Okay, we have a tentative camping trip planned for this fall at Starved Rock for late October (or November) but I need to know who is interested and what dates work. I'm gone the first weekend in Nov. since I'll be attending SEMA. This could be a FUN, FUN weekend for many. Colin and I are the two starting this idea this point. Any others who might be interested (esp. those who have been to Starved Rock before)??? If you have tips on this park, please post here in advance.

Thanks! Let's try to put something together!

Shoot for October sometime - possibly (preferably late). I love jeans and sweatshirts weather.

Shoot for October sometime - possibly (preferably late). I love jeans and sweatshirts weather.

UPDATE: 8/3/06: Starved Rock's Campground will be closed during Shotgun Deer Hunting Seasons (November 17-19 and November 30 - Dec. 3)

Fine. Let's do it before then. I already miss most of you, so let's say October. :)

We (Robyn and I) can try to make an appearance, but weekends of 10/14 and 10/21 are already committed for us.

Hey - This sounds like fun !! I just arrived in Illinois and am already wanting to get out camping somewhere . . . count me in. :)

Wow, wish I could join you! Starved Rock is back in my hometown's general area. Fall should be a great time to visit. Also nearby: Buffalo Rock and Mathiesen (sp?) State Park.

My sis told me there is/was a fantastic Cajun restaurant nearby. I hedge (is/was) because a tornado ripped through the Utica area and I don't know what's left of it.

Speaking of food, the best pizza (Chicago-caliber) is some miles away but worth the drive. Lou's LaGrotto, Rte 6, west side of LaSalle-Peru. Supposing you downstaters take I-39, it wouldn't really even be far out of your way.

I'll watch this thread and see what dates you all settle on. I'd be willing to make this drive of 20 hours, give or take, depending on how many times I stop to let the dog pee.

I could make one stay over near Clevleand or western Ohio.
Closer to November is tough time to get off from work.

I'll check the thread.
jurn

I'll definitly make it by. It's about 1 1/2 hour trip. (Actually knew a woman who made this trip as a commute for about three years:shock: ). Not so sure on the camping idea.

Here's a couple links about camping in the park:
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/I&M/EAST/STARVE/Camp_updated.htm
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/I&M/EAST/STARVE/str_camprsvp.pdf

I think it's a dry park... I'm shopping around.

I think it's a dry park... I'm shopping around.
You mean "dry" as in "Alcohol always prohibited in the campgrounds " ?

Hey All,

Diane and I would like to be included in this trip if the dates are right for us.

As far as Starved Rock is concerned, I live relatively close and have been hiking there many times, even in the winter a couple of times and its always beautiful. Its really most beautiful in the fall. Miles of hiking trails overlooking the river. However probably not the best place for the EOC to camp. Kinda like "Its a nice place to visit but i wouldn't want to camp there!"

So as an alternative to camping in the park, I'd like to suggest this place:
Mallard Bend Campground.

http://www.mallardbend.com/

Its a Mom & Pop place about 30 mins northeast of Utica (Staved Rock) and its right on the Fox River near Sandwich, IL.

I've stayed there several times with kids and just as an adult couple. Its very green, private, and unspoiled because its private and well kept.
The campsites range from RV pads w/ water & elec. to secluded wooded nooks just big enough for a car and tent.

There are even a couple of big (group) sites right on the river.

There is fishing on the river and Canoe day trips are not far.

Also Starved Rock is about a 30 minute Element Caravan away :smile:
That's my vote.:-P

Check it out!

- Bill

Any word on this E camping trip?:-?

It's still in the planning stages, Adam. I'd still like to plan a weekend at Pere Marquette too, which is (of course) closer to you.

This place LEmental recommended sounds pretty good.:)

This sounds like fun...you can most likely count me. It's not far from Chambana and my schedule is very flexible.

Woohoo first post!

...sounds good. The wife didn't look thrilled about camping when it's not 90° but oh well!

the in-law's to be are from Marseilles, which is about 10-12 miles east of Starved Rock.

the Mr2 crew had a meet there not too long ago

Pics (http://blue-sun.net/MR2/StarvedRock/StarvedRock.html)

(Mines the bright red one with yellow foglights on the right)

if we happen to be at her parents/sisters that weekend, I might swing by for a few hours. . .

I'd come down from Wisconsin if it was one of the last two weekends in October.

I just perused the Mallard Bend events schedule and found that their last weekend open is
Oct. 13-15. :-( If we want to go there maybe we should shoot for that weekend. :)

I just perused the Mallard Bend events schedule and found that their last weekend open is
Oct. 13-15. :-( If we want to go there maybe we should shoot for that weekend. :)
That would make sense, as the average high and low temp for Oct. 13 is 64 / 41 and starts dropping pretty quickly after that. Oh boy, a EOC meet in Hot as Blazes in St. Louis in mid July and another in a cold rain in late Oct. Let's go camping!:lol:

We stayed at the Starved Rock Lodge a long time ago in a former life. It's really nice and has a rustic CCC-built lobby.
http://www.starvedrocklodge.com/

Matthiessen State Park nearby has some good hiking trails.
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R1/mttindex.htm

We stayed at the Starved Rock Lodge a long time ago in a former life. It's really nice and has a rustic CCC-built lobby.
You're right TTT, The Starved Rock Lodge is still very beautiful. This past New Years, Diane and I stayed at the Lodge and had an incredible weekend. The lodge is a nice historic place to visit as is the entire park. Staying at the lodge would however be a problem because its expensive and usually completely booked up in the fall and basically "Not Camping" :wink:

I was thinking we could have an element caravan to Starved Rock from the campground I suggested. The lodge also has a nice (not too expensive) restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The hiking trails are fabulous with waterfalls and scenic riverside and cliff-top overlooks. The foliage should probably be starting to turn by then and it should be quite beautiful.

It'll depend on what my work travel schedule ends up being, but I'd be interested in the trip!

I am so ready!

I am so ready!

Hey Adamlstl, there's an awful lot of flapping noises and whirling wind sounds :twisted: unless you pack down and fold up the cabana befor hitting the road
:-D :-D :-D
j.

Hey Adamlstl, there's an awful lot of flapping noises and whirling wind sounds :twisted: unless you pack down and fold up the cabana befor hitting the road
:-D :-D :-D
j.
THANX for the heads up! I was wondering what all the racket was!?!?!:D
Guess I'll have to take it off my E now.....:rolleyes:

Just wondering if this is going to happen?

If it doesn't anyone and everyone is welcome to come over to your neighbor to the right and come to our Indy meet. :D

If we get more than 10 we're thinking of making part of the meet at Turkey Run for camping fun.

So....uumm, do we have the final details on this here trip? I wouldn't mind coming down from Michigan, but that'd be a 5-7 hour drive, so if this is going to happen, the sooner we know, the better for all. If it is a go, I'll try to make it.

Oh, and how's the mountain biking in the area?

xequar - We're having a meet in Indy on Oct. 21st....you're welcome to come to it. Here is the thread....peace!
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27441