July 18, 2023
After seeing the beautiful sunflower field at Matthiessen State Park, we decided to try Starved Rock State Park along the Illinois River.
While this park was also packed, we were able to find a spot to park in the visitor center parking lot on the far edge near the Illinois River.
Nox was excited to get out and do some more exploration. We walked her toward the visitor center.
I hurried inside the visitor to pick up a map. It turns out they donāt have paper maps anymore. I did get a quick look around the visitor center, but I didnāt see much of it since Bruce and Nox were waiting for me outside. I did take pictures of the maps so I would have them.
Since we had Nox, we only hiked up to the top of Starved Rock. Nox enjoyed the ride up the steps!
They had informational signs along the boardwalk on top of Starved Rock.
After we came down from Starved Rock, we went back to Matthiessen State Park and admired the waterfall.
From there, we went to another state park with a stop at the US Army Corp of Engineers Rock Island District Visitor Center.
Blackberry Homestead 
Iāll bite. Why is it called Starved Rock?
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Toby, please donāt bite! Here is the story of Starved Rock. āIn the 1760s, Pontiac (Chief of the Ottawa tribe) was slain by an Illiniwek while attending a tribal council in southern Illinois. According to the legend, during one of the battles that subsequently occurred to avenge his killing, a band of Illiniwek, under attack by a band of Potawatomi (allies of the Ottawa) sought refuge atop a 125-foot sandstone butte. The Ottawa and Potawatomi surrounded the bluff and held their ground until the hapless Illiniwek died of starvationāgiving rise to its name Starved Rock.ā
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Ooh, another sad story of humans being mean to each other. ā¹ļø
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Yes, it was another sad story of humans being mean to each other.
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I’d imagine that Miss Nox made much of how she, too, was starving at the rock and deserved more treats!
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Miss Nox always wants more treats! She has fallen in love with one of the campground workers who gives out dog treats on his rounds! He comes by in his golf cart and Nox tries to get in the golf cart. He even took Nox on a short ride in his golf cart. She had a great time and then she got a treat.
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Well, of course pelicans can read – they just don’t choose to obey!
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