Eagle Watching at Starved Rock State Park

Apparently Eagle Watching this weekend is a pretty big event here in the area - there were lots of folks out there, and they brought the big ole cameras. You know the kind, the size of a commercial tv cameras that look like they weigh more than a small child. Bird watching is a popular hobby - we even saw personalized license plates. Maybe I'll give that a try. My crochet attempts were pitiful. Any recommendations for a hobby, please send them my way! Back to bird or eagle watching, it was an event - the visitor's center was packed, and there were talks and food and face painting. The actual looking at them, however, was a bit anticlimactic. Maybe you do need those giant cameras to truly appreciate it. Or a bit of knowlege about the subject. Neither of which I have. Either way, it was a fun day to get out and explore the area.

There is a groovy little pub in Utica called Duffys - good Bloody Marys, lots of tap beer, and yummy fried veggies. In Irish fashion, they've got a year-round countdown to St Paddys day on the wall. 50 days left, my friends!

Along the Illinois River at Allen Park... where I spent a frustrating hour trying to heel Charlie, before calling it quits!