Weekend Windup {Chicago Suburbs Family Fun January 22-23, 2022}

 
Chicago Suburbs Family Fun January 22-23, 2022

Happy almost weekend! Here are my picks for family fun this wintery weekend in the Chicago suburbs:

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Winter Bald Eagle Watching in the Quad Cities

Winter Adventures to the Quad Cities Treat to Bald Eagle Viewing

Bald eagles winter along the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities making the destination perfect for a winter nature adventure. This past weekend, we visited the Quad Cities for the first time in the winter and were immediately enthralled by the bald eagles majestically flying through the air in a variety of locations along the mighty Mississippi.

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Dazzled by a Bald Eagle at McHenry Dam

On The Lookout for Bald Eagles at McHenry Dam

McHenry Dam State Park entices visitors with the promise of seeing a range of birds as well as a spot for fishing, biking and hiking. Sitting immediately adjacent to Moraine Hills State Park, the duo of preserves invites explorers to an incredible plethora of nature experiences. Benefitting from an unseasonably warm day, we headed to McHenry Dam State Park to try our luck at spotting a bald eagle.

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Weekend Windup: {Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs January 15-17, 2022}

Family Fun in the Chicago Suburbs January 15-17, 2022

The weekend is nearly here! I am back to putting together my list of weekend fun ideas for families. Here are my picks for this weekend:

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Hiking and Cross-Country Skiing Delight at Silver Creek Conservation Area in Cary, Illinois

Winter Hiking and Cross-Country Skiing at Silver Creek Conservation Area Invite Explores to Enjoy a Snowy Scene

Snowy trails enticed us to explore at Silver Creek Conservation Area in Cary, Illinois. Approximately five miles of trails traversing the preserve treat outdoor lovers to a range of experiences throughout the year. This weekend we had to explore outside a bit to enjoy our blanket of snow, so we opted to adventure to Silver Creek Conservation Area.

Silver Creek Conservation Area is 840 acres with over 5 miles of hiking trails.

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10 Interesting Facts About Valley Forge

 

10 Interesting Facts About Valley Forge

Valley Forge marks a particularly difficult time for George Washington's hodgepodge force of colonial militias while also representing a time when that force became more cohesive. Troops were exhausted and not well supplied. Washington chose Valley Forge for the encampment because it was on a naturally defensible plateau and was close enough to Philadelphia that the colonial military could keep an eye on the British. The encampment would last for 6 months. Training at Valley Forge would mold the force into a more unified fighting unit.

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Learning Cape Girardeau History Following the Mississippi River Tales Mural

 

Mississippi River Tales Mural Unfolds Cape Girardeau, Missouri History with 24 Brilliant Panels

A long weekend adventure in the Cape Girardeau, Missouri area offered us an opportunity to explore the Mississippi River Tales Mural and learn more about regional history. The brilliant 24-panel mural lays out significant elements from Cape Girardeau history right along the city's flood wall.

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Conservatories and Butterfly Enclosures of Chicago and Milwaukee

 

Conservatories and butterfly enclosures in both Chicago and Milwaukee treat to summer experiences during the depths of winter. When I need a little green uplift, I like to wander the paths of one of our local conservatories or butterfly enclosures. I am sharing a list of my favorite indoor greenspaces in the area to help you enjoy a little winter adventure with vibrant flora:

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