Ottawa 2026 Weeks 3 & 4 | Section Hiking the I&M Canal Trail between Ottawa and La Salle | Hiking in Starved Rock State Park | January 2026 The second half of our time in Ottawa was the busier half for Curtis work wise, as it always is. But thanks to him taking the night…
Week 2 in Ottawa, IL | Hiking in Starved Rock State Park | Section Hiking the I&M Canal Trail | February 2026 Curtis’ second week of work consisted of him working 10 hour days, and of us getting into the rhythm of being back in outage season. Each night when he returned, we’d go out…
Week 1 in Ottawa, IL | Hiking in Starved Rock State Park | North Utica & Marseilles, IL | January 2026 After returning from our road trip, we spent a little time with my family in Iowa before beginning Curtis’ spring assignments. Winter weather arrived the same day we did, starting with strong wind and…
Hiking the Illinois Canyon Trail in Starved Rock State Park | Week 3 in Ottawa, IL | February 2025 Two years ago during our first stay in Ottawa, IL, we attempted to hike the Illinois Canyon Trail in Starved Rock State Park. We chose it because it was located on the East end of the…
Week 1 in Ottawa, IL | Hiking to La Salle Canyon in Starved Rock State Park | February 2025 This was our third year in a row spending February in Ottawa, IL, and we were truly happy to be back here. The hotel is familiar and comfortable, with such friendly hosts, the town is small…
Hiking to French Canyon in Starved Rock State Park | Spending 2 Weeks in Ottawa, IL | February 2024 Returning to Ottawa, Illinois this spring felt a little bit like returning to a home, a place we once lived, even though it had only been for a month. We arrived at the same hotel as…