Winter 2005

Winter Adventure!
Chicago Wilderness is full of enticing trails, animal tracks, and more solitude than in warmer seasons. But sometimes it's nice to throwa little craziness in the mix, if only to keep warm. Here are some suggestions for adventurous seasonal activities.
Compiled by Don Parker.

Solstice Celebrations & Bonfire Building
Nothing will warm you up like one of humankind's oldest traditions. And it's even better when you're burning invasive buckthorn. Celebrate with roasting chestnuts, music, and a shadow play at North Park Village Nature Center on December 18, 6–9 p.m. (312) 744-5472. Or join the procession led by musicians to the solstice bonfire at Somme Woods in Northbrook at 2 p.m. on December 19. [See also "Solace in the Solstice" (CW, Winter 2004).]

Dog Sledding
Hitch your child to a team of huskies at Lake Katherine Nature Preserve's Winter Fest in Palos Heights, Illinois, on January 29. Kids also can carve their own blocks of ice with wooden hammers and chisels. Call (708) 361-1873. Or bring the family to Will County's "Musher Mania" on January 8 at the Monee Reservoir. Dog demonstrations, snowshoe race, a bonfire — even pull your own sled in the "Human Mushing" event. Call (815) 727-8700.

Ice Fishing
Winter turns our land o' lakes into a land o' ice.
For those who have acquired a taste for it, there's nothing like drilling a hole into the ice and staring at it for hours. Try Silver Lake at Blackwell Forest Preserve, as well as a long list of other water bodies in our forest preserves and parks, where anglers routinely land bluegill, perch, white bass, yellow bass, and channel catfish. January is the most dependable month. Make sure ice is 4 inches deep and strap on cleats. For info and fish tales, go to midwestangler.com. Just don't fall in.

Happy Canoe Year!
Join more than 200 fellow canoeists on the North Branch of the Chicago River for a six-mile paddle through the woods on New Year's Day. A 19-year tradition and a perfect way to start another year. Call (773) 777-1489 or e-mail info@chicagolandcanoebase.com. Rentals available.

Polar Bear Club
Cool your heels after the New Year's Day 5K run in Lincoln Park with a noonday Polar Bear "swim" at North Avenue Beach in Chicago (non-runners are welcome to dip). The only rules: 1. No wetsuits and no nudity. 2. You must go all the way under the water. 3. No whining! This is fun! E-mail LeesaRuns@aol.com with questions.

Snowshoe Racing
The Runner's Edge Snowshoe Challenge will make sure you don't put on winter insulation too fast. The friendly two-mile race through a Lake County forest preserve is usually held in January, depending on conditions. Call (847) 853-8531. McHenry County Conservation District also offers snowshoe tours and candlelight ski programs. Call (815) 479-5779.

Ice Carving
When nature gives you ice, make ice sculptures. January 28–30 in downtown Downers Grove, sip hot chocolate and watch professional and amateur ice carvers compete at the Ice Sculpture Festival and Ice Carving Competition. Call (800) 934-0615.