Feeling the love in Illinois.... Loves Park that is..

Mood: Very Relaxed-patio door open with a nice cool breeze
Song: God’s Gonna Cut You Down – Johnny Cash
Beverage of Choice: Young’s Double Chocolate Stout
Sobriety: 1 pint down the hatch
Book: A.H.W.O.S.G still reigns supreme

My intentions were to ride a trail Imagination Glen in Indiana and Espenscheid in Illinois, but it was really raining… Fortunately it quit in time for me to ride a trail later in the day.

July 11th , 2006 Rock Cut State Park Loves Park, IL
To get to this trail, take I-90 west to Rockford, exiting at East Riverside Blvd. Go left on East Riverside a few miles to Perryville Road, right on Perryville to Hwy. 173, right on Hwy. 173 about 1-1/2 miles to park entrance. Website for the park is here: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R1/ROCKCUT.HTM Rock Cut has 23 miles set aside for mountain biking, and also connects to a paved trail system that I did not ride(Willow Creek). The biking trails are located on the northeast and southwest sides of the park. I would say that the northeast portion of the trail is not so good. There seemed to be a lot of traffic (runners), and good part of the trail was two track. The northwest part of the trail was a good ride. I would recommend stopping by the park if you are in the neighborhood and hopping on the bike trail in the Willow Creek Natural area of the park. There were some good technical portions, and a couple of good down hills.

Food Establishments Frank O’Dowd’s Irish Pub
Stopped in at the pub late and ordered a Guinness and an order of Bangers and Mash. The Guinness sure hit the spot, but the Bangers were more like hot dogs… No real taste.
The pub has a tremendous ambiance and has some very impressive woodwork. I would recommend going to this place for a good pint and a really well kempt bar. For more info on this place – check out www.theirishcottage.com . The pub is located in beautiful Galena, IL. Galena seems like a great place. I am thinking of heading here next summer and staying a day or two on the way to Iowa again.

Discussion on Beverage of Choice Young’s Double Chocolate Stout
My favorite dark beer is Brains Dark, but I haven’t been able to find it in the States. I found this wonderful nectar on a work trip to Wales, and it is killing me to not be able to get my fix! So… That leaves me with my favorite dark beer at this point being Young’s Double Chocolate Stout. I love this beer…. The beer itself is very smooth and silky.