55-pounds cling to me as I hike Starved Rock

Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Cheri gets me out of bed (remember I am sore from climbing on my hands and knees through that jungle gym) and tells me she's taking me out for a surprise- but I have to get my outdoor gear on.

We drive out from Homewood to Utica/ Ottawa, Il. for a little over an hour's distance. Then we enter Starved RockState Park. A 4-mile region of sandstone bluffs and 18 canyons formed by glacial meltwater and stream erosion.

A cross-section of a tree with a bullet embedded in it.

A view of the Illinois River on top of Starved Rock.

(The following info was taken from the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources) Starved Rock State Park derives its name from a Native American legend of injustice and retribution. In the 1760s, Pontiac, chief of the Ottawa tribe upriver from here, was slain by an Illiniwek while attending a tribal council in southern Illinois. According to the legend, during one of the battles that subsequently occurred to avenge his killing, a band of Illiniwek, under attack by a band of Potawatomi (allies of the Ottawa), sought refuge atop a 125-foot sandstone butte. The Ottawa and Potawatomi surrounded the bluff and held their ground until the hapless Illiniwek died of starvation- giving rise to the name “Starved Rock.”

Now on top of Starved Rock, I wondered why they did not escape, as this rock formation was not very steep and there was river on one side. Why not just jump and swim?

Anyway, we continued on and I could see I was in for some heavy labor (just like yesterday). My sister thought the place was wheelchair/stroller accessible, which she was totally mistaken when we encountered fallen trees across the path and several stairs...

sigh! OH BOY! I was in for it.

So we ditched the strollers and strapped Hope in the baby carrier and Kai sat on my hip sack.

In this picture, Cheri realizes that the trail is a lot longer than she remembered, and that we would have to deal with two cranky toddlers. Kai is already wanting to be carried just as soon as I put him down. In no time, Cohen wanted the same privelege too.

With 55 pounds clinging to me (Kai on one hip, Cohen on the other), I clambered up several steps, occasionally stopping for a breather, and somehow we made it to Wildcat Canyon. That couple miles was a test of my strength and endurance. I guess I was still in some sort of shape.

Kai threw his first full-blown tantrum resulting in his screams echoing through this canyon. I felt sorry for hikers who had hoped to find a peaceful getaway in this zen-type environment. Kai was so mad at his cousin Cohen for taking his snack cup out of my bag and eating from it. Cohen stood there while Kai wailed on his back with his little fists, only then later did Cohen calmly walk away. It wasn't until several minutes afterwards, with feet stomping and arms flying, did Kai calm down after much distraction and consolation.

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I believed Kai learned this from Cohen from watching previous tantrum outbursts. Kai has also learned to say "I done it", just like his cousin upon completing an exciting task.

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So back home we went, and I just wanted to pass out on the car ride home...Hey! Come to think of it, I should have carried the baby and have my sister carry both boys instead!