starved rock state park

For Trae's Birthday this past September, he wanted to get out of the city 

(please note: that my birthday plans include the exact opposite)

and therefore we spent a day hiking at an Illinois State Park. 

Photos below: 

Happy 33rd Birthday Stud Muffin! 

Yes it is... and it doesn't look incredibly promising :)

It didn't start off incredibly scenic... with views of the dam 

and included hiking for city people with the paths being wooden planks,

which was fine by me, but...

 

But it got better the further out we traveled. 

There were many canyons in this park. 

On the way out we walked the trails at the base of the canyons; 

on the way back we hiked the trails overlooking them.  

From the overlook jutting out in the picture below,

small children were yelling, "They look like ants! Mom, Dad, they look like ants!"

Continuing on....

The road less traveled.

And back to the path...

Looking more petite than usual.  

This was the last canyon... from here we hiked back.

Total distance: 7.5 miles

And look what was cooking in the kitchen while we were gone...
Roast and veggies and fresh herbs.