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I've been walking at The Grove all summer, but haven't been there for a few weeks. Much has changed. The maple trees have dropped their leaves and you can see through the woods. The path to the Interpretive Center is decorated for Halloween.   Trick or Treat Trail Make believe meets nature for a spooky night of fun! Take a journey along the haunted paths at The Grove on the spookiest night of the year! Trick or treat at all nine doors of the Historic 1856 Kennicott House and throughout The Grove. Along the way, you'll collect candy and prizes from frightfully fun characters at entertaining and interactive stations. This one-of-a-kind event combines Halloween magic with the beauty of nature at night. Encounter live critters, take home a pumpkin, and enjoy a spooktacular evening the whole family will love! Costumes encouraged – Dress up and join the fun! Special trick-or-treat bags provided – No need to bring your own. Allergy-friendly treats available – Look for the teal pum...

 This summer has been the year of the amazing weather and my love affair with my Apple watch. I decided that I needed both time in nature and some regular exercise beyond my sometimes-I-go aqua aerobics classes. Walking my way through some good times and some bad... Walking and documenting it on my health apps has been motivating for weight loss and just generally feeling better about myself and my encroaching age. I've searched out places to walk where I felt safe walking by myself and grounded to the earth.  This week I finally got the opportunity to visit Volo Bog State Natural Area , which is about an hour's drive from my house, out in the far boonies of Chicagoland. When I left the house, there was not a cloud in the sky, but the farther northwest I got, the cloudier it got. I figured that if I were on vacation, I'd be out there walking in the rain anyway, so I put on my fleece and my cap and took off. I'm always intrigued by glacial and volcanic geography. The wal...