Starved Rock Winter Getaway Weekend

By John Emmering

Winter released its icy grip in time for the Starved Rock Winter Getaway Weekend which kicked off on Saturday February 2. Six NIRG members, John & Robin Emmering, Pat & Dee Maroney and Gary & Dawn Osborne met up at the parking lot of the Pheasant Run Resort at 8:15 am prepared to have a great experience at Starved Rock State Park. 

With John leading the way the convoy took off west bound on Route 64 on the sunny mild winter morning.  Taking in the snowy white landscape on the journey the procession arrived at the Starved Rock Lodge at 10:30 am after a pleasant drive.  Everyone of course drove “modern iron” as the V-8s were all safely tucked away for the winter. Ron & Colleen Steck and Este Scheve had already arrived at the lodge and the group met up and waited for lunch to be served.

The friendly hostess greeted the participants and escorted the group to a nice round table for nine in the dining room and showed them the special “Eagle Tour” menu. After ordering lunch choices, the group enjoyed conversation until lunch was served. 

After an enjoyable meal, tour members left their seats and prepared to board the trolley which would take them on a guided tour through the Starved Rock State Park to view the winter scenery.  Passing through the small town of Utica the guide explained some local history including a tragic account of a tornado that caused significant damage and loss of life.

Pulling into the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center the trolley let the riders out for the highlight of the tour, which was the chance to observe Bald Eagles as they perched in trees along the Illinois River and flew over the river looking for fish. Using binoculars or the fixed binocular telescopes tour participants got a great view of the Bald Eagles.  After viewing the eagles, a Corps of Engineer Ranger gave the group a short talk on eagles and opened the floor for questions.  The Ranger showed a brief but informative video about the habits of Bald Eagles.  Next stop was Starved Rock’s Visitor Center.

Driving the trolley back to the Starved Rock Lodge the guide finished the tour and participants met up inside to pose for a group photograph. Next the group headed out to Ottawa Canyon near the Starved Rock exit to view the impressive frozen waterfall.  After parking their cars participants walked about half a mile down a snowy trail and were impressed by the sight of the large frozen waterfall caused during the frigid polar vortex experienced a few days earlier.

Arriving later on Saturday were George & Dawn Zulas along with their son Tom Zulas & Denise Brussels. Larry & Michele Hunkele, good friends of the Stecks and Dawn Osborne’s sister Bonnie also arrived for the weekend.

Leaving after Saturday’s activities were John & Robin Emmering, Pat & Dee Maroney and Este Scheve.   The others had an enjoyable weekend hiking Wildcat Canyon, gathering at the lodge Saturday evening and meeting for brunch on Sunday morning at Hank’s Farm Restaurant in Ottawa. Everyone involved, whether for just the Saturday tour and lunch or the whole weekend had a fun time and went away with a lot of great photos and memories.