Author Archives: PeterFlorczak

First Night Camping

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Starved Rock State Park, Illinois

2022-05-11

Well it too me a while to get back on the road, here but it looks like the wait was worth it. Starved Rick State Park has 18 canyons. Many of which have natural waterfalls. Just an FYI it has over 2 million visitors annually!

Here is the first one that I visited called French Canyon

The bummer is that it is really hot and humid. I was looking forward to snuggling up in the back of my Chevy to 50’s, but I got 90’s instead. I do have one of the more shady camping spots but apparently the trees in the part of the world don’t believe in “large leaves.”

The sun shines right through the trees thin canopy.

Still I am not complaining, just pointing out the facts. Tomorrow, I am hoping to get up very early and start hiking and photography some the other canyons

My new (old) 4 wheel drive ride.

And so the Journey Starts

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Schaumburg, IL May 07, 2022

4:30am at the airport

On my way to Chicago to pick up a SUV from my sister. I have filled one bag with all of the gear that i will need to camp along the way as I slowly make my way back to Texas.

I have set my GPS to avoid tolls and highways so we shall see just how the trip unfolds. One of my favorite quotes was from John Steinbeck in “Travels with Charley” where he says, “You don’t take a trip, a trip takes you.”

So wish me luck!

All Good Things Must Come to an End

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Big Bend National Park
Río Grande Campground
2022-01-06
I am finally retiring my Giant John Tomac Team Edition mountain bike. It was given to me by my nephew Derek over 15 years ago and I have had many many happy memories riding it in some of the most remote parts of the US, but all good things must come to an end.

Giant John Tomac Team Edition Mountain Bike


Kim helped a lady put her life back together. She had a stroke over a year ago and Kim was indeed her angle of mercy. For the very small part that I played in helping, I was given her son’s , who passed away several years ago, his KHS XC-20 mountain bike. If I have half the fun I had on Giant I will be one happy camper.

KHS XC-20

2022 on Our Way to Big Bend. What, again?

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Kim and I, and our new friend Nikki are off to an other adventure in Big Bend National Park. “What,” you ask, “weren’t you just there last year. “ Yes, we have been there more times than I can count on two hands, but we just love this place. Hopefully I we be able to post some incredible photos, and Kim will be able to paint some incredible landscapes, and Nikki, well I think that she will just be happy to be with us.

Nikki is always hoping for snow. Us, not so much!