Exploring the World with Pokémon Go: Wilmot Woods Forest Preserve
I went back on the Des Plaines River Trail an traveled away from Independence Grove. Beyond this park I found my way to another one. Wilmot Woods Forest Preserve was the next location on my adventure down the trail. There was a lot to see and like many other locations on the trail, there was a lot to look at.
Unfortunately, an unwanted pest or rather a massive swarm of them was quite happy that I visited. I’ll talk more about them in a moment. But let’s start with the positive and take a look at what I saw on this adventure.
Mile Marker 16
Before I could explore Wilmot Woods Forest Preserve, I needed to get there. First I followed the Des Plaines River Trail out of Independence Grove. Over several bridges and the Des Plaines River, my hike took me through a beautiful field of flowers. Well also marsh. But marshes are fields where the ground is mushy right?
The weather was perfect too. And while it looked like it was going to rain, the clouds held and kept the sun away. This weather was far preferable to the humid sun of Florida. The wind was comforting too. A shame then that this mild weather brought out bugs too. At this point in my hike, they hadn’t come out to feast on my flesh and blood just yet. But they would… soon.
Mile Marker 16 stood as an important milestone. Starting now, every foot forward on the trail was a new one forward into unknown territory. I can’t even visualize the trail beyond where the last segment ended. And I can’t wait to see all this new ground with my eyes. Its one of the best perks of living away from Florida. This adventure would have taken several years to complete. And now I’ll be able to get so much farther along.
Mile Marker 16.25
Beyond that Mile Marker, my journey towards Wilmot Woods Forest Preserve took me towards another underpass bridge. This time, Illinois State Road 137 which I have driven on much more frequently since moving back. Its an important road that several train stations happen o be near. And its an odd road where it goes southeast, then east, then north. Its northern end is at the Wisconsin State Border right by lake Michigan in fact.
Other than the underpass, the marshlands from the last segment of my hike followed me all the way to the bridge. But not beyond it. For you see, those marshes were the last bit of Independence Grove, following me as far as they could. Bidding goodbye to that wonderful place, I set out under State Road 137 and towards Mile Marker 16.25. Once more the mile markers were inconsistent.
Mile Marker 17
Like I said before, the mile markers on this trail can be at times inconsistent. I still hadn’t quite made it to Wilmot Woods Forest Preserve when I came upon this region of the trail. Instead, I passed by a large park that will be the focus of my next blog post involving this trail. But before I went there, I wanted to explore the area near it. And also I wanted to make sure it was a park and not a school. Since the maps indicated that it was both. Being nearby helped me understand what was going on. That park is both a school and a public park. Not at the same time, mind you, but there are two distinct areas.
That aside, this section of the Des Plaines River Trail was mostly forest with some standing water in a few places. Anyone familiar with that description should know what happened to me when I came here without bug spray. The mosquitoes smelled blood and were on me like a terrible swarm of little vampires.
My picture quality decreased for a bit as I spent quite a bit of time fending off the little pests as well as thinking about many of my life choices. But I did take a few pictures of a monument and some benches off to the side of the trail for those who wanted to watch the Des Plaines River for a while. But most of all, I was ready to move on to the next section since I knew I would be returning here for a separate blog post. What I sought for this blog post was beyond Mile Marker 17.
Mile Marker 17.25
As I approached Mile Marker 17.25 I made my way through Wilmot Woods Forest Preserve at long last. Unfortunately the mosquitoes refused to let up. And so I was so distracted constantly crushing swatting and doing whatever it took to leave this place with as much of my blood as I had come here with, that I didn’t take as many pictures.
What I do remember is that the path was filled with falling leaves all along the trail. And the woods were thick on both sides. But not completely to the point of blocking everything out. The Des Plaines River was visible at times which was a departure from the last few parts of this adventure where the river was near but rarely seen.
Mile Marker 17.5
Mile Marker 17.5 was not far from the last one. I let you figure out why on your own. Anyway, the pests were not far either. I was still extremely distracted keeping them off me and constantly waiting for any itching sensations. I lowered the native population by a little bit, but nothing that will have any effect on their numbers.
When I wasn’t freaking out over bugs, I took some pictures of this part of Wilmot Woods Forest Preserve. I opted to look more at the area outside the tree line, rather than the trail itself like the area preceding it. The sun wouldn’t have had too much power here even on a clear day, but the cloudy skies made the forest feel comfortable and dare I say a little cooler than I expected in the summer. Especially as afternoon was fast approaching.
Mile Marker 18
The trail took me towards the southern segment of Wilmot Woods Forest Preserve. The good news was that the area cleared out a bit. The bad news was that this only lessened the bugs to a small degree. They kept bothering me and buzzing all around. Still, as their numbers decreased, I was able to get better pictures. But first I made it across a local road which was a possible turn around point. But when I remembered what was coming up, I continued on for almost another mile.
Nearby a small segment of the Des Plaines River was covered in a green blanket that was very similar to many of the marshes I have traveled through in Florida. From what I understand, this forms mostly in stagnant water. But I’m no expert on algae and perhaps I’m mixing different water features up.
Anyway, what I got all excited about is partially visible at Mile Marker 18. Just above it in fact. That there is a railroad bridge. And not just any railroad bridge. Those are the tracks that the Milwaukee North Metra Line. As a kid, that was the train I used the most. After moving back to Chicago I have rode on it frequently. Perhaps I should do a train adventure for my blog at some point. No train went by while I was taking pictures, but I heard one when the bridge was out of sight.
Mile Marker 18.5
While the second to last segment of my adventure through Wilmot Woods Forest Preserve was only half a mile beyond the last part, I had a lot to be excited about. Not only was the forest thinning out a bit which also lowered the number of bugs biting me, but I saw another bridge in the distance. That bridge was and is a major landmark and one I recognized. Mostly from seeing it while riding the Metra. I had assumed it was the Des Plaines River Trail, but it was surreal in a sense to actually be on that path.
Anyone who has been reading these posts knows I love lakes, rivers, bridges, and trains. And this section of the trail had every one of those things. Naturally I couldn’t help but feel bliss, even while insects felt the same as they continued trying to bite into my flesh. I passed a lot of bikers while on that bridge and it was clear to me that I had picked a perfect day to hike. After all, others were doing the same. Maybe I should bring bug spray next time?
Sadly, all good things come to an end. And as I reached Mile Marker 18.5, I knew the end of this adventure was close. In fact as you will see in the next section, I could have ended my walk right at that mile marker. But I wanted to go the distance and complete my hike in a predetermined spot.
The Final Stretch
These last two pictures took me to the true edge of Wilmot Woods Forest Preserve. And at the southern edge sits the next bridge with the next underpass that takes the trail rather close to the Des Plaines River. This time the street above is Illinois Route 176. Another major east west road in northeast Illinois, anyone who has lived near here is likely familiar with the road.
Next time I hike the trail and not visit one of the nearby parks, I’ll continue my adventure down the Des Plaines River Trail on the other side of this bridge. That way, even if it floods, I will not be impeded. Since this trail will continue down places I have never seen before, I can’t keep back my excitement. You might even find another post in the near future. I’m eager to head back out there.
Pokemon Go
So I have spent a lot of time talking about Wilmot Woods Forest Preserve in real life as well as showing pictures of the place. But how does Pokémon Go measure up? And more importantly, did I actually play this time? The answer to the first question is that this was a better than average place to play as far as trails are concerned. This is equal to other parts of the Des Plaines River Trail with several landmarks that are all Pokestops or gyms. And of course, spawns were plentiful the entire time. I ran out of regular Pokeballs and was using Great and Ultra on everything.
There is an event going on for the end of a season as of my hike on this trail. So not only were the spawns plentiful, but many rare Pokemon were appearing in abundance as you can see in the above screen shot. Specifically that area up in that image is the place with the railroad bridge, the river below, and the trail bridge crossing. An area with that many landmarks will always be a good spot to play. And if you are willing to brave the bugs, there is a lot to see and do on this hike. Pokemon catching included.
Eggs
Now let’s talk about these eggs. This was a very good batch of hatches. Not only because Larvesta and Snom Candy are always welcome, but more importantly, because that Indeedee hatched with perfect stats. No matter the Pokemon, I’m always happy when something appears that has maximum value. And Indeedee is a Pokemon that I use frequently in the main game. This is an incredible hatch that if I don’t use in Go, I most certainly will in Champions or another competitive game.
Here I am, exhausted after having to fend of bloodsucking insects for over an hour. That didn’t crush my happiness though. Rather it helped me push through. I refuse to let these insects win. Then again many humans have thought the same and there is a reason that the mosquito is near the top of human killers after all this time.
Anyway those things aside, I can’t wait to return to this trail and go on another hike. I always feel energized during and after one of these walks. Its truly one of the best ways for me to work on my physical and mental health. And I will find a way to go on these walks, even when winter starts to bite in a few months.