Starved Rock.

Last week we went to Starved Rock State Park. We'd heard about it for years and decided to hike the trails, spend the night in the lodge, hike a little more, and then head home. The trails are a bit more rugged than those by us, but the views were beautiful.

I thought the twisted roots of these trees were interesting.

The canyons are made of sandstone that crumbles easily. It was sad to see that people had carved their initials and other things into the sides of the canyons.

This photo was taken at the bottom of a canyon near a waterfall. You can see how the area is sandy, almost like a beach. Big chunks of sandstone were lying everywhere, presumably having fallen from the side of the canyon.

Mark and N enjoyed climbing around. N was really hoping to find a cave to explore.

This waterfall is on the trail to the St. Louise Canyon. If you visit the park website, you will see better photos of the waterfall.

The next morning we were on the trails again at 6:30. There is no rest for the weary when you vacation with Mark!

We saw several of these bright orange mushrooms.

N spotted this patch of tiny orange mushrooms.

A view of the Illinois River.

Someone was tired of having his photo taken!

Before going there, I had no idea why the park was called Starved Rock.

Starved Rock State Park derives its name from a Native American legend of injustice and retribution. In the 1760s, Pontiac, chief of the Ottawa tribe upriver from here, was slain by an Illiniwek while attending a tribal council in southern Illinois. According to the legend, during one of the battles that subsequently occurred to avenge his killing, a band of Illiniwek, under attack by a band of Potawatomi (allies of the Ottawa), sought refuge atop a 125-foot sandstone butte. The Ottawa and Potawatomi surrounded the bluff and held their ground until the hapless Illiniwek died of starvation- giving rise to the name "Starved Rock."

Here is a view from the top of the actual Starved Rock.

After we returned home, we decided to go to the Indiana Dunes. I'll show you photos from that trip next time.