So often we say to each other, “We should…. ” and “Wouldn’t it be cool if we….” and then we forget all about it until it’s too late for the year. So we started keeping track of side quests. As we complete each one, I’ll link as associated blog post to it.
Make Green Walnut Syrup
Gather unripe black walnuts in July and make Green Walnut Syrup according to Forager / Chef’s recipe.
Done 7/17/26 Read more here.
Visit Hanging Rock Preserve and the Big Four Railroad Cut to See Wabash Reef Cross Section
Objective: Retrieve photographic evidence of Wabash Reef lifeforms or actual fossils if on collectable land
Bonus: Obtain (and eat) a pork tenderloin sandwich at Nick’s Tavern in Huntington.
Find Grass Shrimp in Illinois
Objective: Obtain photographic evidence of grass shrimp in a slow moving river in Illinois. Scout ahead of time to determine likely spots.
Bonus: Visit Lyman Woods because Stuart wouldn’t mind seeing it again.
Paddlefish Fetch Quest in Logansport
Objective: Retrieve photographic evidence of paddlefish in the France Park Quarry Lake.
Bonus: Hike someplace interesting and Jessica attend Mass at All Saints Catholic Parish
Visit the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, IL
Bask in the glory of the best natural history museum in the Midwest, possibly the whole country.
Bonus: See the Pokémon Fossil exhibit and catch a Paleontologist / Escavator Pikachu
Visit Possibility Place in Monee Illinois
Objective: Visit the amazing native plant nursery Possibility Place and obtain Rosa setigera for our restoration.
Bonus: Rent a lifeboat and explore the Monee Reservoir