As soon as I was old enough to drive, nearby road trips lead me to hiking in canyons along the Illinois River. 40+ years later I return. I will always return. It is my special place.
During my early 20s I introduced several special friends to this magical world of wood, water and rock, during different seasons and personality.
I figured this would be the least changed place I could visit from my pasts. And sure enough, except for a now paved parking lot instead of dirt I wasn’t disappointed. Except there was no flowing water after the dry summer. I had seen it dry before, flowing sometimes weak or strong, even frozen.
A small shallow cave lies off the left side of the trail as a teaser to what’s ahead.
Generations of fallen leaves cushion the trail with a green sun-dappled canopy overhead.
A tiny pool of still water sits in a creek channel almost dry.
There it is, my special place. Council Cave.
I’ve spent time here in council with myself. Letting the sun’s energy bath me through the trees.
Thank you kind stranger for taking my photo.
Ancient sandstone laid down in a shallow inland sea about 425 million years ago then later carved by a catastrophic flood caused by the breach of a glacial lake has changed very little in my lives.
I continued on to the split for Ottawa and Kaskaskia canyons, the later being my choice.
Bamboo grows in the moist drainage even without the flow of water.
Sunlight speckles the trees and bluffs. Occasional bird song drifts through the canyon.
I reach the spillway where no water pours to find only a small pool with fish trapped within. The evidence of water flow is revealed by the large trunks and undercut rock. I once stood beneath a waterfall here.
The skeletons of memory lies around me. Upon my return through the forest I feel at peace.
If you would like to read about a past life at this magical place leave a comment and I will email the necessary link.
Read more about Starved Rock including the story behind its name.
I’m about to click on your link. I love the name ‘Starved Rock’. In Pennsylvania there’s a city called Slippery Rock, and that name always intrigued me. Here they say ‘to stand on the crazy rock’ when someone is about to get married….must look that one up.
Hope you enjoyed the story of Starved Rock. I like the idea of standing on “crazy rock” to get married. I have sent you the link to the other piece I wrote. Hope that gets to you.
Great post. Thanks.
What a great place. You obviously know it well.
What a fantastic place to have had to be with in your childhood. So beautiful. I can imagine how it must have been there for you in every season and need. I would have definitely returned home for this reunion. Your pictures are wonderful. So glad there is one of you looking very happy. Definitely send link. Great post!
Sherry, this place will forever call my spirit. Sent the link.
This is indeed one of my favorite parks in Illinois. Winter hiked there one year…the whole area. An awesome bike trail by the canal is sweet also! Thanks for sharing such beautiful views…love to camp there this weekend!
There is something very special indeed about the whole area around Starved Rock State Park. I’d go camping there this weekend if I was closer.
Happy Anniversary! May you both enjoy many more years together.
Hope I see you on the road some where.
So beautiful!!! My place is Sabbaday Falls on the Kancamagus Highway. Here is a link:
http://www.northconwaynh.com/kancamagus-highway-nh.html
I would love to check out your link please! 8*)
thank you for sharing your special place with us, it is beautiful and serene
and surely so much more
Wow Gaelyn, Starved Rock and Council Cave; what special places and so beautifully presented. Yes, please send the link. Lynda
Very special places indeed.
What a beautiful place and I just love those stone formations, amazing that it is still untouched. There are so many places I remember that were just perfect and they have been made into tourist, money making areas and completely spoilt. Long may this remain as it is and thanks so much for sharing. Diane
Thank goodness our parks are protected lands.
I can see why this place captured your heart. It is beautiful. A sacred hidden secret kept away from others. We have several places like this in Wisconsin. Not many people know about these places but I gotta tell you….I do:) As kids, I explored them in depth. Today I wonder if they’ve changed as you did. Glad you got to go back and visit.
That golden forest in that one photo is amazing! What a lovely place. I’d love to get the link.
Great photos, that is a special place for me, too. I would love to read your other story. When I was last at Starved Rock in 2011, all of my photos had a greenish tint, but it was May and everything was very green and wet.
I’ve seen the place looking green and wet also, plus the frozen waterfalls in winter are otherworldly.
I loved this post – we try to go one a year…also to Matthesian next door. It is the best state park “close” to Chicago. We also love the parks of southern Illinois in the Shawnee National Forest.
I used to live on the edge of the Shawnee.
Looks like a gorgeous place, and I love your photos!
This looks like such a beautiful place. Forest, cliffs and stream. It has it all. Oh yes, and stunning photo opportunities
Looks like a very special place. And how wonderful to be able to return and be just as happy with the visit as you have been in the past. Many times things just don’t seem the same when you go back.
It was the only place that hadn’t changed. Making me feel even more at home.
I love reading about Starved Rock. Sadly, I still haven’t been there yet, but that’s only because I currently have no reliable transportation. Next summer, for sure.