Starved Rock Hike - January 2012
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HOI Sierra Club members visited Starved Rock State Park on a beautiful bright and windy winter day. We first visited the area of the proposed sand mine just east of the park, which is located below the bluff immediately adjacent to the Illinois River. We then visited Illinois, Kaskaskia, and Ottawa Canyons on the east side of the park, and last, hiked to the top of Starved Rock for some eagle viewing. The day was capped by a great dinner at the Uptown Grill in Peru.

Skate Chicago - February 2011
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HOI Sierra Club members had a great day skating in Chicago. On the way to Chicago we stopped at the Army Corps Visitors Center across the Illinois River from Starved Rock State Park, and quickly counted over 50 bald eagles perched in the trees! In Chicago, we skated on synthetic ice on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Observatory, and later on the real thing at the Millenium Park Ice Skating Rink. Thanks to Wendy Marquis for organizing such a great outing!

St. Mary's Cemetery Prairie Tour - July 2010
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Thanks to David Pittman and his wife, Teresa, for the tour of the hillside prairies at St. Mary's Cemetery in West Peoria.

Singing Woods Hike - May 2010
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Singing Woods, owned by the Peoria Park District, is nearly 1,000 acres of wooded Illinois River bluff, including several hill prairie restoration areas. Thanks to Mike Ingram for being our tour guide on a perfect spring day.

Hennepin Canal Hike - April 2010
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Six Heart of Illinois Sierra Club members enjoyed a beautiful spring day on the Hennepin Canal bike trail. We hiked an eastern portion of the trail, starting from the parking lot just off IL. Route 29 at Bureau Junction. Wildlife was abundant, highlighted by a large flock of pelicans circling overhead. After hiking about 6 miles we drove to Wyanet for lunch. After lunch we drove to the historic lift bridge at mile 17.4 on the canal for more hiking. Thanks to our outings leader Wendy Marquis for organizing such a fun day!