but close enough). I left him to repair what he could. I hope they were able to get something out of those “guests.”
I had no plans for today other than a visit to Castle Rock State Park and checking out some artwork I found via either Atlas Obscura or Roadside America. First we visited an overlook (wetland area?) I think is part of Castle Rock State Park, followed by the primary area of the park (although this time I was unable to walk up the stairs to the overlook, alas). We also checked out some higher ground across the road from the river that is also part of the park. While driving around, at some point we spotted a turkey vulture flying up into a tree. I hope we weren’t being followed.
Afterward we drove toward Oregon, where we found a low dam, also on the Rock River. Then it was on to the Black Hawk statue, which is (1) in Lowden State Park, also on the list to visit, so two birds, one stone, and (2) a creation of Lorado Taft, the sculptor behind Hyde Park’s “Fountain of Time,” into which he snuck his own likeness. This statue wasn’t intended to be Black Hawk, but the name has stuck.
The final planned stop was to see a smaller statue of a man with a fish on his head. It’s at Kiwanis Park, which we’d passed on the way to Lowden State Park, both on the Rock River.
On the way back to Chicago, we passed wind turbines — many wind turbines. I wonder if they’re the source of my electricity?
Mississippi Palisades State Park has several overlooks. At most of them, you can walk down and/or up, if I recall correctly. You can; I was exhausted and pained and just able to get from the parking lot to the overlooks. It was great to see the Mississippi River, although not mighty at this spot. The timing was bad, too. The sun was in my eyes, making it hard to appreciate the moment or to take photos.
Next we headed to Iowa’s only island where we didn’t have to shop around for gas — there’s just one gas station. It looked like many yards on the island sport an impressive boat.
Time for the long drive to White Pines Forest State Park, where it was too late for dinner, so I roasted myself in front of the gas fire. I was too achy even to step out to see the stars — a major regret.
