On the way to Starved Rock, we were passing through the small town of Wenona, IL, when Russ said “I think I know someone in this town! Pull over.” So I pulled off Main Street across from the library while he tried to remember the name of the man who had offered him a place to stay, gave him a tour of the town, and took him out for dinner and breakfast before sending him on his way in 2022. Alan remembered him instantly when Russ called, and came to meet us. After he and Russ did a little catching up, he made us promise to go out for dinner with him later in the week. Not only did he treat us to some of the best pizza I’ve ever tasted, we got the V.I.P. tour of Ottawa, site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate in 1858.

Not only that, but he took us (and his lady friend, Mimi) out again on Saturday to BASH—Burgers And Sushi House! We really enjoyed spending time with Alan, and he was the consummate booster for his home-town area. Thanks again, Alan, for teaching us so much of the history of the area, and for two gourmet dinners!

If you are anywhere in the area of Ottawa, IL, ABSOLUTELY go to Starved Rock State Park. It sits along the Illinois River, and boasts miles of hiking trails into some of the most scenic canyons this side of the Mississippi. We spent two days hiking the canyons, and still didn’t get to all of them. I’m just going to let the pictures tell the story on this one.

Here, Russ took a picture to show how I was “breaking the rules” by scrambling up a steep incline to pursue an interesting orange fungus (it turned out to be a wadded up scrap of fabric). But I have this flattering portrait of myself to memorialize the moment.

On the second day we headed out early to beat the incoming thunderstorms, and saw Illinois and St. Louis Canyons. We chanced upon a younger woman having a snack in St. Louis Canyon who turned out to be a local hiking guide, and we heard the whole grisly story of how someone murdered three young women and hid their bodies in one of the small caves along St. Louis Canyon. (In all other respects, it was a beautiful, serene site.)

We sat for a while at the end of Illinois Canyon, just listening to the little waterfall and soaking in the cool, quiet beauty.

It will be worth a return trip, to come back when the larger waterfalls are flowing, and to visit nearby parks, such as Matthiessen, which also have scenic canyons.