Around the Lake MLCB Post #45 6-25-14

Last week, I took a little jaunt on Sunday, from home to the nearby reservoir. The reservoir, Lake Bloomington, is ringed by camps and private vacation homes and compounds, as well as the city waterworks and parks, and an interesting old dam and a really long spillway that leads to the Mackinaw River. This day was a real “cap soaker” as I call it, high heat and humidity due to a stalled weather pattern. No breeze to speak of, and closeness in the air preceding that night’s thunderstorms, which were spectacular even by Prairie State standards.

A farm near the lake. It looks like soybeans are doing well this year.

>

Further along, the road curves past Hinthorn Chapel and the graveyard behind it

This island is in one of the creeks that feeds the lake.

A deep woods where I always seem to see some wildlife

East Bay Camp Entrance, with a nice little blockhouse.

Another camp I saw, very retro, as most of these camps are.

Part of the East Bay Facilities, and the Scottish Rite Camp area. Note the sign. It says “Now leaving East Bay. God Bless You”

Spillway of Lake Bloomington Dam

Panoramic View of the dam

A closer view, Mallard drakes are standing atop the dam in the water running over it.

Bloomington Water Works

The South area of the lake, right before a short, tough hill.

A baby skunk I saw on my way home

I wound up doing about 25 miles, good training for my next ride, in hotter and more humid conditions than I expect to encounter on the day(hopefully). About 345 feet of climbing, all told. Within two hours after these pictures were taken, a large thunderstorm hit Bloomington/Normal, with lots of rain and a big dramatic gust front.