A Pause on the Return Home: Rend Lake

Leaving Carbondale, Sandra and I headed north and then east on smaller two lane roads. As we drove through the towns of south central Illinois, the clouds completely broke and let the sun guide with bright light--a good traveling day!

Just before catching I-57 for the bulk of the trip back to Chicago, we stopped at Rend Lake, no little pond, but a waterway which stretches over 18,000 acres (that's 13 and 3 miles at its longest and widest points). It was formed by Army Corps of Engineers in the 1960s and 70s by damming the Big Muddy River to provide reliable water for the local counties. These days, the lake also doubles as habitat for a wide range of fish, animals, and birds.

Our stop was for the water and a possible glimpse of waterfowl like cranes or herons. We saw the lake from the interstate when we headed south on the way to Giant City State Park and it looked serene in the fading afternoon light. Now in full sun, it still appeared gorgeous.



Rocks to the Shore




Basking in the Sunshine

We left the car and approached the shore. Along the rocks, dozens of spiders scurried, while just as many lay still, apparently soaking in the mid-day sun. It was nice, mid-60s and gobs of rays--all the weather that we didn't feel when we were at Giant City.



A View of the Lake

Here's Sandra studying the water:



With Shades

For the Illinois Department of Resources site about Rend Lake, click here.