The vertical water part of my last post is here!

   After my ‘waking siesta’, I was on the road to Galena, Illinois.
 A brief 25 minutes later, an incredible experience awaited me!
 Sometimes an event is just plain perfect!  Joe, from Niabrara State Park had grown up here and told
me of several places worth visiting, but once again time constraints insisted I
prioritize…of course, I chose the waterfall at Galena Territory!  I
drove into this gorgeous golf community not having a clue where to go and
noticed a gentleman walking across the parking lot.  I told him I was
looking for the information center.  He said he would drive to it and to
follow him.  A mile or so through the green hills and windy roads, we
arrived. What a sweet gesture…thank you Jose!

    As I entered the building, I
was greeted by a man behind a counter and no sooner did I tell him that I was
looking for the waterfall, I heard a voice offer to show me where it was!
 I turned and there was a woman who offered to meet me at the end of the
parking lot and that I could follow her to the falls.  Wow!  We
arrived at the waterfall (vertical water…lol),
which was amazing, and we began a conversation that was as spectacular as the
view.  My guide/friend’s name is MJ and we seemed to ‘hit it off’ right
from the start.  She told me about the way the path to the falls was
before the flood (2008, I think), narrower and woodsy.  Now it is carved
out and there is an upper and lower dirt viewing ‘platform’.  We paused
while I took pictures.   We continued to talk and MJ shared that she had just retired and
was actually doing the same work now but as a volunteer!  She had been
instrumental in developing a veteran support network that services 2 counties.
 It welcomes all those in need without strict eligibility requirements.
What a wonderful and much needed resource.  You can read more about it at
www.lmvfs.org.
(Lake McHenry Veteran & Family Services). The program began as a pilot that
had been government funded.  The grant will be expiring soon and she has
been working to ensure that it continues once that funding runs out!  I
can only imaging how many families will continue to benefit from this effort on
the parts of many.   Thank you to all involved in this worthy
project…you are improving the quality of life for those who have risked
theirs to save ours…blessings!

   Mj’s Bright Spot– the synchronicity of being there at the
moment I needed help and being able to respond without concern about time
constraints since she is retired now!  MJ, you were indeed a Bright Spot in my day as well!  Thank you so
much!  

***PS-See, Joe, I made it!  you were
right…the falls are fabulous!  Next go-round, I’ll see your other
recommendations.