| Marseilles, Illinois, lies off of Interstate 80 just about in | | | | visited areas of the park, near the river, were under |
| the center of the state. Near there are Starved Rock, | | | | water. Other areas of the park were open, though |
| Buffalo Rock, and Matthiessen State Parks. There are | | | | parts of the trail were nearly impassable: too muddy. |
| many scenic treasures are in the area. From Lockport | | | | The park is so name because of the bluff overlooking |
| to LaSalle runs the I & M Canal (Illinois and Michigan | | | | the river, where a tribe of Indians took refuge during |
| Canal). This was built in the nineteenth century to help | | | | one of the tribal wars. No one came out alive. |
| the farmers deliver their wares from the fledgling | | | | Two lesser known treasures are Buffalo Rock State |
| metropolis of Chicago to the Mississippi River region | | | | Park and Matthiessen State Park. The former |
| and visa versa. The canal ceased being useful when | | | | overlooks the Northern shore of the Illinois River, |
| the locks were built on the Illinois River and its | | | | across from Starved Rock. On the bluff are effigy |
| tributaries. The path is now a bicycling and hiking trail, | | | | mounds built hundreds of years ago. They are in the |
| well marked and passing through the river towns of | | | | forms of a water spider, a frog, and a catfish. They |
| Lockport, Romeoville, Morris, Seneca, Ottawa, La Salle, | | | | were very impressive in size, over 100 feet long and |
| etc. Each burb has its own history and story to tell. | | | | 30 feet high. The real fauna were interesting too: red |
| Take the trail in small segments. It is easier on the | | | | tailed hawks looking for lunch and redwing blackbirds |
| body. | | | | attacking the hawk when it strayed too close to the |
| Starved Rock State Park is the most famous of the | | | | nest (no sense of humor). Matthiessen State Park |
| parks in the area. It is noted for its many hiking trails | | | | was also interesting. It is just a mile south of Starved |
| which lead to waterfall cascading limestone canyons. | | | | Rock. Situated along the Vermilion River, this park |
| During the summer months these falls are merely | | | | boasts interesting dells and small falls. |
| trickles, but in the spring, they flow freely. The generally | | | | |