We had a lovely extended weekend even if it didn’t start out the greatest.
Joe took Friday (09/25) off and we decided to go out for breakfast which is a rare occurrence. We headed to Egg Harbor in Geneva where I had the most disappointing eggs benedict in my life which really sucks because it’s been years since having it and I had been craving it for quite awhile. Everything was so bland. Are they not familiar with seasoning? The canadian bacon was too think and didn’t taste grilled even though it bared some faint marks indicating otherwise, the English muffin was fluffy and tasted almost uncooked, and even the béchamel sauce which is full of butter and should taste rich was just meh. Even the side of potatoes, while good, were only so because they tasted like little square french fries. Not only did they turn me off to eggs benedict, but they made me angry that our bill was over $40 for such a lackluster meal. Joe even noted the sausage in his biscuits and gravy wasn’t very flavorful. Maybe their clientele likes bland food but I do not and don’t plan on going back there. I wish we had gone to Red Apple or Egglectic cafe instead.
We hit up a couple of parks in St. Charles without much success. It was so overcast that a new one we wanted to visit, Morris Park, would have been too dark with the thick canopy of trees. We ended up hearing back west to the shopping area in Geneva to look around at a hobby shop and Kohl’s. I could not believe there was Christmas decor in Kohl’s already. FFS it’s not even October! First Thanksgiving was ignored, and now Christmas is encroaching on Halloween. It’s pure lunacy at this point that a single holiday gets so much attention. I hate it more and more every year.
After my hunt for a forest green hoodie turned up nothing, we went to Peck Farm Park.
The views were nice but no birds were to be seen. By that point we were hungry again and considered trying a place called Currito but after the $42 breakfast bill I wasn’t liking the idea of dropping another $30 pm lunch. I decided I’d make my own chicken burrito bowls at home and tried a recipe for the black beans. They came out delicious! They were so good, in fact, that the following day I went full vegetarian with my bowl.
We finished up our day with an evening showing of the latest Scary Movie from the library. Was it great? No. But it was funny and interesting enough to keep me from browsing my phone so that’s a win in my book.
Saturday (09/26) we went to Elsen’s Hill in West DuPage Woods where we hit the warbler jackpot. Which to mean I saw more than one in passing. Yep, that’s what amounts to a jackpot lately when it comes to these quiet little birds that won’t stop moving. The grass was very damp and despite never having an issue in the past, the sock on my left foot got very wet. I thought my hiking boots were water proof so I was surprised by this.
Afterwards we stopped at Tropical Smoothie Cafe. I have notifications turned off on my phone so thankfully I had seen a reel the other day about their members weekend where you get a free smoothie with the purchase of a bowl or breakfast item. Joe had no issues with the app, but mine was not letting me complete my order. First the “Apple Pay” button wouldn’t respond when tapped, then after putting in my credit card info and clicking “Place Order” it just kept saying processing over and over but never submitted it.
We ended up going inside where I explained the issue to the very friendly and helpful employee. She rang my order up in a way that my total was less than it was in the app because she selected a combo but still applied the free smoothie discount (which I could not recreate when I tested it in the app the following day). I was so grateful, I gave her a tip. I usually don’t for pickup orders because I think it’s ridiculous to tip for counter service. Furthermore, how is a tip appropriate prior to receiving service? Shouldn’t I determine if a tip is warranted based on the service I’ve received? Call me crazy!
Anyway, we took our breakfast home and headed back out after eating. We stopped at the library to pick up a hold and browse the new movies before heading to the Itasca bird sanctuary. Was able to get a warbler there, but other than that it wasn’t terribly exciting.
As we were leaving a guy in the parking lot stopped us to chat. He and a few others were using the parking lot as a staging area for their clients attending the big golf event that the idiot in charge was part of this weekend. I could tell with his little remarks that he’s racist and I really didn’t want to talk to him so after a bit I told him we needed to go. Even without the racists undertones I really hate it when people monopolize a conversation. I didn’t ask you to brag to me about how much you’ve traveled and this that and the other. It’s funny because I do find people interesting, but they tend to turn me off with their narcissistic tendencies. We all like to talk about ourselves but at least I make a point to ask people questions and encourage them to talk too, damnit!
We headed to Springbrook Nature Center next where they were working on a picnic shelter so we had to park in the neighboring water park lot to access the trails. Some dumb lady proceeded to nearly back over us while pulling out of a spot because looking behind you when you put a car in reverse is apparently a foreign concept to some people.
We didn’t spot any warblers, but we did hear a Red-shouldered hawk which we initially pegged as the resident one until we distinctly heard two them calling in opposite directions. We tracked the wild one down to a very tall tree and got a photo before it flew away. I guess they were chatting.
On the way home we stopped at the Salvation Army store to scope it out. It doesn’t have much beyond clothing, and their selection pales in comparison to Savers, but they have dressing rooms which is nice. I am still mad at Savers for removing theirs. I got so many great clothes there but other than stuff I can try on the aisles I’m not about to take a chance on stuff when I always miscalculate whether something is going to fit or look good on me. They don’t offer refunds – only exchanges within 7 days of purchase. That doesn’t work for me.
In any case, I also wanted to verify if they really do take computer monitors like the website indicated but there was only one person working inside, so we drove around to the donation drop-off area where I asked them and they said no. Glad I checked. I hate that you have to pay to offload these things. I did email the Salvation Army, though, because I checked their site and they do list computer monitors as items they accept so I don’t know why they can’t take them at the store. Maybe you have to schedule a pickup? Seems wasteful to make them come get it, but I will do that if necessary (and will likely have to since no one bothered to ever answer my email).
We ran back out later in the evening to a nearby park but didn’t see much wildlife other than goldfinches which seem to be all over the place lately.
We ended our night with a movie – this time it was Toy Story 5 which, as I anticipated, made me cry. Those Pixar movies get me every time!
Sunday (09/27) we woke up to the thickest fog we’ve seen in a long time. I made us some breakfast burritos and we contemplated whether it was worth going out warbler hunting in the fog.
We ultimately decided it was and found ourselves at Hidden Lake where I immediately saw two warblers in a tree by the parking lot but was unable to get a photo of either. Migration is such a frustrating time of year! I get so excited but also very frustrated.
The fog was really thick so I was able to get some interesting photos and videos before it dissipated.
Then we found ourselves at the arboretum even though we hadn’t intended to visit this weekend.
Afterwards we headed over to Lisle Community Park for Barkapalooza. It always amazes me how they get enough interest in the event when there are no posted signs on the street near the park. You wouldn’t even know an event was going on since it sits way back from the street.
We parked by the school and walked over to the event area checking out the different booths and food trucks. I also found the sponsor’s baked goods tent but was disappointed they didn’t have any rice crispy treats this year. They spoiled me in 2024 with how delicious they were. Please tell me why, however, the lady helping us felt the need to tell me she doesn’t care for them. Did I ask? People are so weird and full of themselves. We grabbed some banana bread, a brookie, and a bag of treats called puppy chow. That was the best of the three as the baked items were dry.
We were hungry but not feeling it with the food at the event, so after the doggie costume contest we went to Minnie Bird to pick up some food. We took it to Herrick Lake and ate in the car. Then we drove over to Lincoln Marsh in pursuit of warblers. I saw some, but capturing them was another story. I did add another bird to my life list, however – the Yellow-billed Cuckoo.
We watched a horror movie in the evening called Passenger which had some really good jump scares. I’m so happy my nervous system issues from last year have mostly disappeared and I can watch stuff without having a weird reaction. Last Halloween season we didn’t watch any scary movies because I could not handle it.