Friday, February 24, 2012

99 / Starved Rock

Hi all! Today I woke up to find I am verrry close to 100 readers, wahooo!! Thank you all so much for visiting, reading, and supporting my blog the past few months. My blog is still so new but I am glad that people are starting to find it :] So thank you all for checking my blog out and all of the lovely comments you leave, it really means a lot.

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As I told you all Monday, I visited Starved Rock last Saturday with the fam. My mom, sweetpea, and I woke up extra early and hit the road in search of bald eagles. Here are some shots from that day. I had hoped to take some Wardrobe Wednesday shots, but in the end wasn't in the mood to get dolled up that early in the morning.

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For those of you unfamiliar with Starved Rock, it is a beautiful national park located in Utica, Illinois. The 2,360 acre land is full of many canyons, waterfalls, and trees to explore. You can hike, fish, and camp here and is listed as one of Illinois's "Seven Wonders". According to native legend, a group of Illini Indians had come under attack by a war party of Ottawa and Potawatomi Indians and suffered starvation when trapped on the butte without food or water. The butte later became known as Starved Rock.

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For optimal eagle viewing us ladies trekked to the top of Starved Rock in order to get a better view of the surrounding area.

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The little princess, pea, couldn't make it up all of the stairs with her little legs so she was carried the majority of the way. Once we were at the top she was able to run about. Yes, she is wearing my brothers undershirt - we forgot her sweater and it was a pretty brisk day. Pea didn't seem to mind her new look one bit.

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Don't worry, I didn't forget the eagles! Starved Rock is home to the bald eagle. Winter time is the best time to spot eagles because they migrate south to the open waters of Starved Rock created by it's locks and dams. This year there were significantly less eagles due to the unusually warmer weather. Thankfully, we spotted four on our trip. I was able to sneak up under the last one and get a good shot (I don't have a telephoto lens so it was the best shot I could get).

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On the ride home we drove through the cute town of Utica where they were gearing up for Mardi Gras.

Starved Rock is such a beautiful place, if you ever get the chance you should check it out. Have a lovely Friday everyone :]

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Eeep! I forgot to add Abe in!! Thankfully he is everywhere here in Illinois. Had to rub his nose for good luck (100 blog followers - i'll take it!!)

32 comments:

  1. Congrats Allison!
    Starved Rock looks stunning. I can see why it's one of Illinois's "Seven Wonders"
    Sweetpea is adorable in her makeshift outfit :)

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    1. Thank you! Starved Rock really is beautiful all year round. Haha, she got quite a bit of looks in that outfit :]

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  2. I love road trips. Great photos!

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  3. That looks such a stunning place! I love parks such as this and how vividly blue the sky is for a winters day!

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  4. Yay! 100 followers!!! What beautiful photos, it looks like a lovely place :)
    toni xo

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  5. What a cutie!! <3 And congrats on 100 followers-- here's to 100 more! xo

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  6. I don't even know where to start. This was such a lovely post. I felt like I was reading/watching an episode on Discovery Channel! :) I enjoyed all your history info.
    All the pictures of the scenery are just gorgeous and I really wanna visit there now. The pictures of sweatpea in your brother's shirt are too adorable! Oh, to have such little legs and get carried about every now and then - what a life! :)
    That town is every blogger's dream. I love scoping out cute towns here, too, and all the pictures are the best to show off. And hey, good ol' Abe hit you with good luck because you're AT 100 followers right now! Congrats!

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    1. Thank you. I thought it might be dull to just post photos without any sort of context. Thankfully the information and stories of Starved Rock are interesting, I love that place :] It was such a pretty day for photos. Haha, sweetpea has it way too good. With her little legs and the cold she can't make it too far getting anywhere before she starts shaking and starring up at you sadly to pick her up. I wish I had been able to take more photos, or have done an outfit post...oh well, gives me another excuse to go back. And thanks! I am SOOOOO excited to have reached 100. Eeeeep!

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  7. These photos are so pretty! And yay for 100 followers!! You totally deserve them :) Your blog is adorable :)
    xo Heather
    http://ahopelessnotebook.blogspot.com/

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  8. Looks like you've hit 100 followers, yay! And how cute is Sweetpea! :D

    - Felicity. x

    P.s. I've nominated you for a little blog award, so feel free to pop over and check it out!
    http://pursuitoffelicity.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/yay-for-blog-awards.html

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    1. Wahoo! :] Sweetpea is PREEEETTTYY cute haha.
      & thank you so much!

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  9. Very pretty pictures!! (:
    Check out my blog & follow? (:

    xoxo
    onceuponasprinkle.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you. I will check your blog out right now :]

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  10. Congratulations on your 100 readers! I'm glad I discovered your blog, it's so pretty and well written :)

    Pea looks like a real trecking dog in this undershirt, how cool!
    I think it's funny that people rub noses or ears or other things on old statues, because they think it'll bring them luck. Reminds me of being in Venice, where people throw money into fountains. Well, than I'd prefer to rub a nose :D

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    1. Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoy reading my blog, it really means a lot :]

      Haha, pea was ready to take on the wilderness in her hiking gear.

      I love to rub noses on statues and throw money in to fountains. Who doesn't need some good luck now and then? :]

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  11. what gorgeous pictures, and location! Enjoy your stay!

    And Good Luck getting to 100!!! :)

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  12. I love that image of the rock with writing on it! Great pics

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    1. It is so cute, someone love Carlos :] Thank you.

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  13. charming little town! wow that bold eagle was close, you have a beautiful blog!

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    1. Thank you so much. And I can't believe the eagle let me get that close, he was fearless.

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  14. Great photos and cute blog, I'm now following xx

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  15. Congrats on 100 followers. Beautiful pics and wonderful lay out to your blog! Looking forward to reading more!

    xx
    leslie

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