Des Plaines River Trail biking

Another glorious summer day! We headed over to Independence Grove, the crown jewel of the Lake County Forest Preserve District, an old gravel quarry (3,500 feet across and 75 feet deep) purchased in 1978 by the preserves, and then recycled and reclaimed. The Preserve opened to the public in spring 2001 and has become on of Lake County's most popular recreation destinations. To create the 115 acre lake, the quarry was mined of any remaining resources with mining royalties paying for the reclamation. Later, millions of cubic yards of clean fill were brought in to create about 60 acres of land. Since the walls of the old quarry were straight and steep, shelves were made along the edge to create a safer shoreline, provide wildlife habitat, and deter erosion. Thousands of trees and shrubs were planted. Also, a habitat for fish was created from the previously sterile lake that had had no vegetation. Trees, fish cribs, and concrete pipes were placed along the lake bottom before the water was allowed to rise. Here is part of the resulting facility:



The DPR Trail extends from Wisconsin to the western edge of Chicago, over 30 miles. Here Ellen tops the rise from the St. Mary's Road underpass.



Lunch was at Jimmy John's. Their decorating motif includes various signs, and this one perfectly sums up retirement (click to enlarge):



This stately great blue heron welcomed us as we came around a bend in the trail...



We've biked 85 miles the last 3 days, so it's off to a nap now!