Champaign County, IL

I've already been asked why I would spend a week in Penfield, Illinois. The reason -- it was enroute from Eureka Springs to Lake Michigan, and it was lovely greenspace within a day's drive.

​The Middle Fork River Forest Preserve has over 1700 acres of forest, meadows and prairie, 4 miles of the Middle Fork River, 3 ponds, and a diversity of birds to be seen and heard. Native Americans and European Americans settled in this area but in 1869, a group of German immigrants brought drainage techniques that made the land farmable. 

It was a lovely week for me to regroup. I cycled the farm country just outside the gate for many miles. I walked the trails on property. I met interesting people from West Virginia. I caught up on reading and hours of sleep. When I left Penfield, I was ready for the travel ahead. 

NOTE: The Preserve abusively used Roundup, and yes, I am writing an email to headquarters next!