Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville, Illinois: The Beginnings of Fall

Exploring nature at Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville, Illinois

We visited Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville for the first time last week in hopes of seeing a few fall colors. Fall colors have just started popping here, so we did see a few. While we did not see as many as I had hoped, we did notice that the area is perfect for birding. Here is a little cardinal that was being a bit shy:

Wednesday Weekend Windup {Pumpkins, Halloween and Crocodiles}

Pumpkins, Halloween and Crocodiles -- Oh My!

Fall is here! There are plenty of fall festive and Halloween events to enjoy this weekend. Oh-- and there are crocodiles too!

A Comfort Feast, Royal Pageantry and Horses at Medieval Times

A Comfort Feast, Royal Pageantry and Horses at Medieval Times in Schaumburg, Illinois

**Disclosure: I did receive a complimentary experience to bring this review to you. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Medieval Times in Schaumburg, Illinois entertained us this weekend with an evening full of pageantry, fun, excitement and a feast of comfort food. While this was our second visit to Chicago's Medieval Times Castle, I can say that the show, food and atmosphere melded an magical evening that was just as special as our first visit. Medieval Times creates a grand adventure not far from home that I think will come in handy for families in the winter months.

10 Places to Look for Fall Colors in the Chicago Suburbs

Fall Colors in the Chicago Suburbs:

Chicago suburban nature preserves are magnificent treasures year round treating us with a wide range of outdoor activities. Fall is particularly spectacular because we benefit from a cascade of changing colors. If you are looking for a fall color adventure, these 10 Chicago suburban preserves provide a selection of natural spaces to enjoy the season:

Camp 18 Restaurant in Elsie, Oregon: Logging, Bigfoot and a Cinnamon Roll

Enjoying a Bit of Logger History and Hearty Fare at Camp 18

Camp 18 on US 26 between Portland and the coast in Oregon is a must stop. The cabin structure gives you that backwoods feel like you are at an oasis for loggers. The menu is full of comfort food, just as you would expect after a long day of logging. However, the food is not the only reason to stop at Camp 18. Camp 18 warrants a longer stop to check out some of the old logging equipment and other items on the grounds as part of the Logging Museum. Of particular note are the woodcarved loggers, bears and even Bigfoot:

Wednesday Weekend Windup {Glass Pumpkin Patch, Scarecrows and Fall Fests}

Another fall weekend ahead with plenty of festivals in the Chicago suburbs! Here are my picks for the weekend ahead:

Richardson Corn Maze: Festive Fall Challenge

Tackling the World's Largest Corn Maze and Enjoying Fall Farm Fun at the Richardson Corn Maze in Spring Grove, Illinois

Richardson Corn Maze provides a festive fall challenge for families every year. As a mother of a teen, it can take quite a bit of brainstorming to find a fall activity my daughter is still interested in. However, Richardson Corn Maze makes for a challenging yet fun fall family outing in the Chicago suburban area that appeals to all ages. We look forward to a corn maze adventure every year and were excited to embark on this year's outing this past weekend.