Exploring the World with Pokémon Go: Des Plaines River Trail 2
I got a chance to return to the trail and explore Des Plaines River Trail 2. And my brother came with me on this adventure.
After crossing Illinois 173, I continued my adventure down Des Plaines River Trail 2. I could hardly contain my excitement. After all, I didn’t think I would get a chance to go to this section on this walk. But there was a second thing I was excited about. My youngest brother came with, curious to see how I make these posts.
The trail moves away from Van Patten Woods and heads south. This section was a lot more secluded and quiet as a result. But Illinois is known for being flat and so the footing was good and it was an easy hike. My brother chose to come after working on his feet for an entire week and had no problem keeping up.
Mile Marker 2 was not far down the trail from where we started. But that isn’t bad by any stretch. We had plenty of trail still to check out.
Mile Marker 2.25:
After leaving the last section, Des Plaines River Trail enters another preserve. This one is called Sterling Lake Forest Preserve and since the trail is the only way I could see to travel through this little pocket of nature, there won’t be a post in the future exploring the park. So take in these images. they serve to showcase both park and trail.
Illinois was once covered in wetlands. While much of northern Illinois is now urban you can still see the past in these preserves. You might be forgiven this was back in Van Patten Woods, but that large park is behind me on this section of the trail. Still, its not far, and the two parks share similar biomes.
The next Mile Marker on the trail labeled was 2.25. I’m really convinced that these signs were added at different times. I have not seen anything like it down in Florida. Won’t say no to it though. Helps to break up the images so there is not a mountain of images per section.
Mile Marker 2.75:
Well well, looks like I broke that promise to avoid the mountain of pictures. But this section of Des Plaines River Trail 2 was filled with too many things to get pictures of to ignore. This area looked a lot like how the trail starts. That is still my favorite section of the trail, but this little walk through more rolling hills and far enough away from the nearby streets is a close second.
I kept fearing rain while my brother and I traveled but we stayed relatively dry for almost the entire adventure. The dark patches on the trail are caused by dew and water falling off the nearby trees. Speaking of trees, I have always been a fan of those forest trails where the trees get in close overhead. Reminds me of the scene in the Fellowship of the Ring where the Ringwraith first appears.
Anyway, the pictures above speak for themselves. So let’s talk about the next mile marker. I think its been said to death by now that there are two types of mile markers. The ones every mile as well as the smaller ones added with less of a pattern. Obviously Mile Marker 2.75 is in the second category. I spent a lot of time on this trail taking in the sights. Remember I didn’t expect that I would get to go here at all.
Mile Marker 3:
After the last part filled with lots of photos, it was just a short walk down Des Plaines River Trail 2 to the next mile marker. The rolling hills were replaced with flat forest land and the quiet settled even deeper.
Mile Marker 3.0 was one I hadn’t expected to reach on my Illinois Vacation. But it was nice to be farther along on this long awaited adventure than originally planned. Bringing my brother along only made this walk that much better.
Mile Marker 3.25:
As Des Plaines River Trail 2 took my brother and I to the southern end of Sterling Lake Forest Preserve, I grew a little sad knowing that this would be my last time on this trail for a long time. I’m estimating about 9 months till I’m back if you are keeping track.
Another thing on my mind was the fact that Sterling Lake Forest Preserve is only viewable from the trail. I’m wondering how many other parks I’ll have to merge with the trail for the sake of the blog. Its a shame that I can’t draw specific attention to the fact that this is a park and a trail simultaneously. Just kidding. I just did.
Mile Marker 3.25 would be the last one I would pass on this adventure. But only 9 more months before I have a chance to go on another adventure in Illinois.
The final segment of Des Plaines River Trail 2 took my brother and I to the southern edge of Sterling Lake Forest Preserve. Most of the rolling hills are gone in this area, but there is still plenty of marshland showing what Illinois was once like.
I found a good stopping point that will make it easier to take the trail again when I return in 9 months. My brother also works a job where he is on his feet all day and I didn’t want to force him to walk farther than he was comfortable. I didn’t want to make him upset and never want to go on one of these adventures with me again.
A good thing he like Pokémon Go as well. It gave us both something else to do together while traveling. I’m eagerly waiting a chance to return and continue this adventure. A journey I have wanted to make since I was still a teen.
Pokémon Go:
Here is a Meditite I hatched while walking Des Plaines River Trail 2. Nothing special really.
Unfortunately, I forgot to get a picture in Pokemon Go of this section of the trail. But know that this part didn’t compare to the last as far as spawns and stops were concerned. Admittedly I was a bit disappointed. My brother even more so since he wasn’t taking pictures for a travel blog.
Perhaps its because this section isn’t as visited, but there were few to no spawns and basically no stops or gyms the entire way. Maybe the next section will have more, but as far as Pokémon Go is concerned, I recommend the area just north of here.
My blue incense didn’t get me any crazy standouts. This adventure was much more about the trail. Pokémon Go was more of an afterthought. Not only because there were few spawns and stops, but also because the nature here was something else. The views in the sun even hindered by clouds was something special.
Wrap Up:
My brother had a great time on this adventure with me. He told me that he would be down to do this again some day. Though he admitted that he would have preferred a better Pokémon Go spot. Maybe next time. Who knows what the future might bring?
Next time I really will be in Florida back to exploring what most of you are familiar with. But who knows what I might find among what is familiar. That was the reason I started this blog in the first place.