Tekakwitha – Fox River Hike, IL

This is Hike #21 of Chicago’s 60 Hikes. A network of foot trails winds through the fields and forested ravines of the preserve. In spring, the forest floor is carpeted with wildflowers and the trees are filled with birds. In summer, the wooded trails provide cool shade and enjoyable wildlife viewing. The autumn foliage is spectacular in the woods and on the prairie. Winter brings a stark beauty of its own and snowfall provides excellent wildlife tracking.

Neil joins us for several hikes now that he has graduated college – School of Visual Arts. Check out my brother Neil’s art portfolio: https://neilmadlener.com This hike is a bit over 2 miles along the Fox River. The path we are on is the Fox River Trail.

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The bridge over the Fox River is pretty cool and a great photo opportunity. There are a lot of wildlife opportunities on this part of the hike.

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FlightTracker is the app dad uses to identify airplanes. Meanwhile, on the trail, we pass a memorial to the Unknown Soldiers from the Blackhawk Wars. Several of our hikes have touched on the Blackhawk War, most significantly is the Blackhawk Statue at Lowden State Park – https://youtu.be/N2Cspp3OXME

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Today’s sandwich is dad’s homemade bread with sunflower butter and sanddorn confit from Switzerland. “Sea buckthorn is supposed to have a range of healing properties – and it’s also delicious, especially in a jam. Life isn’t a piece of cake, but this jam from the Haltbarmacherei can make almost anything better. Guaranteed organic with no additives, colorings, or preservatives. Lovingly handmade with selected fruits and a lot of care, using grandmother’s recipe in the heart of Zurich.” Check out my brother Neil’s art portfolio: https://neilmadlener.com Then we find the hidden entrance to the central ‘spaghetti’ trails. I go running in to check it out. I return from a different path and drag dad and Neil back through the secret entrance.

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We hiked 2.6 miles in a little of an hour. This is a hike to be combined with others in the area. I liked the bridge the most.