We went back to Allerton to hike some of the trails. This time, we brought proper footwear. We forgot mosquito repellent, though, and that brought about our downfall.
We started at the trailhead beyond the sunken garden, the spot we turned around last time.
On either side of the trailhead, they planted something that looked like lantana. The flowers bloomed in little clusters, what the sciencey folks call an inflorescence, and the leaves were small and fern-like. I think it might be a type of yarrow, but I don't know.
On the trail, we mostly saw Red Oaks, Swamp White Oaks, and Horse Chestnuts. Like all Illinois trees, they were tall and terrifying.
About half a mile in, we reached the Dying Centaur.
The trail was muddy and the mosquitos thick before we got to the Centaur. After we continued, the forest became boggy with small lakes standing among the trees. The trail was so muddy, even the deer had trouble keeping their footing.
We eventually came to a point where the water completely covered the trail as far as we could see and the mosquito clouds were so dense, we couldn't stop moving for pictures or piddles, so we flailed our way down a smaller trail to the road.
We followed the road for another half mile or so to see the Sun Singer.
This monumental statue of Phoebus Apollo had a miniature Pegasus on his helmet.
And around the pedestal, a base relief of the Muses.
We didn't take any pictures from the front because he was, shall we say, pretty much naked, and this is a family-oriented blog.
More very pretty flowers had been planted around the monument. I learned these from Dad on my last trip to Austin: Coneflowers.
And these are Butterfly Weed?
Then, on the mile and a half walk back to the car, it started raining. Aside from the mosquitos, the humidity, the mud, and the rain, we really enjoyed this hike. We'll definitely go back!
Blues, Brews, and BBQ 2013
We met Amy and Sebastian by the Blind Pig and walked over to the festival. Everyone was there. We saw yuppies, hippies, hipsters, trailer trash, chicago trash, bikers, kickers, students, and blues musicians.
They had a motorcycle show.
And this weekend coincided with the first annual Corvette Festival.
Our first goal after gaining admittance (it was free, but they hassled us for donations), was obtaining the eponymous Brews. Ignore the advertising on the sides of the collectible mugs. We started with Blue Moon. Then I moved to Crispin Hard Cider.
As soon as I got my beer, a band started playing a cover of Jimmy Reed's Big Boss Man and I knew that everything was right with the world. Except for the weather.
This being Illinois, they had the obligatory Sweet Corn Booth.
We all opted for Barbecue, to round out the trifecta. Sebastian got BBQ Nachos and Amy an Italian Sausage Slider, both from Chester's BBQ. Aine and I got the Tips and Taters from King Biscuit. That's right. King Biscuit.
Then we ate barbecue and drank beer while listening to The Blues (Chicago Blues, of course, remember where we are) on one of the four stages. Pretty much everything the festival promised.
The bass player in this band had the most epic tassels of all time. John Wayne ain't got nothing on his fringe game.
We had a great time.
But then it started raining. Again. Only one of us came prepared.
Parting Shot
I am Catladriel. Queen of the Groceries. Beautiful and terrible as the Noms. All shall love me and despair.
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