Well, here it is May 18 and it’s damp and rainy. You may find your motivation level to be non-existent. So, here’s an idea. Plan something fun to do. This gloomy weather is going to end and the sun will be shining very soon. Thanks to the rainfall, the waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park will be flowing. The forests are lush and beautiful. Last night, brightly-colored flowers were planted in front of the Lodge. Impatients are not just an annual flower—they’re a mood that we are all feeling as we emerge from a pandemic that changed the way we approached life and travel over the past 18 months. Some states and places (such as our Lodge) still require face masks be worn and social distancing is in place. That shouldn’t stop you from booking a well-deserved getaway. The Governor is supposed to open up the state on June 11 but the time between now and then is precious. Last night, the birds were chirping and there was a warmth to the breeze that hadn’t been there for months. Once the flowers are planted each May we know that brighter days are on the horizon.
When you spend the night at the Lodge, you are just steps away from the trailheads. Our Café opens at 6:30am so you can grab a cup of freshly-made coffee and take off for St. Louis Canyon. It’s only a 40-minute walk each way and you’ll get to see Aurora, Sac and Kickapoo Canyons along the way. You can take a breath of fresh and remember what a joy it is to walk through wide open spaces.
Taking an hour to walk to the top of Starved Rock and in and out of French Canyon is a guaranteed way to remind you that you can be one with nature if only for a little while. If you have work to do, that’s not an issue. We have WiFi in the woods. You can set up your laptop in the Great Hall. Our indoor pool is warm year ‘round. There are restful places inside and outside of the Lodge to relax and rejuvenate. Seeing the color green does something for your mind, body and soul. And, it sure beats looking at a computer screen for hours at a time.
Then, there’s lunch. One of our Google My Business fans recently posted, “Where else in Illinois can you have lunch on a cliff?” This experience is waiting for you on our Veranda. The Back Door Lounge has a menu of seasonal and specialty cocktails. Or perhaps you prefer craft beer that can be paired with a Gorgonzola Nachos or any of the many other items available.
An afternoon walk to Wildcat (great vertical photos) or LaSalle Canyon (the best horizontal photos) is the best way to add some masterpiece photos to your collection and make you a Rock Star on Instagram (#starvedrock). Selfies never looked so good! To really get the feel of the incredible topography here you need to climb the steps and enjoy the view from Eagle Cliff, then hike into the interior of Wildcat Canyon. Load the AllTrails app on your phone before you hit the trails and you’ll be better able to find your way around this National Historic Landmark. Don’t wait for the perfect day to appear unexpectedly. Book a room and treat yourself to a spring adventure at Starved Rock. Click here to book a room.
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