Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Starved Rock State Park

Today, we went to Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois.  Admission was free, and parking was free...the best deals we were to see all week!  ;o)


We learned a lot about the area and the people who inhabited it and explored it.


The Illinois Indians


The Illinois people called themselves Inoca.  French explorers and missionaries generally referred to them as Illinois, but also used the terms Iliniouek and Ilinoués.  The terms Illini and Illiniwek also have been used to refer to the Illinois, although it is unclear as to their origin.

The Illinois Nation consisted of as many as twelve independent Native American tribes.  These tribes spoke a common language, had similar ways of life, and shared a large territory in the Mississippi River Valley.  The most well-known of the Illinois Nation were the Kaskaskia, Cahokia, Peoria, Tamaroa, and Michigamea tribes.


Men were the primary hunters and warriors, while the women tended to the fields and the home.  Both worked to manufacture objects for trade.


February was the accepted time of year for war and raiding parties.  These were generally small, led by a war leader, and followed strict rules.  Taking captives was considered more honorable than killing the enemy.  Slaves were apparently common, and captured men and women often were adopted into families to replace lost members.


During the summer, the Illinois stayed near their crops and gardens.  Their summer dwellings were longhouses, occupied by five to ten families each.  After the harvest and storage of their crops, the Illinois traveled to hunting villages located farther south and west, where the climate was milder and the game was more plentiful.  During this time of year, they resided in wigwams, occupied by one or two families each.

Wigwam

The Illinois' homes were formed from a framework of two parallel rows of saplings bent together and lashed at the top to form a series of arches.  They were roofed and floored with mats made of rushes.

Inside of wigwam

Inside were cooking fires and storage pits.

Fort St. Louis

Fort St. Louis was built on Starved Rock in 1682.  The fort was named after the then king of France, Louis XIV.

Model of fort, constructed by the
Illinois Math and Science Academy

The Legend of Starved Rock

This is the story of Starved Rock...and how it got its name:

In 1769, an Illinois Indian killed Pontiac, the great chief of the Ottawa.  The Ottawa, with the help of several tribes, sought revenge on the Illinois.  The Ottawa and their allies significantly outnumbered the Illini, so it was not long before the battle reduced the number of Illini to a mere remnant of this once-flourishing tribe.  From this point of the story on, factual events are difficult to confirm.

Legend states that the surviving Illini fled to the protection of Starved Rock.  Trapped on the Rock, the Illini fought back their enemies numerous times.  According to legend, the proud Illini warriors preferred to starve upon the rocky fortress rather than surrender to the enemy. Eventually, a group of the allied enemies ascended the Rock and finished off the last of the hunger-weakened Illini.

A few days later, traders en route to Canada stopped to see why flocks of buzzards were circling the huge rock.  Upon reaching the summit, the traders were sickened with the spectacle of the carnage.  They left and took with them the fantastic Legend of Starved Rock.


Explorations


France appointed Louis Jolliet, a fur trader, and Father Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit missionary, to conduct an expedition to the Mississippi River.

Father Jacques Marquette

On their northward journey home, they ascended the modern-day Illinois River.  The explorers stopped at the village of one of the tribes of the Illinois, the Kaskaskias.

The Kaskaskia village was located on the north bank of the Illinois River about a mile east, upriver from Starved Rock.  Marquette's record of this village is the first mention in history of a site closely allied to the story of Starved Rock.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Navy Pier

We went to Chicago today.  The city is HUGE...and amazing!


Specifically, we went to Navy Pier...and enjoyed discovering the many things it has to offer.



There were many shops...


and a mall area....


There were several rides:

The Carousel





The Swing


Brave boy!

Lift-off...!

Still smiling!  :)

The Ferris Wheel




We did not ride the Ferris Wheel!

We cooled off in The Crystal Gardens.




Checking out the nifty fountains!

We relaxed at the end of the pier.



The views were wonderful!!




Sunday, July 29, 2012

Washington Square

This afternoon, we visited Washington Square in the nearby town of Ottawa.

On August 21, 1858, the first of seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and United States Senator Stephen A. Douglas took place in this park.


site of the first Lincoln and Douglas debate

Approximately 10,000 people gathered to hear the two candidates discuss the question of slavery in America.  Lincoln lost the election for a seat in the United States Senate.

Two years later, however, Lincoln and Douglas were rivals again in the presidential race.  Lincoln won a majority in the electoral college with a minority of the popular vote and became our 16th President.


Lincoln-Douglas Debate Memorial Plaza

close-up of the statues

LaSalle County
Civil War Soldiers Monument

a tired boy

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Illinois-Bound

T and I drove to Kentucky yesterday.  We spent the night with my BFF and her family.  My friend and I met in college...and that was a long time ago!  I somehow managed to let 10 years slip by without seeing her...but once we were together, it was like we'd just seen each other yesterday.  That's how it is with a BFF!  :)

Today, the three of us drove to Illinois for a week-long vacation!  Fun!!


We stopped at this rest area, the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis, in Illinois.  I have never seen the like.


We are staying at the Fox River Resort...in a beautiful area, but it will take us almost an hour and a half to drive into Chicago.  I think that tomorrow I will have to rest from two days of driving...and leave the big city of Chicago for the following day!


This is my friend's bedroom and kitchen.



This is our bedroom and the main kitchen.




Check out our Jacuzzi!  :)


Monday, July 16, 2012

Yo Gabba Gabba Party

After T's papa got home from work, we had our own little threesome party.  First, we went out for pizza...another of T's favorite foods.  Then...the real party started!  ;o)

Presents!


T opened his card.


T opened a present.


He really liked it.  :)


Cake!


We lit the 12 candles on T's cake.  We almost could roast marshmallows over that small bonfire!


T was so serious while we sang "Happy Birthday" to him.


As soon as we finished singing...almost before!...he blew out his candles.  He was ready!!


It was lots of fun for all of us.  :)


The cake toppers are puppets I printed, cut out, laminated, and taped to balloon sticks.  The other cake decorations are the same, just "attached" to the cake with icing.

Birthday Breakfast

Today is T's birthday!  My boy is growing up.  He is 12 years old today.  :)


I fixed this special breakfast for him...his favorite:  pancakes.  (To clarify, I mean "fixed" as in frozen pancakes...not pancakes made from scratch and cooked in the frying pan!  ha.)


  • ice cream cone - 2 mini pancakes and a waffle cut into a "cone" shape
  • banana split - a banana sliced in half and 4 mini pancakes with "toppings" of chocolate syrup, vanilla glaze, and strawberry syrup...with half of a maraschino cherry on top
  • 12 - bread cut with number cutters

T didn't want toppings on his ice cream; he said "off."  So...I wiped them off.  He likes his pancakes and waffles plain...i.e., no maple syrup.


Happy Birthday, T!!