First, the skies were spectacular on the way there going west on i-80.
I love Caroling Campfire, with Christmas songs, trivia, charades, and a candy cane hunt (for the children). I enjoyed it more than it looks. No snow, however.
Oh, and s’mores. S’MORES. Mmmm.
You’ll have to take my word for it — that’s what it says (photo taken from moving taxi).
Starting in 2011 with Ryerson Woods Dam, many of the low dams along the upper Des Plaines River have been removed — they hinder a healthy ecosystem, endanger kayakers, and don’t serve a purpose. There’s more on these dam removals here.
A bigger project has been happening on the Klamath in the Pacific Northwest, where much larger dams have been removed. It appears that chinook salmon are returning. Enjoy the peaceful tinkling sounds of the flowing river.
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.
October 20, 2024
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 . . .
Markers (partial text):
NEW BUFFALO WELCOME CENTER
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 1976VETERANS, 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.
Signs:
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
1643-1687La 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.
