Category: Nature

Sunday (09/01) we shopped for groceries in the early morning followed by attending Septemberfest in Schauburg. It’s one of our favorite fests because it’s huge. They have more craft booths than any other fest around, plus a huge tent with tables and chairs to enjoy your food out of the sun. And did I mention how many bathrooms are available, along with hand-washing stations? Whomever plans this fest does a phenomenal job!

We parked on the southeast side of the fest just a few blocks away, but they offer free shuttle buses from three different area schools so those are a great alternative if you’re arriving later in the day when all the neighborhood parking is gone.

First we perused the craft booths since it was early (10:30) and the food booths weren’t yet open (11 am is their opening time). Once we did make our way to the food area, we decided to try a Polish plate ($12) from KD Market.

It included polish sausage, sauerkraut, a cabbage roll, a pork pierogi & a potato pierogi with onions cooked in butter. Everything was delicious!

After the food we ended up near the stage where different school bands were performing and listened to them for awhile before checking out the pond on the premises where ducks and resident swans live.

We also got an elote “bowl” from the Melting Pot’s booth but it wasn’t a bowl, more like a very small Baskin Robbins sized cup and it wasn’t very good either. Will be avoiding that in the future!

By that point we had been there a good two hours which is a long time for us so we were tired. I would like to check out the BINGO tent next year, though.

Monday (09/02) we went to the Wood Dale Reservoir which is where our guided bird walk was supposed to be on Friday. Even though it was listed as being at Salt Creek Marsh in Itasca, they really met on the other end which is the reservoir in the adjacent town.

We saw a lot of aquatic birds, as well as the big metal ones (aka planes) since O’Hare isn’t far and apparently the reservoir is below one of their landing paths.

Afterwards we grabbed some breakfast from a local Mexican place which ironically we had gone to exactly a year ago to the day.

I also wanted to try a new drink from Dunkin (almond spice iced coffee), which was not good. I don’t know why I keep trying the iced coffees at Dunkin – they always disappoint. Joe got a Nutty Pumpkin hot coffee and that was good, so I guess we should stick to the hot coffees there.

After breakfast Joe decided to wash our cars while I cleaned up the front door area, switched out the seasonal decor out front, then did some gardening out back.

This is the cute sunflower metal garden stake I found recently at Dollar Tree.

I bought a few so I can put them in back in mid-September.

We were both pretty tired after all that so we made hot dogs for lunch and relaxed the rest of the day.

Saturday (08/17) between rain showers we went to the Taste of Glen Ellyn which was held at the College of DuPage. It was quite hot and humid and there weren’t any places to sit in the shade at all which was quite a turnoff. We quickly ate some delicious tacos from a place called My Cocina Mexican Grill and followed them up with a giant overstuffed Oreo cookie from Dirty Dough (what a name!) while listening to live music.

After not being able to take the heat anymore, we walked around the carnival section for a bit and almost got a corndog from one of the food trucks, but I noticed the only mustard they offered was in a bottle, so decided against it. What were we expected to do, stand there next to truck eating and getting into everyone’s way? Why wouldn’t they offer packets of mustard to take with you? So weird.

Since the arboretum is a short drive away from the college we decided to head over there for a bit. I hadn’t brought my camera, so it was just a relaxing drive around the grounds before heading home.

Sunday (08/18) we went on a guided bird walk at LeRoy Oakes forest preserve in St. Charles.

Despite the threat of rain, it held off until later that morning. The overcast skies and breeze felt nice during our walk, and I was thankful I wore my hiking boots because some of the trails were mowed grass that was still wet from the rain the night before.

I didn’t bring my camera along because a) I knew we wouldn’t see any migrating birds this time of year (and we didn’t), and b) I didn’t want to risk it getting wet. I did have binoculars, though. It was a fun and educating experience. Our guide, Josh, was super knowledgeable and upbeat, and we really enjoyed ourselves.

We plan to join future bird walks hosted by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County since they offer them on the weekends, unlike DuPage County who recently changed all their bird walks to Friday mornings when Joe is at work. Kane County doesn’t charge for their walks either, although I really don’t mind paying DuPage $5 per person as that’s really nothing and I like to think the money goes to improving the forest preserves we spend so much time in. I just wish they would have their walks on the weekends like they offered last year.

Saturday (08/10) morning we visited Bartlett Nature Center, where we learned they have bird feeders that can be viewed from inside the building, which will be nice in the winter when we’re bored.

We saw this cutie pie turtle inside the nature center.

We also got to feel different animal pelts which were both creepy and cool.

We took a walk around the attached James Pate Philip State Park before heading to another nearby forest preserve – Pratt’s Wayne Woods. There we re-discovered an area at the far end of the parking lot off Powis Rd where there’s a few sloughs connected by a path. It feels like a great place to do some birding during fall migration, so we’ll be heading back there soon.

After the nature stuff we headed over to Woodman’s where they were celebrating their anniversary and giving away free stuff.

We got two cans of C4 energy drink, one of which tastes just like a pink Starburst, which was good. I didn’t drink much though as I’m sensitive to caffeine – too much makes me jittery. We also got free Dunkaroos which I’ve never eaten before. They were ok, but nothing I’d buy myself.

The main reason we went, however, was the promise of free tacos. Turns out that was only from 1-3 pm which was not noted in their ad. It was noon and we weren’t about to sit around an hour for free tacos, so we left. We thought about getting food elsewhere, but got annoyed with everyone’s prices and went home to eat instead.

Later that evening we did get some Popeyes though, thanks to a deal through T-Mobile Tuesday. I have to say, without any sauce on them the boneless wings taste almost exactly like the chicken planks from Long John Silvers. I love those things and grew up eating them but since there’s no LJS near here anymore I haven’t eaten any in years. Popeyes might just become a semi-regular stop for that alone. I wasn’t keen on their mac and cheese, however.

Sunday (08/11) we visited Morton Arboretum. It was dog admission day, which was nice but also sad. We met a cute terrier mix named Jenny and spent time driving and walking the grounds. Nothing beats the smell of fresh air and trees, and the weather was perfect.

On our way home we stopped at Trader Joe’s where I excitedly spotted some strawberry rhubarb hand pies. Spoiler alert – they tasted awful.

We also stopped at Aldi and noticed our vet has their sign up at their future location (which is right behind the Aldi). I hope that means they will be moving soon, preferably before we get a dog. I would prefer not to have to step foot in the old building again since that’s where we took Wookie on her last day.