I ventured to many different stores, restaurants, bars, and attractions when I was in North Carolina. Though I touched upon each of them in the previous North Carolina blog, I’d liked to review them more in depth. In chronological order of when I stopped in, here are my favorite places places I visited in North Carolina:
- Sweet Peas Hostel: I’ve only ever stayed in one other hostel up to this point, and that was in Dublin, where I stayed in a shared room with bunk beds. This time I opted for a private room in a hostel that my lovely friend spoke very highly of. The location was perfect for me, because it is right in the middle of Downtown Asheville. My private room was small, but had everything I needed really: a bed, sink, coat rack, chair, and table. The bathrooms were shared, separated by sex, and the showers were in the same area. All the facilities were clean and brightly lit. There was also a laundry room, a large shared kitchen, and a common area with comfy seating arrangements, a TV and a library with assorted books and movies. My only issue with Sweet Peas is that it rests on top of Lexington Avenue Brewery, which makes for some noisy, late evenings. However, the hostel graciously provides ear plugs for those who need them. Overall, I had a great stay here; it was cozy and welcoming. ($60/night for the private room)
- Lexington Avenue Brewery: It took my road weary brain a couple tries to find LAB, but I was thrilled when I finally made it to the right place! I loved the atmosphere in this bar. I walked in, and they were in the midst of their trivia night. I took a seat at the bar to read and enjoy a good beer. The beer was delicious (1st Gear Ale) and the crowd was lively. I also loved their music choices, which were as erratic as my music tastes. I didn’t get anything to eat here, however they did have an excellent selection of craft beers and the meals that I observed coming out of the nearby kitchen looked very appetizing.
- Early Girl Eatery: I had my first NC breakfast here because I had read so many good things about it. After a short wait, the host showed me into their sun-filled dining room. Everything at Early Girl Eatery is made from scratch and mostly from local sources. I do not eat eggs (which unfortunately makes me an inadequate breakfast-reviewer), so I chose to have the biscuits and herb gravy and bacon. I know I’ve already said this, but it was seriously the best bacon I’ve ever had. I would drive the ten hours back to Asheville just for that bacon.
- The Biltmore Estate: Absolutely beautiful. If you have the time and the funds to visit, do it. The property is huge, so you do need to drive through it, though they have shuttles from certain parking lots to the mansion. The audio tour through the house is a nice addition, but not really necessary; the booklet has plenty of information on each room and goes in the same order as the tour. In total, the tour took about an hour, and I spent another hour walking through the gardens outside the house. The gardens are definitely worth the walk around, they are gorgeous. All of the food and beverage outlets throughout the property are pretty pricey, so I opted out of eating lunch there. Antler Village and the farm are also worth a look. The day time ticket comes with free wine tasting, which is good because I did not want to spring for a full glass! I wish I had more time to partake in some of their outdoor activities, particularly kayaking, but overall I had a marvelous time exploring the Biltmore Estate. ($60/day pass)
- aSHEville Museum: I knew I would like this place as soon as I walked in. The front portion of aSHEville is a shop full of colorful, locally made and fair-trade goods, from jewelry, to ceramics, to clothing. The museum admission is a recommended contribution (between $5 and $15) to its mission, which is fair enough. The exhibits all feature achievements or life stories from women around the world. My favorite was the exhibit showing sexism in advertising through the decades (“don’t worry darling, you didn’t burn the beer!”). It’s an educational and interactive experience.
- Battery Park Book Exchange: This café/bookstore is everything I need in life. Champagne and literature?? Yes. I’m in. I spent a few hours browsing, drinking and reading in the cozy atmosphere of the Book Exchange. The staff were wonderful, and helpfully allowed me to put my lightly-used-but-new-to-me Ernest Hemingway novel on my bar tab. I could literally spend a blissful rainy day just sitting in this café and reading. The Battery Park Book Exchange is a must visit for any bibliophiles passing through North Carolina.
- Bouchon: French comfort food indeed! This restaurant and the creperie next door by the same name ooze Parisian ambiance. I sat at the only seat open, which was at the bar. As that’s my preferred seat when I’m eating alone anyways, I was happy as a clam. Or a mussel…which is what I ordered. It turns out that I don’t actually like mussels, which was my mistake. I did, however, enjoy the French fries that came with it. The bartender was wonderful and helpful in giving tips on where to go. Despite my poor choice in order (based solely on my personal preferences, I’m sure people who actually like mussels would love these ones), I really loved spending time in this adorable homage to French food.
- Thirsty Monk: I wandered into the Thirsty Monk after dinner one night. I wanted to go upstairs to drink on their terrace (The Top of The Monk), however you have to sign up for membership there or something to enjoy this cocktail lounge. It seemed too complicated, so I went back downstairs to the main floor for a beer. The bartender welcomed me with open taps and suggested a delicious local brew. The atmosphere was jolly in the Thirsty Monk, I nursed my beer and people watched before wandering back to the hostel.
- Tupelo Honey Café: When I decided to travel to Asheville, anyone I talked to who had been there before told me that I absolutely needed to have breakfast at Tupelo Honey Café. It was so hyped up that I was afraid I would be disappointed when I finally tried it…but I wasn’t. Their flagship restaurant is located right in downtown Asheville, within walking distance from Sweet Peas Hostel, where I was staying. I sat outside in the shade of their cute, covered porch and enjoyed a delicious meal of cheesy grits, bacon and a biscuit. The food was very tasty, and that combined with the atmosphere out on the porch made for a perfect morning.
- Chimney Rock State Park/Village: Chimney Rock is a beautiful place to spend a day. The state park has a $15 admission fee, and features quite a few gorgeous hikes, ranging in difficulty. I hiked to the top of Chimney Rock to admire the stunning view, and then to Hickory Nut Falls, which was equally as stunning. The park was so well maintained and everybody that worked there were happy to help with trail suggestions or directions. The village at the bottom of the drive leading into the park is also a treat. There are many restaurants to choose from and little shops to stop into.
- White Horse Black Mountain: I adored this bar, and to be honest, a big part of the reason I loved it so much was the owner. He was so kind and willing to answer any and all of my questions. Plus, White Horse has live music EVERY night. I was there on a Tuesday, which happened to be a free admission night. The live music started with an Irish Music jam sesh and then there was open mic night after. The crowd here was such a good mix of young and old, and everyone seemed to be enjoying it. I sat at the bar, but there were other seating choices, including couches and tables and chairs.
- Monte Vista Hotel: When I pulled into the parking lot of the Monte Vista, located in Black Mountain, North Carolina, I instantly knew that I would like staying there. The check in process was smooth, and I was walked directly to my room in the new wing of the hotel. The room was clean and gorgeous with dark wood floors and a huge bed as the main fixture. The room also featured a huge, walk in closet and a nice bathroom with a tub. After I returned to the hotel after exploring that evening, I had a glass of wine from the hotel bar, enjoying it on their front porch. It seemed that a lot of the hotel guests were enjoying the common areas of the hotel, which is a tribute to the welcoming atmosphere. The next morning I had the complimentary, continental breakfast in the dining room. It was laid out very nicely and featured baked goods, dry cereal, fruit, yogurt, coffee, milk and juice. All in all: a great place to spend the last night of my trip. ($145/night for a queen room)
Have you been to North Carolina? What was your favorite attraction you visited there?
If you would have told me before I started this blog that someday I’d be driving solo through the mountains en route to North Carolina, I would have called you a liar for two reasons. 1.) Growing up in Small Town, IL with only rural roads did not turn me into a strong highway driver. 2.) Even now, after completing the drive (there and back again), it still seems like a daunting task. Despite those facts, I still rented a car and made my way to Asheville, North Carolina on my own. It was a beautiful drive, and with no real setbacks (minus the time I took a ramp too fast, almost flipping the car
in the process). I had rented a zippy little Kia Rio for the trip and it performed beautifully. I arrived in Asheville at 6:45pm EST and checked into Sweet Peas Hostel. The hostel suited my needs perfectly as it was located right in center of the downtown area. They set me up for my two-night stay with clean towels and bed linens in my private room, complete with double bed, sink, chair and bedside table. Once I had washed my face and changed from my road trip shirt, I set 
out to explore. From what I saw, Asheville is chock-full of unique restaurants and bars, and cute/quirky shops. Every time I turned a corner, I was sure it would lead to a boring, office-lined street, but was surprised to see yet more shops and restaurants to gawk at. The sidewalks were dotted with buskers, and there was a lingering smell of Nag Champa and cigars. I stopped in The Southern for dinner and tried their “famous” Mac n Cheese, 
with a White Zombie Ale (Catawba Brewing Co.) to wash it down. I made it my personal mission to only drink local beers whilst I was in NC. The food was good enough to satiate my post long drive hunger and the beer was delicious. Soon I was back to wandering; there was a lot to take in. I stopped in to Lexington Avenue Brewery for a 1st Gear Ale (Lexington Avenue Brewery), which was also delicious. I loved the vibe in the brewery, mostly because the music went from The Temptations, to The White Stripes and then Pixies (all my favorites). I called it an early night in order to start early the next day. I woke up sans alarm, and showered in the shared 
bathroom, which was very tidy. I decided to grab breakfast at the highly recommended Early Girl Eatery. I was not disappointed. I had the biscuits and herb gravy with a side of THE BEST BACON I HAVE EVER TASTED. And I’m somewhat of a bacon connoisseur. After I finished every last bite, I drove to the Biltmore Estate (less than 10 minutes away from downtown). The sprawling landscape was accessible after purchasing a $60 day pass, which was a little steep for me, but acceptable due to the beauty of the driveway alone. I drove along the winding road to one of the many parking lots, and took a shuttle to the mansion. I had opted out of the audio tour, and followed the sweaty crowd through the gorgeous house.
The pamphlet that was doled out to me with my day pass went in the same order of the rooms, giving brief descriptions of each one. The tour circled around through 
an indoor garden, multiple dining rooms and salons, the library, the bedrooms and lounges upstairs, and the bowling alley, pool, kitchens and employee rooms in the basement. Once the inside tour was over, I took it upon myself to tour the gardens outside. I walked out onto the patio, which gave spectacular views of the mountains. All of the 
surrounding gardens had names, like “The Italian Garden”, “The Spring Garden”, “The Azalea Garden” and so on. I meandered through a few of them, enchanted most by the walled rose garden that gave way to the Conservatory. I shuttled back to the car and drove towards the Antler Hill Village, where the winery and my free wine tastings called to me. The 
brochures recommend spending two days exploring the property and I can absolutely see why. I passed outdoor activities on all sides as I drove, including kayaking, horseback riding and biking. I enjoyed my complimentary wine tastings (I tried the White Zinfandel and the Sauvignon Blanc), and browsed the stores in Antler Hill Village. Once I returned to the hostel, I grabbed my umbrella to protect me from the sudden downpour and set off again. I found myself at aSHEVille Museum, an interactive Feminist Manifesto. The
museum featured portraits and stories from women around the world and various exhibits revering women in their accomplishments and denouncing sexism in the name of equality. I enjoyed the museum and purchased a bracelet from the wonderfully friendly store keeper. From there, I walked over to the Battery Park Book Exchange, which is in the Grove Arcade. The Book Exchange is my new favorite bar, ever. It’s a two-tiered book store with a coffee and booze bar on the first floor. You can sip your drink and browse the shelves, and even 
add a book to your tab! The shelves are spread out upstairs and down with little hidden alcoves with table and chair sets to sit and read. The staff were nice enough to help me pick a dinner spot and recommend other local eateries for later. The restaurant they spoke the highest of was closed that day, so I wound up at Bouchon, a French Restaurant. I sat at the bar and ordered Moules Frites a la Paris-Born Redneck (cooked with PBR) with a Pisgah Pale 
Ale (Pisgah Brewing Co.). So far the Asheville brewed brews were really hitting the mark. It felt very Parisian, to be sitting at the bar, eating Moules Frites and watching the rain; brooding, because as it turns out, I don’t really enjoy mussels. I did, however, enjoy the bartender there, who was also from Illinois, and advised me where to hike the next day. I walked to 5 Walnut after dinner, drawn in by their live music. The Band, Siamese Jazz Club (with Caromio), was fantastic. I downed a Mother Trucker Pale Ale (Catawba 
Brewing Co.) and enjoyed the happy atmosphere at the bar. Everyone was jamming to the band and dancing alongside their tables. From there, I moved on to The Thirsty Monk for a night cap, where I met a nice couple, who I proceeded to give Asheville Tourism advice to. Drink enough of these local brews and you’ll start to act like one, I guess. Soon, I was taking my slightly tipsy butt to bed. The next morning, I went to the famed Tupelo Honey Café for breakfast al fresco. I had their Tupelo Breakfast Plate, sans eggs and plus a biscuit, and cheese grits and bacon. The food was excellent and the weather was perfect, which lent to a wonderful dining experience. I walked around downtown 
Asheville one last time before heading back to the car and driving to Chimney Rock State Park. It wasn’t a terribly long drive, but the drive up the mountain and to the State Park entrance was a doozy. The switchbacks in the road were something I’d never handled and I took them slowly. It’s usually $15 to enter the park, but that day there was a reduced fair due to the elevator to the top being out of service. That was my first clue that I was in for a lot of stairs. I parked by the gift shop and started the hike up to Chimney Rock, which is almost 100% stairs. There were many lookouts on the way up, but I had my eye on the prize. I made it to the top, panting and wheezing, and marveled at the beautiful view. It was almost a 360 degree view of the gorgeous landscape below. I sat up there for a while, sipping my water and trying to catch my breath. Once I was ready, I overheard talk of a waterfall, and decided to do that hike too. The Hickory Nut Falls trail was back down the stairs, and then down some more stairs for good measure. The trail to the waterfall was nice and shady, and not too long.
NC. Just past the town line is a rather ominous looking roadside market that sells produce, jellies and Bat Cave t-shirts, hats and magnets. I did a U-turn on the mountain road to stop there and buy my Batman-obsessed boyfriend a Bat Cave gift. The proprietor and employees there were happy to give me some fun facts about the area, including how there is an actual Bat Cave, which is now full of snakes. Like Indiana Jones, I hate snakes, so I thanked them for their time and high-tailed it out of there. I was back en route to the Monte Vista Hotel in Black Mountain, down Highway 9, when my cell phone service turned non-existent, effectively shutting down the GPS. The serpentine roads wound through abandoned hills; I hardly passed any cars or buildings. I had a moment of p
anic thinking that I was lost without contact in the wild of North Carolina, before continuing on and eventually regaining the previously taken for granted power of GPS. I made it to the hotel, and checked into a beautiful room in the new wing of the building. To be honest, I was just happy to have my own, private bathroom. I showered and exited the hotel to explore my new surroundings. Most of the stores around Black Mountain were already closed for the evening (at 5:30pm), 
but the ones that were open featured local crafts and kitschy mountain gifts. I went to the Trailhead for dinner and their special for the day: a fried chicken salad with Gouda cheese and local blackberries and heirloom tomatoes. It was unexpectedly yummy. After I settled the bill, I waltzed over to the Black Mountain Ale House for a Black Mountain IPA (Lookout Brewing Co.). The Trivia Night promised on the sign outside never began, so I moved 
on to the White Horse Black Mountain bar down the street. It featured live Irish Music from 6:30-8:30pm and Open Mic night after that. The proprietor, Bob, was such a gentleman and put up with me asking too many questions about local beers. With his help, I chose Noble Hard Cider first and Green Man ESB second, both were so good. He also took the time to explain what ESB stood for (Extra Special Bitter) and where it originated (Great Britain). I nursed my beers and enjoyed the music, 
before leaving the cozy yet cavernous bar and heading back to the hotel. I had a glass of wine on the Monte Vista porch and wrote a bit. The summer night was balmy, but the humidity had left with the sun and the current climate was perfect. I went inside to return my wine glass at the bar, and wound up talking to the General Manager, Tony, of the hotel for a while about hotel life, Chicago, North Carolina and travel in general. It was a great way to 
end the evening. The next morning I roused myself early to catch the continental breakfast of fruit, yogurt, cereal, coffee and juice. The dining room is equal parts rustic and modern with dark wood furniture, local art on the walls and vases of wildflowers on each table. Soon it was time to check out and head home to Chicago. With road construction all along the route home, I had plenty of time to reflect on the trip. It was my first solo road trip, and I am so happy I chose Asheville. It’s friendly inhabitants
and beautiful scenery made the long drive completely worth it. There were things I missed and would happy to make the trip for again. Thanks for the hospitality NC, you were perfect.
A fun, upbeat playlist is essential to any road trip! My trip is going to be around 10 hours from Chicago to Asheville, so I’m working on the ultimate mish mosh of tunes that I can sing along to. I’ve already started on my Road Trip playlist, but it needs a lot more work to try to fill that time slot. Also, because the drive is on the longer side, I’m also playing with the idea of getting a book on tape from the library to help pass the time (any suggestions??).
I know it will be hot in Asheville, and I’ve already started to put aside some hot weather clothes to pack. I also know I will bring too much, as per usual. But, that’s part of the beauty of a road trip: no checked baggage fees! Everything that I have set to bring on this trip already is hoarded on my desk at the moment. In a couple of days I’ll have to get it together and put everything into my suitcase and backpack to be ready to go. Because I am prone to forgetting things when I pack, I always make a checklist beforehand to limit the things left behind.
I have been doing some light research on the local attractions and dining options, but I need to figure out my must see/eat places. I don’t like to go in to a trip with a completely planned out itinerary, but I do like to make a small list of things I absolutely want to accomplish while I’m there. Currently at the top of my list are The Biltmore Estate, The Orange Peel, Chimney Rock, and exploring downtown Asheville. I like to use google maps to see which attractions are close to others so I can lump them in together in one day. I am working with three days to enjoy an amazing city with a lot of activities to choose from so a girl’s gotta have priorities.
While I am fairly confident in my driving abilities, and fully confident in my ability to take care of myself, there will always be ways to limit any travel safety risks. I am putting together an emergency kit for the car, which will include: first aid supplies, jumper cables, pepper spray, and an atlas in case Google maps fails me. I also am bringing along a door stop, a tip that I stole from the 
Over the next few days, I’ll (hopefully) have a good handle on all these things. I am so excited to be on my way, and I can’t wait to tell you all about Asheville when I get back.
We go to Maiden Lake in Wisconsin every year for Independence Day, it’s a family tradition (as per my previous Lakewood, WI post). This year, I drove up with my boyfriend straight from Chicago, which was a first. We left at 6:30am on Friday, stopping for coffee first and then we were on our way. It was an easy five hour jaunt up through Milwaukee, Green Bay and straight on to Lakewood. We arrived just before noon and got ready to go on the boat 
right away. It was a perfect day to go out on the lake, warm enough to make you want to jump in the water but with a perfect breeze. We cruised around for a bit and then stopped for cocktails and snacks, which were stored in the coolers. It was a perfect afternoon of lounging out on the water. After snacks, I was talked into trying to water-ski, which was a painful failure. If I didn’t get a mouthful of lake water getting pulled directly out 
of the skis, I was flying backwards with the skis pulling my legs out to the sides. I did manage to get up halfway on the skis once, but I got so excited that I flung my hands up in the air, effectively letting go of the rope. I called it quits after that and we headed back to the cabin to tie up the boat and get ready for dinner. There are a lot of great restaurants and supper clubs around Lakewood, but because of the holiday weekend and the size of our group, it’s usually easier to make dinner at home. The end result is always delicious, and enjoyed on the porch in good company. After dinner a few of us walked from the cabin to the Maiden Lake Supper Club to enjoy a drink al fresco on their deck by the lake. The Supper Club is a Maiden Lake institution and is really the only the restaurant that’s actually on the lake.
There is always a wait to enjoy their large portioned, comfort foods and seating in the bar and on the deck is always limited. Luckily, we were able to get a table and enjoy the sun setting over the lake. On our walk back, we admired the other cabins along the lake. Some were 
newly built, and some maintained their rustic charm. My favorite had a small red box on a post with the title Maiden Lake Library on it out front. Its front window displayed an array of books, with take one leave one written under the shelves. We came home to a giant bonfire behind the house primed and ready for s’mores making. It was a perfect ending to our first day at the lake. The next day was July 4th, and I woke up early to paddle-board before the bigger boats came out. It is the most peaceful thing to be out in the middle of the perfectly-still lake on the paddle-board. After I got my fill of inner peace, we started our Independence Day celebrations early with a huge breakfast. The best part of 
lake life is that everything revolves around when we can get out on the boat. While half of us cleaned up from breakfast, the rest of our group readied the boats to take them out for the day. We set shortly after, split between two boats. I tried to ski again, and this time I was finally successful! I got up for a while and was satisfied enough to quit while I was ahead. The boats met up to anchor and so we could swim and sip cocktails in the sunshine. When we docked for the day, my boyfriend and I went to the grocery store for burger fixins and then drove down the road to Sweet Memories, an amazing candy store in Lakewood. 
contestants did not disappoint. There were Minions, Pirates, Winnie the Pooh, and even Snow White and her seven buddies showed up for the occasion. The next holiday festivity was our annual trip to the best ice cream stop in the Midwest, Northern D’Lites. They have delicious soft serve in an ever changing cycle of flavors and all the usual suspects as far 
as frozen treats go. It’s a humble pick-up window surrounded by picnic tables, complete with friendly staff and a long line of customers. After our collective sweet tooth was satiated, we drove off to find parking for the fireworks show, which we watched in the back of my uncle’s pick-up truck. The fireworks display is always great, and this year it was the same. However, the 
next day, we were assured by one of the grocery store clerks at True Value that this year was a little lean because next year is the town’s centennial, which they will go all out for. Our last day at the Cabin, my boyfriend and I spent the morning Kayaking to one of the beautiful inlets on the south side of Maiden Lake. Our whole crew had one last spin around the lake in the speed boats and one last swim before we put away all of the boating gear, took the boats out of the water, and closed up the cabin. It’s always sad leaving, but hopefully we’ll be back sooner rather than later. On our way home, my boyfriend and I stopped at two vastly different but equally important Wisconsin landmarks. The first was Bagley Rapids in Mountain, WI and the second was Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha, WI. Bagley Rapids is a beautiful park and campground in the Nicolet National Forest.
We had to drive down a very narrow, dirt road to get to the parking lot, which was very small and perhaps the wrong parking lot. However, we finally made it down to the rapids, which we heard before they came into view. It was a gorgeous scene. We were able to take a walk along the side of the rapids before we had to get back to the car and continue on home. We drove for another three hours before reaching Kenosha, the location of the famous Mars Cheese Castle.
I’ve passed it many times without exiting the highway to visit, but this time we exited route 94 and pulled into the parking lot of the castle. It is a mecca of cheese, sausage and condiments. It is also one of the last stops on the highway to pick up some New Glarus beer, which is only available in Wisconsin and so delicious. I have to say, it was pretty expensive compared to other stops ($3 extra for a 6-pack of Spotted Cow). We purchased some cheese, sausage and beer regardless of the price and stopped in the restaurant for a bite to eat before finishing the drive to Chicago. We both had bratwursts, which were very good, but the service was slow and without a smile. The rest of the drive went smoothly, and soon we were home safe and sound. Before long, I was asleep, dreaming of being back at the lake.
entered the Visitor Center only to grab a map and hit the restrooms before we began our hike. Originally, we wanted to hike up to the Lodge first, to get some lunch and figure out which hikes we wanted to do. What actually happened was we wound up on the Wildcat Canyon overlook trail. The paths were muddy due to days of rain prior to our visit, and my Chuck Taylors proved to be a poor hiking footwear choice. Actually, my whole outfit was ill-suited to nature and now I know better. Please note that jean shorts are not a great choice for four hours of humid hiking through the forest. What can I say? I’m a city girl. Luckily, the scenery was so gorgeous that I soon forgot my wardrobe woes and was able to focus on the views. We reached the outlook and noticed there were people hanging out in the canyon below, basking in the sunlight and playing beneath the waterfall, with no indication of how they appeared there. I made it my personal mission 
for the day to be one of those people. The weather was perfect, and everything was so green and gorgeous. It was nice just to be outside. Eventually, we found a sign pointing us towards the Lodge. The area surrounding the lodge was crowded with hikers and overnighters, staying in either the Lodge Hotel or the cute little cabins in the same general area. The lodge itself was a stately and beautiful large, wooden structure. I instantly wanted to stay the night there. We decided to have lunch in the “Dining Room” instead of the small café in the lobby. The dining room was also very large, with an outdoor deck attached. It had a romantic feel with the dark wood, soft lighting, and large fireplace holding court in the back of the room. The lunch menu included comfort food entrees, salads and sandwiches. We both ordered the Illiniwek Chicken Sandwich. The waitress was not the friendliest person we’d met that day, but the
service was prompt and the food was delicious so we overlooked her surly demeanor. After lunch, I stopped at the front desk to inquire about vacancy and room rates. Unfortunately they were completely booked, but the good news is their prices are completely affordable with their standard rooms starting around $100 and their cabins starting at $125 (depending on the season). We vowed to come back and stay in a cabin in the near future. We hiked up to the park’s namesake, the actual Starved Rock, and the stairs up to the overlook were no joke. The view from the top was breathtaking (minus the huge dam that was visible on one side of the Illinois River). The path at the top of Starved Rock wound in a circle, through trees and wildflowers looking lush from the summer rain. We meandered back down the way we came, past other hikers huffing and puffing up the many, many stairs. From there we hiked up to the Lover’s Leap overlook, which offered an amazing view of Starved Rock and the river 
below. It was finally time to complete my mission of the day and find the way into the canyon that we had seen from the trail above. We found the path and made our way along the river to the canyon. We could hear its current visitor’s voices bouncing off the rock face in what could only be described as shouts of glee. When we finally reached Wildcat Canyon, it took some maneuvering to get over to the waterfall, through the water and mud. Once we were finally in the main clearing, I took my shoes off and stuck my feet in the water. It was cloudy with the sand beneath, but cold and refreshing. The waterfall was gorgeous; it flowed into a small pool teaming with happy little hikers. Though the area was crowded, there was a solidarity among the visitors in the canyon; everyone was admiring the view. It was hard to leave such a beautiful place, but it was about that time to head back to the visitors center. Overall, we hiked about five miles through the forest, up and down stairs, and on gorgeous overlook boardwalks. By the time we made it back to the car, I was exhausted, but already planning our next visit. Even with how much we had already explored, there were still so many other paths, overlooks and canyons to see. I’d imagine that not too much time will pass before I’m back for more.
rebeccawanderlusting 