McMahon Woods & Fen Saturday October 23
Two weeks ago we began clearing a honeysuckle patch near the model airplane field at McMahon. It was distinctive in the abundance of bittersweet vines holding everything together. On this day we continued that battle, expanding our clearing both north and south of the initial work.
It was, once again, a great group of motivated volunteers and we got a lot accomplished. We'll return this Saturday, October 30, to push the line of brush even farther back.
Swallow Cliff Woods South, Sunday October 24
We woke up Sunday morning hoping the rain would hold off. Id didn't beginning as a drizzle and becoming a light rain before our 9:00 am start. We abandoned the notion of burning and began tackling a stand of honeysuckle conveniently within sight of the parking lot (and shelter), and knocked most of the miscreants down before wet gloves and increasing rain drove us to the shelter.
There we enjoyed some home-made chocolate chip cookies (thanks, Julie!) before departing for home, soaked but not defeated. Best part of it; we get to return a week later, on Halloween, and finish what we started (with fresh cookies). Thanks to our small, hardy group of volunteers, including first-time Palos volunteers Bob and Louis, who came all the way from Humboldt Park.
I returned that afternoon for a hike and found the preserve almost totally abandoned. Walked the one-mile loop, and beyond, without seeing a solitary human, and when I got back to the lot mine was the only car. This was at 3 pm, the Bears hadn't started playing yet, and I had the south woods to myself. I LOVED IT!
Two weeks ago we began clearing a honeysuckle patch near the model airplane field at McMahon. It was distinctive in the abundance of bittersweet vines holding everything together. On this day we continued that battle, expanding our clearing both north and south of the initial work.
It was, once again, a great group of motivated volunteers and we got a lot accomplished. We'll return this Saturday, October 30, to push the line of brush even farther back.
Swallow Cliff Woods South, Sunday October 24
We woke up Sunday morning hoping the rain would hold off. Id didn't beginning as a drizzle and becoming a light rain before our 9:00 am start. We abandoned the notion of burning and began tackling a stand of honeysuckle conveniently within sight of the parking lot (and shelter), and knocked most of the miscreants down before wet gloves and increasing rain drove us to the shelter.
There we enjoyed some home-made chocolate chip cookies (thanks, Julie!) before departing for home, soaked but not defeated. Best part of it; we get to return a week later, on Halloween, and finish what we started (with fresh cookies). Thanks to our small, hardy group of volunteers, including first-time Palos volunteers Bob and Louis, who came all the way from Humboldt Park.
I returned that afternoon for a hike and found the preserve almost totally abandoned. Walked the one-mile loop, and beyond, without seeing a solitary human, and when I got back to the lot mine was the only car. This was at 3 pm, the Bears hadn't started playing yet, and I had the south woods to myself. I LOVED IT!
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