Matthiessen State Park is another of my favorite places to visit any time of the year.  And while most people would probably prefer the summer months, my favorite time of year to visit is actually in the dead of winter–especially after a big snow.  The prize is definitely the waterfall at the end of the trail which freezes solid and is absolutely beautiful. The hike down into the canyon and to the waterfall takes about an hour but it’s a great excuse to get off the couch and outside for some exercise and fresh air. It’s about a 2 1/2 hour drive from our house so we make a whole day of it.  The small town of Utica is also home to my favorite Illinois winery, August Hill, so a stop there is mandatory to stock up on their Berlyn, a great semi dry red that is good either chilled in the summer or at room temp by a roaring fire in the winter.  We also enjoy lunch at Duffy’s Tavern in Utica-great food and very reasonable.  Nearby is the more popular Starved Rock State Park and if you plan a trip in January you can catch Bald Eagle weekend at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center. Literally hundreds of bald eagles flock the area each year to feed off of the fish at the lock and dam. If cold weather is not your thing; no worries, there is much to do here no matter the season.

 

 

Yes…..those are all bald eages in the tree!!!