Hiking Veteran Acres Park, Wingate Prairie and Sterne's Woods in Crystal Lake, IL

 

The trio of Veteran Acres Park, Wingate Prairie, and Sterne's Woods offer a variety of trails to nature lovers. We began our recent hike from the parking lot near the Nature Center. We descended down to the pond and scouted for waterbirds. We spied a green heron and female wood ducks. Our adventure was off to a wonderful start!

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Ice Cream Adventure at Colonial Cafe

Illinois' Colonial Cafe has roots all the way back to the 1901 St. Charles Milk Company founded by Simon Anderson. The enterprise evolved throughout the years from a dairy to a restaurant. Various incarnations of snack shops and drive-ins emerged as the family restaurants in the Colonial family today. While the local family restaurants feature a large menu, I think Colonial Cafe may be best known for its ice cream -- particularly the Kitchen Sink!

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6 Walkable Downtowns in the Chicago Suburbs

Walking in downtown Geneva.

Something about fall's warm hues really beckons me to explore downtowns. There is nothing like a pleasant 50-60 degree day with the golden sun and a snuggly jacket to warm you as you weave in an out of interesting shops and perhaps pick up a tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Some downtown areas in the Chicago suburbs are more walkable than others. Here are six that we have found to be enjoyable to explore on a pleasant afternoon:

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Hiking Veteran Acres Woods and Wingate Prairie in Crystal Lake

A few weeks ago we spread our hiking wings a little further and trekked through Veteran Acres Woods and Wingate Prairie in Crystal Lake. We found the preserve to have a little bit of everything making it a great hiking location for families.

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Enlightened Balance Feeds the Spirit and Supports Local Artists in Crystal Lake

Sometimes a conversation can lead to finding a true treasure! Several months ago, a friend and I discussed a shared passion for local businesses and artisans. She clued me into one of her favorite small businesses that truly nourishes heart and soul, Enlightened Balance in Crystal Lake. Crystal Lake is quite a bit of a drive from me, so winter did slow down my ability to make a visit. Fortunately, last week afforded me the opportunity to drop in. Right away, I felt at home and marveled at how much there was to look at!

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