I’m a road-trip kinda gal, but a few days ago Jesse asked if I wanted to fly to Boston with him. I was packed and ready to go faster than you can say Beantown. Though I had only been there once, briefly, ten years ago, I love Boston; plus I was eager to spend some time alone with my man.
It was a quick trip — we only had one full day in Boston. Jesse had to work and I was there to research The Quarter Millennial Experience which is a play I am writing. The QMX takes place on a commuter train in Boston so I visited places that would be familiar to the characters: the Freedom Trail, a train station, the North End (Boston’s Little Italy), the Holocaust Memorial, the Irish Famine Memorial, Chinatown and two museums. I spent a grand total of $15 — the price of museum admission.
Walking around Boston. I was headed to the Old State House which is the red brick building in the center.
While I walked around Boston and people-watched, Jesse had a site visit for a multimillion dollar show he will be working on next month. His work-day cost several thousands of dollars. When we met back at the hotel that afternoon, he said the information gathered at the site visit could have taken place over Zoom and a couple emails.
The difference in the way we “spent” our days is representative of how my husband and I spend our lives. He’s a spender; I’m not. He’s strategic and corporate; I’m artistic and have a short attention span. He’s the best at what he professionally does — always in demand. I’m…dispensable. After twenty years of marriage, we’ve given up trying to change each other, but we haven’t given up on each other.
It’s a simple thing to love someone and be loved back so sustaining our marriage is somewhat brainless for us. No one has ever tried to break us up and we both have an “us versus them” mentality about society. No way in hell are we going to let society win. Besides, marriage is a place to be fully human with another person. Where else can you say that is true?
I have to finish my chores, which includes weeding the vegetable garden, watering the plants with rain water I collected from the last storm, stirring the compost, and scrubbing the floors with hot earth-friendly soapy water. And I need to work on my play. While I do that, Jesse will be invoicing and working on estimates. When we’re done with our respective tasks, we’re headed to a nearby nature preserve for a hike which is something sustainable we always enjoy doing together no matter how different we are.
Thanks for reading! -Connie
P.S. I took the featured photo about a week ago at the forest preserve we will be visiting later today. The prairie is really coming to life and will be even more beautiful and colorful now through July. Here’s how to RSVP for a free public hike at that preserve.
I’ve never “reblog” button before but thought I’d share our Rockford Fringe blog post with you because some of you have asked me where we hike. My dad once told me, “If one person asks, then twelve people care” and I’ve been operating on that scale for as long as I can remember.
We hike all over, but I’m including a short blog (above) about where we hike in the winter.
Hope this information helps and remember, our hikes are free and open to the public so join us!
Testing the trails with my kids at Deer Run Forest Preserve in northern Illinois.
Barefoot hiking with the kids
For the past few weeks, my family and I have been testing several trails in northern Illinois to ensure that they are “barefoot friendly.” To be deemed barefoot friendly, the path must be clear and clean for at least one mile so that the barefoot hiker experiences pleasure, not pain.
Well, maybe a little pain
If you walk too fast, you’re going to get a little hurt. We learned this early in our training. While each of us acclimated very quickly to going barefoot, we started off going too fast. In our first trial week we either got cut, stung, bruised, scraped and/or poked. We’re fine with a little pain, but we have slowed down our pace, especially when others are with us.
A minor scratch from going too fast. Lesson learned.
The perks of bare feet
You can google “barefoot hiking” and find numerous articles, blogs and websites that list the health benefits. But here, I’ll share with you you what I’ve experienced.
One, I feel better. I feel…more.
Two, I’m more aware of my surroundings. Not only do I notice what’s happening on the ground, I’ve become more in tune with what’s happening with the trees and plants. A month ago, when I started going barefoot on a regular basis, I noticed that the trees, hedges, bushes and plants are in a constant state of shedding their leaves, blossoms, blooms and needles. Most of the shedding is pure comfort to walk upon. While I don’t recommend walking on blue spruce needles, it’s very pleasant to walk on white pine needles and yew needles.
Where the sidewalk…begins
It used to cause me pain to take walk on pavement. Now I see where the trees and plants lay down places for me to walk barefoot. A weed growing through the cracks makes a soft landing pad as do the little divots of dried out dirt in fragmented sidewalks. The wind has blown the early spring blossoms of my trees and flowers into a fine floral carpet in my back yard. I no longer slip on my sandals when I take out the trash or walk my dog. I rake the yard less. I stopped sweeping the sidewalk. I’ve found that Mother Nature naturally softens the earth for bare feet. And that’s just in my neighborhood.
Seasonal
I am not a fan of the humidity that comes with a Midwestern summer but I love walking barefoot through a cool forest on a hot day. It’s rejuvenating. I also love walking through hot, dry grass alongside an Illinois prairie. There is a soft crunch that comes with each step and the blades of grass send chills up my body. The textures of the trails are exhilarating.
Where I should go barefoot hiking?
Start small. Go barefoot inside and outside your home. Drive somewhere in your bare feet. Let your feet get used to being bare. When you’re ready, hit the trails. Just remember to go slow.
My favorite barefoot friendly trails (BFTs) are located at Hononegah Forest Preserve and Funderburg Forest Preserve. You can get two safe, sentient miles in at these BFTs.
PRO TIP #1: At Hononegah, start at the trail opening just off the soccer field. Go left and head toward the river. You’ll have a lovely experience.
PRO TIP #2: At Funderburg, if you’re a beginner, I recommend starting with your shoes or sandals on. Head toward the trail that takes you through the woods and to the creek. Once you pass the gravel, you can remove your footwear. We usually just leave our shoes on the side of the trail, but you can carry them with you, if you like.
There are many more paths that are perfect for bare feet which leads me to…
PRO TIP #3: Come with me!
If you’re not ready to venture out on your own, I’m leading several “shoe optional” hikes for the Rockford Fringe this summer. These free guided hikes are one or two miles long and after our walks, we’re having a light picnic and an art pop-up. That means we spend a half hour or more writing, reading, sketching, composing or creating some new kind of art. We call them “twarts” because they’re outdoor adventures with a twist of art.
Did I lose you?
If so, which part?
Does saying or even just reading “twart” make you uncomfortable? It’s a silly made-up word that embodies the Rockford Fringe. It can’t hurt you!
Are you turned off to the idea of exposing your bare tootsies in public? The hikes are shoe optional, so wear your footwear if you like.
Are you turned off to the idea of creating art in the open air? If so, then just observe or leave early.
Are you turned off to the idea of a picnic? Then don’t eat.
Real talk
I love barefoot hiking. I love writing, music, theatre, art, poetry and spoken word. I love picnics. I love being outside. I love meeting people. And I love sharing safe, fun, free events with the public. Why? Because the Rockford Fringe shows me what’s real. It shows me who’s real. It shows me, time and time again, people who think for themselves.
I am excited to see who shows up and gives their feet a chance to connect with the earth. And I’m even more excited to see what is created! We’ve already witnessed one new original song, a new short story, the beginning of a new screenplay, a couple new poems and some sketching and drawing.
We’re looking for a few brave souls and soles to join us at our twarts. Are you one of them? Then click the Events tab and sign up.
Thanks for reading! Hope to see you at a twart! -Connie
My foot at Hononegah Forest Preserve.
Enter your email below to subscribe to my blog. Free, no ads and unlimited pictures of my feet!
This morning, I was reading a chapter about the benefits of walking barefoot. I’ve been thinking about guiding a two or three-mile barefoot hike at a local forest preserve and was searching for insight and came across the following quote:
Our feet have almost twice as many nerve endings as a penis, making them one of the most intensely tactile and sensuous parts of the body.
After I read that, I put my book down, stared at bare feet and wondered, “Is that supposed to inspire me?”
Because it didn’t.
However, it did remind me of an article I read in the local paper several years ago. It was about a young man who was part of an organization that walks barefoot every day. Even though there was absolutely no mention of the nerve endings of a penis, I was still inspired.
It was winter but I was eager to give barefoot walking a try. I wasn’t particularly good at it, not at first. Walking on frozen sidewalks and earth feels like you’re getting burned and scraped at the same time, but I kept trying and now it’s something I do every day. I don’t do it for long periods of time. I’ll do little things. I’ll take the trash out or go to the basement or drive or walk Barbara. Right now I am writing barefoot.
Though I’ve been a practicing barefoot-walker for more than a decade, my mind still plays tricks on me. It tries to talk me out of it.
“You’ll get stung!” “You’ll cut yourself!” “You’ll get pulled over!” “You’ll step on broken glass!” “You’ll fall!” “You’ll step on a slug!” “You’ll step in…something wet.”
My mind tries to scare me away from connecting with the earth (or my home or my car). My mind tells me to stop being direct.
I hate when my mind tells me to stop being direct and I hate when my body sends me signals that interfere with my intuition. But I love finding ways to rebel against fear.
I hope you’ll consider joining me on a barefoot hike. I’m still working out the details of when and where, but wanted to write about it today in hopes that it would sort of whet your appetite to go on a barefoot hike with me.
My 15-year-old son Sam and I went mushrooming today for the first time since December. Neither of us were expecting much but we wanted to get a jump on the season, and some fresh air. We went to Aldeen Park, a city park in the center of Rockford. I followed Sam as he led me several yards off the trail.
“I think I see wood ear,” he said as he took off.
“Really?” I shouted after him. “Are you sure?!”
Sure enough, he had found several of the species. He’s found them before and brought them back to me, but this is the first time I have seen them on the tree. This little guy was “born” last fall, but is still very soft.
It’s really quite a joy to find these little guys. Their scientific name is Auricularia auricula and it’s just a joyful little fungus. Below is the same wood ear, turned inside out. It flips just as easily as a dog ear.
The instant Sam turned the specimen “inside out” the fungus stopped being a mushroom and “became” the ear of a mythical animal. It looked and felt like the inside of a mysterious ear and we both felt like we were invading its privacy. Sam closed it up and we kept hiking. It’s been several years since I felt this way but there are times when I am convinced the woods want to be alone.
We didn’t stay much longer but we did stop to check on our old pal the artist conk. We wanted to see if he grew from the last time we saw him in November. And he did! It’s pretty amazing how he just hides in plain sight getting bigger every day, kind of like someone else I know.
Hey, it’s another late night (and short) blog. Thanks for reading and remember to watch what you say in the woods. You never know who’s listening. -Connie
A stand of white pine trees in the Kishwaukee River Forest Preserve.
I live in Rockford, Illinois with my husband, our four children and pets. It’s neither a small town nor a suburb. It’s a big town or, if you prefer, a small city. And it really spreads out: It has an area of approximately 65 square miles and a population of @150,000 of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
For perspective, Chicago (pop: 2.71 million) has 234 square miles. Minneapolis (pop: @420,000) has 59 square miles. I include those two cities because I am very familiar with both and love them dearly. But I live in Rockford and am eager to share the beautiful and free places that make it so special. Here’s where we hiked in 2021:
Aldeen Park / Rockford University. If you want to get a quick, rugged two miles in, Aldeen is a city park that has a great trail system replete with a creek, dam, prairie, bluffs, hills and lots of deer.
I don’t have a picture of any of the dozens of deer we saw in 2021 but here is evidence of “buck rub.”
Aldeen also connects with the local university, which offers several unexpected moments of nature.
Sam and Angelo explore a pile of “junk” trees behind the university. They found numerous Artists’ Conks and Dryad’s Saddles growing on the decaying wood.Most of the trees in that stash at the university are decaying and hollowed out from insects and mushrooms. Here’s Angelo taking a peek inside.
Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve. A family favorite. Spectacular views of the Kishwaukee River, lovely trails that connect with several other preserves, lots of biodiversity throughout the system and the “springs” are always a delight, no matter the season,
The “springs” in December at Blackhawk. Always teeming with spirit and life.
It’s easy to get a quick three miles at Blackhawk but you can track several more if that is your intention. Mushroom hunters: I found old, decaying chicken-of-the-woods and oysters here in December. I hope to harvest some fresh choice edibles in the spring, summer and fall!
Cedar Cliff Forest Preserve. Lovely views of a prairie, a mostly hardwood forest (there are a couple different stands of white pine trees in the woods) and the Rock River. You’re likely to encounter deer, an owl, snails and bald eagles on this hike, not to mention at least a dozen species of mushrooms ranging from coral to milk-caps and beyond! This is mostly a loop and it’s less than 2.5 miles long. It’s close to the Rockford Airport so you’ll see and hear low-flying aircraft while you hike. Though this isn’t a long hike, it’s one of my favorites because it’s close to home but it feels like a completely different state.
Views like this make me feel like I’m far away from home but Cedar Cliff Forest Preserve is a less than 20 minute drive!
Colored Sands Forest Preserve. Terrific prairie, lovely woods, nice view of the Kish. A busy thoroughfare for birds and bird banders so be mindful of the mist nets. Easy to get a quick two miles here. With a little ingenuity, you’ll track 10 miles because it connects with Sugar River Alder Forest Preserve. Wear bright colors during hunting season because hunters are out on nearby private properties. Speaking of bright, check out this Northern Cinnabar Polypore I found at Colored Sands on Christmas Eve:
Beautiful pore structure and a lovely burnt orange color. This is a Northern Cinnabar Polypore (Trametes cinnabarina) I found on a decaying log about twenty feet from the trail not far from the hawk station.
Deer Run Forest Preserve. Fern and I love it here. The trails go on for miles and take you through woods, by prairies and right up-and-into the Kishwaukee River. Easy to get a quick three miles in, but if you want more, you’ll track at least six. Hiking in the winter is delightful, but I can’t wait until the spring so I can forage for mushrooms here. I don’t want to give away too much, but if you see this tree in the spring, summer or fall, you are probably steps aways from several species of choice mushrooms! Hint: not a chicken, but a ______ of-the-woods!
Mushroom lovers: If you see this tree at Deer Run, you are very close to several species of choice mushrooms!
Funderburg Forest Preserve. Go there in May to check out the spectacular meadows. You will see unique shades of green in May. You can cover a lot of miles here, but it’s not my favorite. While most trails are inherently uneven, the trails around the cornfields can be ankle-twisters, not to mention boring. And I noticed there were a lot of horse flies particularly in the deepest sections of the woods all summer long. This is one of those places I wanted (and repeatedly tried) to unconditionally love, but I only recommend it as a place to see cool shades of green in the month of May:
Check out Funderburg in May when the meadows glow with glorious green.
FUNDERBURG UPDATE JULY 10, 2023: On Sunday, July 9, 2023, I was hiking at Funderburg with the Rockford Fringe and was completely astonished to discover that several of the “boring cornfields” have indeed been converted into stunning prairies teeming with yarrow, bergamot and brown-eyed Susans. It is absolutely gorgeous! As such, Funderburg has climbed to the top of my favorite places to hike in northern Illinois.
Funderburg in 2023! They’ve converted the old cornfields into gorgeous wildflower prairies!
Kishwaukee Gorge North. If you’re going for miles, you’ll have to repeat the course, but the gorge is great and the workout going up and down is intense and fun. Lovely views of the Kishwaukee River and lots of mushrooms!
My sons exploring the gorge at Kishwaukee Gorge North in November. Several species of mushroom here.
Macktown Forest Preserve. Sort of small so park at the entrance to get your steps in. This place features lovely trails through a hardwood forest, nice views of the Rock River, an interesting cemetery where Hononegah is buried and educational signage about the history, native plants and more. But be careful. There is weirdness lurking in the woods:
Mysterious bin located fifty feet from the trail at Macktown. I was too chicken to get any closer. Jimmy Hoffa, are you in there?
Oak Ridge Forest Preserve. Unique structure and vibe. I always see something unusual here. Almost feels like you’re in the South. It starts by the Kishwaukee River then dips in and out of the forest.
This is a decaying giant puffball mushroom at Oak Ridge. The sunlight hit it in such a way that you can see its stunning purple hues. Most of the time, decaying puffballs look greyish-greenish-brown.
Rock Cut State Park. Located in Loves Park, this park features a beautiful forest, lovely lakes, camping and delightful trails. Once a year we rent a pedal boat and head out on Pierce Lake. It is especially fun to go early in the morning when it is quiet and misty.
Fern and Angelo on Pierce Lake at Rock Cut State Park.
Russell Woods Forest Preserve. In DeKalb County. Lovely views of the Kishwaukee River, nice trails, peaceful prairie and a nearby farm. Oh, and it has this sledding hill!
Russell Woods in DeKalb County. It’s a sledding hill in the winter but during the summer, it’s where we meet to share our writing or discuss the books we are reading. That’s Fern.
Severson Dells Nature Preserve. A family staple, easy to get in four quick miles. Interesting trails, lovely bluffs, an inviting creek and a pond that is teeming with life. Visit the woods in the evening to hear and see owls. Get an extra mile in by circling the prairie. Highly recommend the dells but avoid if it recently rained because it gets muddy and slippery.
Seward Bluffs Nature Preserve. One of the perks of hiking in the winter is that you will see things you wouldn’t necessarily see during the warmer months when everything is in “bloom.” Case in point: This dead, decaying tree 50 feet off of mile marker 20 is loaded with the biggest artists’ conks we have ever seen!
Angelo and I were stunned to find so many enormous artists’ conks on this old, dead tree at Seward.
I am certain we would not have seen these conks if the leaves were still on the trees. But there’s more to this preserve than behemoth mushrooms. Seward Bluffs has bluffs (duh), a river, campsites and lovely winding trails.
Be mindful of hunting season. Hunters have their lookouts right at the edge of their private property lines which border Colored Sands, Sugar River Alder and other forest preserves. It’s legal for them to hunt on their property and they are careful, but wear bright clothes if you hike in November and December.
Sugar River Alder Forest Preserve. Hands down my favorite forest preserve in Winnebago County. Exceptionally quiet, tremendous biodiversity, lots of long trails. Terrific prairie, woods, trails and creek. Wear bright colors in November / during hunting season.
Sugar River Alder Forest Preserve is vibrant and exceptionally quiet except during hunting season. Though not allowed in the preserve, it’s legal to hunt on the nearby properties and several people do.
Bonus Trails
I’m including two “bonus trails” that are located in Minnesota. I haven’t lived in Minneapolis for several years but I still cherish these natural areas and visit them whenever I am the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge. Near the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. The trails seem to go on forever. Years ago, when I worked in Bloomington, I used to come here on my lunch hour, so it’s possible to get a quick, satisfying 30-minute hike here. But I recommend carving out at least three hours so you can explore beyond the usual two-to-four miles.
Get your “butterfly fix” in the prairie and then head onto the trails of the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge for a long, lovely hike.
Quaking Bog in Minneapolis. Located in the heart of the city and home to a beautiful, mysterious bog and several tamarack trees. If you get your fill of sphagnum moss, the bog quickly connects to Eloise Butler Garden, Theo Wirth pathways, more city trails and interesting neighborhoods. This was my “go-to” nature place when I lived in Minneapolis and it’s the first place I visit whenever I go back.
The quaking bog in Minneapolis in August.
What are your favorite places to hike? I hope you consider adding a northern Illinois trail to your list. If you aren’t ready to hike on your own, Rockford Fringe offers free guided hikes every Sunday. RSVP on the Events Page.
Join us for a silent hike into the woods, along a prairie, near a river and by a creek. And then write!
Hello friends and family! Here are the frequently asked questions about the hiking and writing party! I hope you come! -xo Connie
Q: What’s going on?
A: A silent hiking and writing party! There will be no talking from 9:00-11:00 a.m. except when I record you reading your new writing, which I’ll explain further down.
Q: Where is it?
A: It’s in northern Illinois, not far from the Wisconsin border. It’s two hours north of Chicago and about ten minutes from I-90. The specific location will be kept secret until you RSVP.
Expect to hike into a forest as well as alongside a prairie and a creek.
Q: Why so secretive, Connie?
A: Because it is the most consistently quiet place I have ever been and though I am eager to share this “secret” with friends and family, I want to keep it that way to protect the wildlife that thrives there.
Q: What if the silent hike clears my mind so much that I can’t think of anything to write?
A: When we meet, I will give you a writing prompt, if you want one. You can use it or ignore it, but you do have to write!
Q: What if I hate writing?
A: I don’t care. Write.
Q: What happens if we all show up at the same time? Won’t the trails get congested?
A: I will send you onto the trails in staggered times so that you have your own space. There are plenty of ways to spread out. It is easy to get lost on these trails and cell phone services is spotty, but if you simply keep walking, you will make it back to the trailhead.
Q: What if I get lost?
A: Then you will die in the woods, alone. Bobcats will eat your rotting flesh.
Q: How much should I write?
A: As much as you want! You can write a haiku or a tanka or a sestina or an essay or a story or song or a play or a monologue or whatever. I’ll record you reading up to three minutes (about 1000 words) of your new writing.
Q: Why are you going to record me?
A: I am going to include everyone’s recordings in a video. Then I am going to share our video through Zoom and Facebook Live on Halloween Night at 7:45 p.m.
Q: What if I bring something I’ve already written? You gonna be mad?
A: Hell yes I’ll be mad! This is a new event and your writing should reflect the new event.
Q: Does that mean I have to write about the event?
A: You can write whatever you want. It just has to be new writing. Like, don’t show up with your laptop with a manuscript you started in 1997. Or even something you wrote last week. Don’t bring something you want to “dust off” or I will sic the bobcats on you.
Q: That’s the second time you’ve mentioned bobcats. Are there bobcats?
A: Bobcats have been reported in 99 of Illinois’ 102 counties, so probably. However, they are very secretive and I have never seen one there.
Q: Is there anything lurking in the woods that might scare me?
A: Not likely, unless you’re afraid of whitetail deer. But there are fox holes and gopher holes, so it is truly important to look where you are going. There are also countless walnuts on the ground, so keep an eye on the trails so you don’t accidentally twist your ankle.
There is one grill and Jesse will be grilling halloweenies on it.
Q: What if I get hungry from all that hiking and writing?
A: There will be blood snacks! Jesse will be grilling halloweenies and I will be serving a gigantic charcuterie. There will be plenty of vegetarian options. We’ll have bottled water, too.
Q: What should I bring?
A: Please bring your own pen, journal, notebook, etc. Bring your own chair if you want to sit alone, and, if you like, a jug of water to wash your hands, should you need to use the toilet.
There is one vault toilet on the premises, but there is another one down the road.
Q: The word “toilet” embarrasses me. Why are you even mentioning it?
A: Because there is only one vault toilet on the premises. No sinks.
Q: Jeez, how remote is this place? Will I be able to legally and easily park?
A: There is a small parking lot and another one nearby. I’ll help you get situated.
Q: What else is there in terms of comfort?
A: There are two picnic benches in the meeting area and one vault toilet. There is parking but no shelter.
Q: What if it rains?
A: If it’s lightly raining, we will persevere, but if it’s truly pouring we will cancel. I will make that call Saturday at 7:00 a.m. on Facebook and through email and texts.
Q: What time?
A: The in-person event is 9:00-11:00 a.m., on Saturday, Oct. 30 but Jesse and I will stick around later if anyone wants to break the silence and talk. There is also a nearby apple orchard and pumpkin patch for anyone who wants to really have a Midwestern fall experience.
Q: What if I get there early?
A: We will be there at 8:30 to set up and you are welcome to join us or get a head start on the lovely trails. Talking will be allowed all the way up until 9:00 a.m.
Q: What time will the video be shown?
A: The online event is Halloween Night from 7:45-8:30 p.m. I’ll send you the Zoom / Facebook information on Halloween.
Q: When will you send me the address to the secret location?
Constance Kuntz 