I&M Canal Trail National Recreation Area
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I had a weekend that allowed me the time to explore the nearby I&M Canal Trail.
"The Illinois and Michigan Canal connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. In Illinois, it ran 96 miles (154 km) from the Chicago River in Bridgeport, Chicago to the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru. The canal crossed the Chicago Portage and helped establish Chicago as the transportation hub of the United States, before the railroad era. It was opened in 1848. Its function was partially replaced by the wider and deeper Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in 1900, and it ceased transportation operations with the completion of the Illinois Waterway in 1933." en.wikipedia.org
I started in the afternoon at Gebhard Woods State Park in Morris and headed westward. I didn't realize the trail started over the small ponds at the park, so traveled a bit on Illinois Route 2 until I rediscovered the trail. There was a lot of overgrowth, bogs, and mature trees which limited campsites along the route. As it was getting dark, I found an established campsite prior to Seneca. There were a lot of mosquitos on this bogey night, and I was very glad for the enclosed 1-man tent I took. As soon as dinner was done, I escaped to this refuge.
The next day I continued west, passing through Marseilles and Ottawa. It was amazing at the seclusion of this trail and sudden reappearance at these small towns. I reached Buffalo Rock State Park at lunchtime. I ascended the step road to get to the top and enjoyed the wide overlook across the Illinois River. Looking further west, I considered that evening's campsite and cross through LaSalle. In addition to going across the shooting range for the Buffalo Range & Gun Company, there wasn't a lot more scenery for another day. Although it was 60 miles back to Morris, that's what I elected to do. After a very tiring cycling day, I arrived back in Morris around 5pm.