Castle Rock and Lowden State Parks

Kathryn took her monthly Friday day off on April 26th. We headed (with Cutter) about 60 miles due West on hwy 64 to a couple of Illinois State Parks near the town of Oregon, Illinois. Weather was great for some hiking.

We did three short hikes in Castle Rock SP. Then had a picnic lunch. After lunch we headed to nearby Lowden State Park. There was only one trail there and a huge statue. The trail was nice along the Rock river, a very steep hike to get down to the river, then about 120 steps to get back up top.

The Statue: [from wikipedia] The Eternal Indian, sometimes called the Black Hawk Statue, is a 48-foot (14.6 m) sculpture by Lorado Taft located in Lowden State Park, near the city of Oregon, Illinois. Dedicated in 1911, the statue is perched over the Rock River on a 77-foot (23.5 m) bluff overlooking the city. The statue, according to the artist, represents the unconquerable spirit of Native Americans, using motifs from several tribal cultures. While not a portrait statue, it was in part inspired by the life of Black Hawk (1767–1838), a leader and warrior of the Sauk. In 2009, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Another great day of hiking! (Cutter agrees)

Caslte Rock SP

Lowden SP