Saturday morning, we got up bright and early and headed back to Starved Rock State Park. This time, we went to a different part of the park to see the spectacular canyons on the other side from where we were before. There weren't as many people there as we saw before, but still quite a few. Wouldn't you know it, there was a wedding there again, too! Dad laughed about that, because we can't remember the last weekend we went out and didn't see a wedding. I can't say that I blamed whoever was tying the knot of matrimony, though, because it sure is a beautiful place.
We went to the canyons this time because they are harder to hike. This was all part of Mom and Dad's nefarious plot against Morgan. You see, in our village, the trick or treat hours were set for Saturday night and Mom and Dad put a lot of faith in the saying that "a tired Shepherd is a good Shepherd." So, the plan was to give us a good work out so that Morgan wouldn't make some little kid pee their pants on our front porch.
Finally, we saw a rock! We've been looking for a good one for a couple of weeks now, just to give it a try. We can't top K and R or The Thundering Herd, but we did give it our best shot in Saint Louis Canyon.
Saint Louis Canyon is an interesting place. Many years ago, when Grandpa was a little boy, there was a shocking murder committed in the canyon in March of 1960. Three women from a Chicago suburb were found killed and a young man, Chester Weger, was convicted of the crimes.
There's been a lot of controversy surrounding the case from the time it was committed up until the present day. Anyroo, one of mom's relatives was one of the jurors, so she's heard many tales about it as she grew up. It's hard to believe something so awful could have happened in such a beautiful place. There are rumors that the canyon is haunted, but we didn't see any signs of any ghosts while we were there, fortunately.
What a great day!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks fur sharing your hike AND the history as well!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
Bunny and Morgan are regular mountain goats!
ReplyDeleteFabby photos of Bunny, Morgan and the park.
ReplyDeleteHope Morgan was tired out and the Trick or Treaters all left with dry pants:)
What a fantastic hike and a great name! We loved 'Starved Rock'!
ReplyDeleteWhat a spooky history - sounds like just the right walk of Halloween eve.
Those pics of you two on the rocks are awesome.
Just beautiful!
We also work on the principle that a tired dog is a good dog!
love
Martha and Bailey xxx
Well, I'm not sure that Morgan would ever be tired enough not to do her job. She does have to protect all of you, right? But it was fun to have a big adventure.
ReplyDeleteSlobbers,
Mango
A haunted canyon is a pawfect place to visit on Halloween weekend! How did Morgan do? Franklin makes the most horrible noises when the doorbell rings. He barks and barks and when he's not allowed to actually go to the door it sounds like he's snarling viciously. Actually, there's nothing there to back that up, but the sound effects are quite something.
ReplyDeletelotsa licks, Lola
We love Starved Rock, but didn't know about the mystery! Maybe a future X-Paws (still have your other idea on the list). BUT PLEASE, be careful on those ledges!
ReplyDeleteYour pal, Pip
Boy those dogs could give my goats a real challenge in rock climbing! Lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures of Bunny and Morgan!
ReplyDeleteBut I have to ask, did Morgan make any trick or treater pee their pants?
You went 'dere again!! Oh... next time we go wit and we ride in yous back pack!!
ReplyDeleteLike Pip, we didn't know about the mystery either... SpOoky..
beautEeful day for a hike..
hugs!!
Josie
Those do be some pawsome pikshures of you and Morgan on those rawks! The trick or treaters woz all done by the time we gotted home yesterday at 5 pm. They has to go out in the daytimes around here and that is so unhowloweenish.
ReplyDeleteLove the grand canyonesque photos.
ReplyDeleteYou're teasing us ! Was Chester guilty or were there those who had their doubts ?
Beautiful, beautiful canyons. We need to do more hiking, I think. It's been a long time since we took Shiva out of the suburbs. There is nothing like a long walk surrounded by nature.
ReplyDeleteI love the photos of the dogs standing triumphantly on the boulders!!!!! You may have us all beat - none of our dogs have scaled boulders with packs on!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how each of our worlds has little gems to visit and explore? It looks as if you visited a gorgeous one.
I'll be interested to hear whether Morgan made any kids "pee their pants"!
BTW, yes, my husband caught it in a plastic bag before it touched the ground. Quite a feat!
Loved the Pee thingy. One year a little boy stopped on mom's sidewalk and just stood still. Then he came to mom and took his candy and said,"I just pooped my pants."... My mom STILL laughs about that one.
ReplyDeleteThat is an awful thingy to have happend in such a lovely place.
Beautiful walkie you took.
Fabulous canyon pictures of you and Morgan, !
ReplyDeleteThe place did sound haunted after knowing about the history but luckily you all didn't see anything special : )
Hope Morgan was what your dad wanted, "a tired Shepherd is a good Shepherd."
Love the rock pics!
ReplyDeleteWoof! Woof! WOW! What a great hike. View of the rock is awesome. Hope those doggie backpacks are not heavy. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
ReplyDeleteThe ghosts probably don't come out until dark.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are like Jason and Grant on Ghosthunters...just much better looking! :)
ReplyDeleteBeau-rooooo-tiful pic of you and Morgan on the big rock!
ReplyDeleteThat picture of you two on the rock reminds me of a picture I saw of a german shepherd on a rock with a sunset behind him. On the picture it said "This is so going on my Facebook". Those are stately, gorgeous pictures of you two!!
ReplyDeleteCool Story!
ReplyDeleteMorgan is looking great and Bunny looks so happy in her pack
You two have the best adventures. What a wonderful place for a hike.
ReplyDeleteThe story about the murder was shocking but I'm glad you didn't find any evidence of haunting.
Lovely pictures xx
What beautiful pictures!!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Ruairi
Great hike, and such wonderful photos and stories to share. We think you both did an outstanding job on those rocks. K and R and the Herd will be very proud of you.
ReplyDeleteWoos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
You gots my mum all in a tizzy overs them rock fotos withs Bunny and Morgan...her thinks they is just da grandest evers! Okay, I do too!
ReplyDeleteA murder, I not goin' theres no time soon...no sirre bob!
Puddles
I agree with KB - those are spectacular pictures on the boulders. We have some more to share soon.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a fun place to hike! You find the most interesting places.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever visited Elephant Rock State Park in Missouri? http://www.missouri-vacations.com/elephant-rocks-state-park/
Bogart's so jealous of all the cool places you guys hike.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beootiful place to go fur a hike. I wants to come and visit you so I can go wif you next time! :)
ReplyDeleteWoofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae
I just LOVED da foto of you and Morgan on da rocks!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I was a bit concerned bout Morgan with her head in da tree, though.
MinnaK
You guys are always going on the best walks. I've never even been there, let alone taken the dogs, so it's great to experience it through your photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful area. You guys are lucky to get to hike. Cool backpacks.
ReplyDeleteSnuggles,
Benny & Lily
You two looked gorgeous in those pictures!
ReplyDeleteSure it was a great walkie.
Starved Rock?? Not so sure about the name but sure about the beauty of the place!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
Morgan, we are thinking that making little kids pee their pants is not a good thing but making the dadda's of the little kids pee their pants would be a furry funny thing☺
ReplyDeleteHoney bunny and morgan
ReplyDeleteI think your hike was outstanding and the boulder stance! Tres magnificent! What a super cool hike. I'm glad Blue got to go the next time around.
norwood
PS- why was there a young ladee standing behind woos in the boulder shot? Just kidding. Murder mysteries and ghost stories fascinate my mom
Love your photos. You all have so much nature to explore there. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOh, man, we wanna go hiking there! And Rin Tin Tin's got nothing on you two :)
ReplyDeleteThe Road Dogs