Exploring the Best of the Shawnee National Forest Illinois May 2024 Discovering Shawnee Nature’s Gems Our journey through Shawnee National Forest was an unexpected discovery of Southern Illinois’ hidden gems. While living in Illinois near Chicago, we never knew that this part of the state was so beautiful! Each stop offered a new perspective. Getting […]
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From Nieuwegein, NED, to Naperville, IL A Journey From and To Home Illinois March – April 2025 Back to Family and Friends March 16, 2025 6 mi 30 mi 2000 mi On March 16th, we locked the door early once more. We walked a short way to the Blauwe Brug and caught the first bus
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Returning to Naperville, IL, after Several Years Illinois June – July 2024 A Long-Awaited Return to Our Old Hometown June 25, 2024 xx mi 4 hrs On our way from South Bend, IN, to Naperville, IL, we avoided the highway and took a detour since we had some time to spare. Along the way, we
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Returning to McDowell Grove Forest Preserve Illinois June & July 2024 McDowell Grove, A Hidden Oasis in Naperville 7.27 mi 8.11 mi 4.01 mi During our stay in Naperville, I enjoyed a couple of walks through McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, which was just a mile from our hotel. I had been here a few times
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From The Riverwalk to the Bean, Rediscovering Chicago After 10 Years Illinois July 2024 After ten years, we were back in Chicago, IL. The weather was perfect for a long stroll downtown. It was incredible to see how much the area has changed. We walked on the Riverwalk, which has undergone beautiful improvements since our
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Springbrook Prairie, Where I Found My Way Back to Health Illinois June 2024 The Loop on The Prairie That Helped Me Heal Within four years of moving from the Netherlands to Naperville, IL, I had abandoned my bicycle for the convenience of a car and swapped healthy cooking habits for the ease of ready-made oven
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Continuing Driving along the Landmarks of Route 66 Illinois June 2024 Historic Landmarks along Illinois Route 66 June 27, 2024 0.46 mi 12:52 min 75 °F We drove back to McLean, Illinois, to continue our journey on Route 66. Today, we started at the historic Funks Grove in Shirley, where we visited the “pure maple
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The Man of Steel’s Small-Town Home Illinois May 2024 Finding Superman in Rural Illinois On our way through Illinois, the sign “Metropolis: Home of Superman!” got our attention. We just had to make a quick visit. Metropolis, IL, turned out to be a quiet Midwestern rural town, having nothing in common with the fictional, densely
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Exploring Illinois’ Lowest Point at Fort Defiance State Park Illinois May 2024 Geography, History, & Nature at Fort Defiance At the southernmost tip of Illinois lies the state’s lowest geographical point, sitting just 279 feet above sea level. Here, at Fort Defiance State Park, historically known as Camp Defiance, geography, history, and the natural environment
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From the Road to Home South Dakota A Two-Day Journey North May 1, 2022 ∼ 760 mi ∼ 12 hrs From Franklin, NC, we drove for two days to Watertown, SD. The first leg was a long, 760-mile drive to Galesburg, IL, where we stayed at the Best Western Prairie Inn. The weather was perfect
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