Our Stay in St. Charles, IL

Illinois

Driving Around, Waiting to Check In

To pass the time before checking in, we drove around the St. Charles area. After we crossed the Fox River heading west, the landscape shifted dramatically from an urban setting to a rural expanse dotted with large grain silos.

Settling In and Stepping Out

Arriving just before 2:00 p.m., we found a lovely, quiet Airbnb in St. Charles. Once we had settled in, we headed out for a short walk to explore. The cute home had the entrance within easy walking distance of the scenic Fox River Trail and was less than a mile from the Fox River. Although the path started in town, we were quickly surrounded by tall trees. As we continued, we crossed two bridges over the rushing Fox River, running high due to recent rains, before returning to our cute temporary home.

The Fox River Trail, Where History and Nature Blend

The common thread during our stay in St. Charles was the Fox River Trail. This trail started its life quite differently. Before it became a multi-functional path for runners, hikers, and bikers, it was an important trolley railroad connecting many cities along the river. It’s hard to imagine that a century ago, this area was filled with manufacturing mills, and the train transported both people and manufactured products.

As road transportation grew and train usage declined, the trail’s purpose changed. Fortunately, local conservationists repurposed the railroad beds. Walking north toward Elgin, I found remnants of this past, including the historic “Woodcliff” station shed, parallel rails resting on the beds, and a rusted truss spanning the Fox River. Needless to say, I loved going here to do my activities, being surrounded by nature and history.

Solo Miles, Wildflowers, and a Walk with a Friend

On the days my husband was training for the “Nijmeegse Vierdaagse”, I hit the trail alone to get my mileage in. Walking north toward Elgin, I spotted the old tracks from the trolley that used to run through here. I also explored the Tekakwitha Preserve, carefully navigating its root-covered paths. I am glad I did, because beneath the trees, the wildflowers were blooming beautifully in abundance. On my final walk, I was joined by a friend from Naperville. Since she only wanted to hike for an hour, we turned back at the second bridge. She, too, thought the trail was a total gem and a truly wonderful place to walk.

Two Weeks, Three Runs, and One Brutal Hill

I kept up with my running routine during my two weeks here. I ran the Fox River Trail down to the river twice, and the easier option in the park behind the house once. On the trail, going downhill was easy, but the uphill part was steep, so I switched to walking. On my last run here, I tried to run the hill again, hoping to make it to the top without walking. I didn’t succeed, but I still completed a satisfying five miles.

Two Weeks Flew By

And, poof, just like that, the two weeks had flown by, having been filled with staying active, family visits, and catching up with friends. By 9 o’clock, we were hitting the road for the long drive to Jefferson City, Missouri. We wanted to enjoy one last getaway together before the busy renovation period for our son and daughter-in-law’s new home officially started!