What’s up everyone body?
I have to apologize for our brief hiatus. It has been kind of wild out here in the Chicagoland area. We have been dealing with crazy winter weather. Over the past weekend we have received over 10 inches of snow and it is still falling. This weather has limited our adventures to our couch and watching tv. Sad, I know, but sometimes you have to take one for the team. I’m sure there are plenty of you out there that are saying the weather shouldn’t be an excuse. It just adds to the experience. 98 percent of the time I would agree with you.
Several years back, a group of us decided to go on a night run. It had been snowing the previous day, but we didn’t care. We threw on some warm close and packed up our Jeeps and head to a local off-road play area, that was about an hour from where we lived. We played around for some time and once we had our fill of the excitement we headed home. I had my fill after getting stuck in some deep snow and had to get winched out. Not my best moment, not even by a long shot. So I’m no stranger to adventuring in the snow, but you have to realize when it’s worth it and when it’s not. When the temps have fallen well below freezing and visibility is limited, sometimes it’s best to stay home and enjoy yourself from the comfort of the couch.
Well at least one good thing came out of being snowed in. I was able to sit down and start trying to plan out our adventures for this year. After scouring over the internet I’ve come up with the top ten things I would like to see this year. I’ve divided them into two groups of five: Local (within an hour drive) and Non-local (more than an hour). I will have to say that most of these will have to wait until it gets a little warmer but that’s ok.
Local:
- Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore:
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| Courtesy of nps.gov |
This one is a little more than my hour time limit, but I’ll let it slide. Just across the border sits Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore near the town of Porter. This National Lakeshore is composed of 15 miles of shoreline on the southern tip of Lake Michigan. You can explore 50 miles of hiking trails that will take you through sandy dunes, forests and wetlands.
2) Chicagoland Speedway:
I’ve been a fan of racing since I was little. It started out watching local races at a little local track. As I grew up I became a fan of NASCAR. We didn’t have a major tack close enough to us to actually see them in action, until they built Las Vegas Motor Speedway that is. It still took us about 6 hours to get there though, but now Chicagoland is just down the street from me. About 15 miles away, that is, and it’s been several years since I actually seen a NASCAR race is person. It’s about time I go. Overton’s 400 at Chicagoland will be over the weekend of July 1st. Hope to see you there.
3) Six Flags Great America:
Ahh yes, the exhilaration of thrill rides. I will admit that I am one that loves rollercoaster and thrill rides in general. If it will get my heart pumping then I’m in. Six Flags has always been known for it rides and Great America has its share of them. Located in Gurnee, Illinois about 25 miles north of Chicago. Locals have told me that it worth the trip and its pretty fun. When it gets warmer we’ll have to find out.
4) The Field Museum:
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| Courtesy of adlerplanetarium.org |
With so many different museums in Chicago it is hard to narrow on down. I could probably make a top ten list just for the museums, but the top of my list would still be the Field Museum. Originally known by the Columbian Museum of Chicago, it has been around since 1893. The Field Museum has dedicated its existence in the pursuit of scientific world. Which sound right up my alley. I have always been fascinated with the natural world and learning about it. This definitely someplace I will have to make it to.
5) Adler Planetarium:
This one was a toss up between Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium. I’m a fan of both subjects, but in the end I’m a astronomer at heart. The universe has been one of my favorite things to study for as long as I can remember. I have several books on the subject. We had a small planetarium back in Salt Lake that I enjoyed going to as a child. It will be interesting to see what a big city planetarium would be like to explore.
Non-Local:
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| Courtesy of nps.gov |
- Mammoth Cave National Park:
Mammoth Cave has been on my radar for along time now, even before we moved to the Midwest. It’s a place that I have always wanted to see. We had a trip planned last year and two days before we planned on leaving our pup got sick and we had to cancel our trip to take tcare of him. I will get there one day.
Located not to far from Cave City, Kentucky. Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system in the world. It boast over 400 miles of explored caverns. I’m sure there is more to be discovered. There is more to the park then just the cave. The Green River runs through the area lending to many water related activities. Several hiking trail make their way through the rolling hills and forested areas within the park.
2) Effigy Mounds National Monument:
This is another place that is run by the National Park Service. I happened to stumble upon this monument not to long after we moved to the Chicagoland area. I was doing some research on what there was to do around here and found this little gem.
Located near Harper’s Ferry, Iowa and overlooks part our f the Mississippi River Valley. The mounds were built by ancient peoples. The 200 mounds in the monument are considered sacred to many Native American Tribes. The monument works with 20 tribes to maintain it cultural and spiritual nature. There have been many speculations about why the mounds were built most are based on local legends and some archeology. While there take a minute to ponder on their meaning and enjoy.
3) Garden of the Gods:
Not to be confused with the one out in Colorado. This one is located in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. 3,318 acres has been set aside, designated as wilderness area. As you traverse the 5.5 miles of interconnected trails, you will be awe struck by the stunning rock formations that were sculpted by the wind and rain over millennia of erosion.
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| Courtesy: longhollowcanopytours.com |
4) Wisconsin Dells:
As the name implies, the city of Wisconsin Dells is located in Wisconsin. The city is known as the the water park capital of the world. As the website states “home to more water parks per capita than anywhere on the planet and the biggest, fastest, and wettest water rides and slides in the world.” I have never been too keen on water parks but this place sound pretty fun. Everybody that I have talked to say you have to go. We’ll just have to see if it’s worth the hype. If water attractions are not your bag, don’t fret for the town has plenty of other attractions that will keep you entertained.
5) Long Hollow Canopy Tours:
I have to admit, this one is more for me than Erin. She’s not to fond of height and will have to take some convincing to get her to go. I think I can get her to go though. I mean who doesn’t want to go flying through the trees at 40 miles an hour. Located in Elizabeth, Illinois. The staff at Long Hollow will take you on a 2 and a half hour tour through the tree canopy. The tour consist of 6 zip lines of varying lengths and heights over the forest floor.
These are some of the place that we would like to see. I don’t know if we will be able to see them all but we’ll do are best.
As always thanks for stopping by. Until next time
Josh
