Exploring the World with Pokémon Go: Des Plaines River Trail 8
As I continue looking for a job, I decided it was time for another hike. And so I braved smoke caused by Canadian Wildfires to explore Des Plaines River Trail 8. This path took me past two different parks. And I’ll be exploring both of those in later posts.
Haze was in the air and it was spooky season. I can’t think of a more fitting backdrop for this adventure. Des Plaines River Trail 8 would take me through two parks and across the river several times soon enough. But it started looking just like the last section. The leaves are continuing to change to gold and its creating stunning sections. What would be ordinary becomes magical because of a natural process that due to changing weather patterns has caused fall to start staggered on different trees.
Around the first major bend I passed by a shopping center just barely hidden by the tree line. Its one of the more urban areas near the trail thus far. And as I move south towards Chicago those instances where the illusion of isolation is shattered will become more common. At least there is clear separation. Some trails down in Florida took me straight through shopping centers. Dodging cars can be disruptive when I am trying to explore at my own pace.
As I made my way to Mile Marker 23.75, I suppressed a chuckle remembering what I had said in my last post about the mile markers suddenly being consistent. What has been growing more common as I continue south is the appearance of benches and small green spaces set up around the trail for us. Perhaps this is a more traveled part of the trail? I won’t know until I have gone much further.
Mile Marker 24
More smoke, benches, and beautiful scenery awaited me as I continued down Des Plaines River Trail 8 and towards Mile Marker 24. Yep 24. I now know from checking signs that will appear later in this post, that it will take me more than thirty miles to cross into Cook County. And that excites me because this then marks the longest trail I have hiked in a single county once I make it the last little bit.
Despite the health hazard, it was a beautiful October day. Perhaps a little too nice. When I was younger, I remembered needing a sweater when I went outside this time of year. It really is a reminder of the changing times. Still, a hike in 60 degree Fahrenheit weather is nothing to complain about. Nor is the path being covered in leaves. I missed this time of year while living in Florida. And things were only going to get magnificent as I continued down the trail.
Mile Marker 24.25
But there was still plenty of Des Plaines River Trail 8 to explore building up to what would be a grand walk. Mile Marker 24.25 reminded me how far I had traveled. And the increasing number of golden leaves on the trees, and rotting ones on the ground reminded me that winter was coming soon. I want to hike as much of this trail as I can before it gets too cold. A weird reversal from when I lived in Florida and it was the summer that kept me away.
The marsh lands that the Des Plaines River trail travels through have started reaching towards the trail. But I imagine that the same groups that are working hard to protect these wetlands will ensure that people will continue to check them out from the safety of the trail. There are lots of endangered species that live in Lake County Illinois and protecting their habitats is vital. That is why the trails are so well integrated. We are visiting their homes and need to continue treating the wildlife with the respect and dignity that we should have for other humans.
Mile Marker 25
The next segment of Des Plaines River Trail 8 conveniently missed several sub mile markers and went all the way to Mile 25. And all the while I walked through an incredible park. And by walking through, I mean just off to the side. I’ll be exploring this park in its own dedicated blog post, but the pictures above are a small preview of what to expect. The Des Plaines River serves as the western boundary of that park. And that is important in a moment.
After crossing the river, I found myself excited by what I couldn’t see. There were other trails that crossed this one and took me towards other areas nearby. This reminded me of Independence Grove which I spent several blog posts exploring. With the winter coming, I have to make sure that if I spend extra time exploring anywhere that it is truly worthwhile. So far I am impressed though so that might be in my future.
Like the last couple parts of the Des Plaines River Trail, this area is being rehabilitated. I mentioned earlier how there are a lot of endangered species in Lake County Illinois. And I would be upset if such beautiful wetlands were to be harmed. It makes me feel good to know that these areas are being taken care of. And with several trails that overlap in this area, I’ll have that many more chances to take a look at these wetlands.
Mile Marker 25.25
Remember how I mentioned that the Des Plaines River forms a boundary for that park mentioned above? The reason I brought that up is because there is another park on the other side of the river. Des Plaines River Trail 8 took me through both of these places. And I intend to dedicate at least one blog post to each location. Extra trails go back and forth between the parks. Some people probably explore them both together. I however will be looking at them under separate lenses.
Since the next Mile Marker was only 25.25, its clear I saw a lot to take pictures of in that small range. Not only did I cross the river again. But trees continued to transform all around me. And that combination is dare I say divine. This entire area looks like something from one of my stories. Luckily the sorts of creatures one might run into in said stories are not real. You don’t want to run into the Fae in my books after all.
Anyway, back to reality. This was a magical journey. And I can’t wait to see what is around the next couple bends of the river and this trail. But wait, there is more. And more bends in the trail just for this blog post. As I moved deeper into that second park, I only found more incredible sights to take pictures of.
Beyond the Mile Markers
The last part of my adventure on Des Plaines River Trail 8 took me right up to the main entrance of that second park. Well there seem to be two ways in so I might not have found the main main entrance, but where I stopped was good enough to be considered one. This second location is a park park by the way. I’m growing fond of that double word for emphasis. Despite how silly it looks on the page.
I saw gazebos, activity areas, and a playground. No need to completely focus on what I saw in the distance just yet. After all, I fully intend to get closer and focus on this place for its own blog post. And after all that, I’ll be back on the trail where according to maps, there are many more parks to check out before I reach the end of the Lake County portion of this trail.
There is so much to explore on this trail. And its been on my bucket list for years now to go from one end to the other. Reaching the Cook County part of the trail will be a major milestone. But I can’t rush my way there either. The journey, especially a literal journey involving hiking is just as important as the destination. In fact it might be more important in this case.
Pokémon Go
Well I have talked plenty about Des Plaines River Trail 8 in the real world. But how does it measure up in Pokémon Go? Well, as the trail passes by two incredible parks, it should be clear. The second half of this hike was an incredible experience in game. Tons of landmarks that are Pokestops. There were several gyms as I walked around. Even better, the spawns were plentiful. Especially during a Halloween Event, this is a big deal for me.
But I want to save what Pokemon Go looks like in the parks for those individual posts. Instead, I selected to showcase the trailhead that I started the days adventure at. The northern half of my adventure was a lot less plentiful in Pokemon Go, but the trailhead itself is a good spot in its own right. Being in range of several Pokestops all at once is never a bad thing.
I hatched two eggs while on my hike. And I never see Charmander and Tinkatink candy as a bad thing. Never can have too many Tinkatons and yes… Charizards too. Tinkaton is one of my favorite Pokémon and while I dislike Charizard quite a bit, contrarian as I am, I can’t deny its value in Go.
Don’t let my face or the odd angles I’m holding my nose at fool you. I was extremely happy by the end of this hike. This had been an adventure on a whim. Normally I wouldn’t have gone back out so soon. But with rain coming on the day I normally go on hikes, the possibility of my work schedule drastically changing soon, and the energy to go on a walk, it was the perfect storm for adventure. Even with smoke in the air, I did not get slowed down much.
I can’t wait to explore the two parks I passed by on this hike. They seem like really promising places, filled with beautiful locations to get pictures of. Look forward to new adventures and soon. I’m quite eager to continue this adventure.