Day 4
June 20 (Starved Rock State Park, IL)
A long travel day.
We woke up, casually packed up camp, and got moving. Cassandra started us off and swiftly moved us through central Ohio. I got some reading and writing done as a passenger and really enjoyed kicking back to start the day. We eventually stopped at Pokagon State Park in Indiana to stretch our legs and have a picnic. We should have known this place was awesome when they charged us an entry fee (I was initially thinking, "That's an expensive picnic…"). The Visitor Center included a squirrel habitat/sanctuary that has all kinds of squirrels, chipmunks, and bird (we saw the biggest squirrels we've ever seen and, among other beautiful birds, another oriole (redwinged black birds, cardinals, hummingbird).
Ev and Til played on the playground after lunch - we couldn't have planned a better stop!
I continued driving through Indiana from Pokagon. While Indiana is a flat and cozy farmed landscape, Illinois is more rugged in its scenery, and this continued as we arrived at Starved Rock State Park. We were struck by the kindness of the people we interacted with across Indiana into Illinois - from camping neighbors and attendees to gas station and convenience store clerks. It was the beginning of a shared experience from coast to coast of support, generosity, and fellowship from people we encountered along the way. This first long drive day just happened to be the first day we noted it.
Cassandra finished the drive, backing the camper into our site for the first time! It was fun watching her gain confidence in herself with backing a trailer (which is very intimidating and confusing, having to turn the wheel the opposite direction and direct a long extension to the car).
We setup camp quickly and settled in for a few days. The accommodations at Starved Rock weren't great - a couple porta-potties and a restroom about 200 yards away. The bikes certainly came in handy. This place has a similar feel and atmosphere as when Cassandra and I camped in Wharton State Park last spring. It's fun and rough here.
Tomorrow, I get down to business with virtual AP Summer Institute.
woo hoo…
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