Exploring the World with Pokémon Go: Independence Grove Lakeside Trail
As promised, I returned to explore the Independence Grove Lakeside Trail. This adventure took place on my birthday, and following that tradition, I found somewhere stunning to explore. As not promised, I once more went the same direction around the park. Unfortunately, like the the last few times, this created a few places with duplicate pictures. This time though, I tried my best not to do that. Instead I focused on the new sections.
The Independence Grove Lakeside Trail took me much closer to the lake than my last couple times here. And if you have been reading this blog for any amount of time, you will know I love taking pictures of water. So look now upon all the lake photos. And know that there will be many more. Its my blog, and it was my birthday when I came here. I did what I wanted.
Once upon a time, Illinois was a series of marshes with incredible displays of flowers and trees. Then neighborhoods and Homeowners Associations happened and ruined most of the state, as well as much of the country in record time. But luckily those people lack the power to ruin this park and so the plants grow as they should. I focused quite a bit on these flowers and the wonderful displays of colors that dotted the landscape.
I’m not sure what the names of any of these flowers or trees are called. But they are definitely flowers and trees. And that is all I will say about that. Also I want to talk about a bridge that is not the one featured in the last two posts. As I was closer to the lake, I discovered its actually three lakes. And this trail crossed between them a couple times. The two smaller lakes are labeled as bays on Google Maps. And I assume the park does too.
Gravel Path
The next segment of the Independence Grove Lakeside Trail, the path transitioned from paved trail to gravel. Probably to make it easier to walk on the trail. Pavement is harder on feet than gravel which in turn is harder to walk on than flat grass. None of that to see here. In fact as the photos show, where there is grass, there is hill. Even if those hills are tiny compared to mountains. This is Illinois after all.
Still, compared to Florida, any hills are good hills. I didn’t realize just how flat Florida was until I came back to Illinois. And I always assumed this state was flat growing up. The pictures make this place look even more flat than it was. In fact the Lakeside Trail was lower and up against the lake almost the whole hike. Meanwhile the last couple adventures I went on took me around the upper layer of the park.
Plenty of park benches dotted this section. Which makes sense when you realize that this area has no tree cover or shade. While this heat was nothing compared to Florida, it was still enough that I was feeling uncomfortable by this part of the hike. I didn’t use any bench as I try not to stop unless I have to. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t support them being there. Too many people only care about things if it benefits them directly.
Many of the pictures taken here are different angles from what I showcased in earlier posts. So not too much more to add to this section of the Independence Grove Lakeside Trail. The pictures tell a much better story than I can in words. Oh except for new plants. Just like the old ones, I don’t know what these ones are called either. Feel free to let me know cause it boosts my engagement and Google likes that.
Deviating
For the last segment of the Independence Grove Lakeside Trail I did something I rarely do normally. I deviated from the trail and went a different direction. It didn’t take me too far from the trail and ultimately I ended up back on it. But my last blog post adventure went the exact same direction on that same segment of both trails. It was either skip that section on this blog, retake pictures, or go elsewhere and find something new.
There is much more to see and do at Independence Grove than what I showcased in two and a half blog posts. This place is incredible and I’ll be coming back here more than a few more times. Not for my blog, but just because there is more to see and do. But I also am ready to continue down the Des Plaines River Trail and so next time that is where I’ll go.
Anyway, what this section, the deviation, showed me is several shaded places and green spaces that are a bit farther from the lake. And then there are others that back right up to it. There was even a few sections closed off, likely for private gatherings. Whatever you might be seeking to spend on a day off, I’m confident that if you are in Lake County, Illinois, that Independence Grove will have what you seek. This is one of the loveliest parks I have explored in a long time and goes up there with the greats that I will hold future park’s standards to.
For my birthday, I could not have chosen better.
Pokémon Go
Well, I have talked a lot about Independence Grove, the Independence Grove Lakeside Trail, and also mentioned in the last post that I didn’t get a chance to play much Pokémon Go while here. Did I fix that problem this time? Nope. I played a bit, but its clear from the Pokestops that I did not spin that there is much more for me to do on that front.
And you know what. That’s fine. It gives me a reason to come back to this incredible park. From what I did see, this is an incredible place to play. I got an ambassador balloon while the game was open which usually means that a group frequently plays here. I’m sure that there is a large community of trainers that calls Independence Grove their optimal place to play the game. All in all, there are countless reasons to come to Independence Grove. If you are near Lake County, Illinois, you owe it to yourself to check this place out.
I hatched several eggs. Unlike last time, this batch was duds. Nothing but stardust and candy. That is to be expected after several good hatches. But it would have been nice for my birthday to be rewarded with something truly worthwhile.
Happy Birthday to me. This was a great choice for a birthday hike. I’m not sure where I’ll be next year but it will be hard pressed to be more impressive than Independence Grove. Until next time. I’m planning to return to the Des Plaines River Trail with a whole lot of ground still to cover.