On the North Shore Path and the Des Plaines River Trail

 Mundelein to Route 60 and back.

The first frost of the season had me scraping the icy covering from my car windows, but reminded me of just how delightful this cold weather can be, as I passed the frosted foliage at the start of my walk east on the North Shore Path.

This bike path parallels the busy Route 176 as it heads east to Libertyville, Illinois but there is a nice screen of trees that protects the walker from the sights and the sounds of the hidden traffic and allowed me instead to enjoy the morning mist still covering the frosty fields.

 On the Millennium Trail, And on the Streets 

Lakewood FP to North Shore Path in Mundelein and back.

Veteran’s Day

Starting east on the Millennium Trail from Lakewood FP takes you through a mixed oak-maple hardwood forest on a hilly moraine trail . Although somewhat overcast, the temperatures remained in the 60,s during the walk – another great fall day . The trail winds its way past two small lakes – Lake Davis  and Lake Owens  – before emerging from the woods into a broad prairie savanna .

Singing Hills FP to Lakewood FP and back.

The gates to the Singing Hills FP are supposed to open at 6:30am, but were still closed when I arrived at 7:45am to begin my southerly walk on the Millennium Trail in Lake county .

There was nothing for to but to drive to the end of today’s section at Lakewood FP – Fairfield Road is under major reconstruction – and start from there and walk north to Singing Hills FP.

The trail starts out through the Fairfield Road Underpass and heads north across open restored prairie . It was another great fall day to walk with the welcome companion of my shadow to keep me company in the bright sunshine .

On the Roads, And in Moraine Hills SP

Fox River to Singing Hills SP and back.

Today I walked with Wagos, an AT tru-hiker who completed the AT in 2007. His trail-name means ”With A Grain Of Salt” – get it?

We met at Miller Riverside Park and started our walk by crossing the Fox River, glistening in the cold morning sunshine . The trail continues through Moraine Hills SP, and we took advantage of a roadside trail to continue our journey , passing through numerous wetlands .