Into the Outdoors: Visiting Starved Rock was a great way to begin my resolutions

We turned and wound our way through the entrance to the park. My curiosity started to peak as I noticed how many others were here. It’s cold, gray, blustery and New Year’s Eve. Don’t these people have better things to be doing? As we pulled into the parking lot, I took notice as to why there were folks all about.

The lodge was decorated in its holiday finest. It’s massive stature perched high above the river looking out over the valley below. It is quite an awesome sight.

We walked through the heavy, wooden front doors and what lay before me was like a scene from Disney World. Well, not quite, but pretty darn close! The giant fireplace loomed over us as it climbed upward towards the ceiling. All around there were beautiful Christmas decorations and an equally impressive tree all covered in holiday regalia. The staff was busy laying white linen cloths across dozens of tables as preparations were being finalized for the evening’s upcoming New Year’s bash. I was definitely looking forward to lunch.

The restaurant was as impressive as a grand ballroom. Giant timbers crisscrossed above us creating a warm setting in which to dine. The food was quite good and the satisfied faces and full bellies of numerous customers around us confirmed that fact. The atmosphere was also pleasant to talk in. No blaring speakers and raucous guests to try and talk over. We could all sit back and carry on conversation without straining to hear those around us.

After lunch, we descended into the valley below for some hiking. My lobbying for a little nap on the couches in the lobby was apparently not what the others had in mind. Except maybe for Papa. So, we braved the chilly winter winds and headed into the wooded landscape around us.

As we hiked up the stairs to the top of the famed Starved Rock, I tried to imagine what it would have been like those many years ago as the warring tribes converged upon this place.

Besides the improvements to make access easier for visitors, I picture the rock to look very similar as it did then. Signs along the hike inform me of the thousands of artifacts that have been found on this site and the surrounding valleys. Ancient Americans lived here for many generations, even before the storied confrontation at the rock I now stood upon.

We gazed out over the river and onto Plum Island. Here, a solitary bald eagle stood, perched, looking and waiting for a meal to wash up in the churning river below. The eagles here at the rock have become famous and draw huge crowds each winter. Many now take these symbols of our nation for granted. It wasn’t that long ago, however, that there were no eagles here. That bird, as well as the giant nest behind it, represents a modern conservation success story that we should be proud of.

After a while, we continued our hike. We spend the entire afternoon coursing our way up and down hills, into bluffs looking at waterfalls, and around giant rock formations. The landscape here in this park is amazing. Cameras were everywhere. Finally, as dusk approached, we managed enough weary footsteps to make it back to the car. As we drove back home through the same surrounding beauty that greeted us only a few hours before, most of the car slept. I smiled, wound my way back through the woods, and checked one thing off of my list.