Kaia knows how to beat the heat this summer!

By Teri Stickler and her Samoyed, Kaia

Have you recently had surgery? Or would you just like a place to enjoy the great out-of-doors, watch a few boats go by, or stroll a shaded path?

Are you looking for a place to take in our fabulous Mississippi River?

It’s time to get back on the trails … just not the steep ones.

Sunset Park and Marina are located in Rock Island, IL.

Kaia and I needed such a place to kick-start her return to normal activity. After three months of healing and rehab, we were both more than ready to be whole again and do what we love best: get out, walk, hike, and take in the scenery. Just enjoying it all.

And since stairs or steep hills might still be a little premature for Kaia at this time, we opted to visit Sunset Park in Rock Island.

We could not explore all 250 acres the park offers, but we sure managed to dip our feet in along the edge of some of Lake Potter’s 50 acres and walk the shoreline of the Mississippi.

Not all trails are made for walking

Kaia does not ride a bike (at least, not that I know of), but should you be so inclined, Sunset Park bike path marks the starting point for the 65-mile long, paved bi-state Riverway Trails system.

Located on Sunset Road, 18^th and 31^st Avenues, Rock Island, Illinois, this park has much to offer: ball diamonds, picnic areas, tables, benches, and two shelters. The shelters can be rented for events and weddings. Call 309-732-7275 or email parkrecmail@rigov.org.

And that’s not all there is to do here.

Come throw in a line and spend the day doing a little fishing. By the way, make a note to remember to come back when winter arrives, then you can add ice skating to your list of things to do!

The park has public restrooms, sand volleyball, and an extensive walk/jog path/trail. Plus, a very nice playground area for the kids.

Discover Sunset Park’s scenic over-look and muddy river banks

If you would like a bird’s eye view of the river and across, toward Credit Island, Davenport, walk up to the top of the pavilion over-look. Kaia wasn’t ready for that many stairs – at least not yet.

The scenic overlook at Sunset Park

But if you make the effort, what a view you will have. Make sure to bring some binoculars. Being up high, looking over the river, is a wonderful place to see the sights and catch any summer breeze on these hot, sunny days.

We also wandered along the shoreline for a bit. And of course, Kaia could not resist giving her recently cleaned and nicely groomed feet and legs a deep mud treatment in the rich Mississippi River silt.

If only we had the coat she has. Within the time it took to come out and shake a little and then air dry, the mud had vanished. She looked ready for a spot in the Westminster Dog Show, just as clean and pretty as she had been when we left the groomer a week earlier. She was so happy with herself!

Enjoying lunch, a few water berries, and Sunset Marina

After a little fun in the shoreline mud, Kaia was ready for a picnic.

We set out to walk for as long as it felt comfortable for Kaia, then sat down to give her knee a rest and stayed as long as we wanted. With our packed picnic lunch, super cold ice water (we call the ice cubes her water berries), and a couple of doggie bowls, we acquired one of the many available picnic tables and had a bite to eat, enjoying a lazy summer day.

I would be remiss not to mention the beautiful Sunset Marina, part of Sunset Park.

Many boaters dock their boats within the sheltered waters of Lake Potter, with its access to the river. Three boat ramps are available to put in your boat, canoe, kayak, or stand-up board.

Discover Sunset Park for yourself

Rock Island’s Sunset Park is right here, next to one of the world’s largest rivers. It’s right in our backyard. Put it on your list of places to go.

To quote John Muir: “All of the paths you take in life, make sure some of them are dirt.”

To which Kaia adds a short addendum: “… and creeks, ponds, lakes, and rivers. Feels oh so good on the toes.”

______________________________________

LINKS:

PDF Map of Sunset Park

Information about Sunset Park (Great River Road website)

Information about Sunset Park (RiverAction website)

Information about Sunset Park (QC Trails website)

By Teri Stickler and her Samoyed, Kaia Have you recently had surgery? Or would you just like a place to enjoy the great out-of-doors, watch a few boats go by, or stroll a shaded path? Are you looking for a place to take in our fabulous Mississippi River?

It’s time to get back on the trails … just not the steep ones.

Sunset Park and Marina are located in Rock Island, IL.

Kaia and I needed such a place to kick-start her return to normal activity. After three months of healing and rehab, we were both more than ready to be whole again and do what we love best: get out, walk, hike, and take in the scenery. Just enjoying it all. And since stairs or steep hills might still be a little premature for Kaia at this time, we opted to visit Sunset Park in Rock Island. We could not explore all 250 acres the park offers, but we sure managed to dip our feet in along the edge of some of Lake Potter’s 50 acres and walk the shoreline of the Mississippi.

Not all trails are made for walking

Kaia does not ride a bike (at least, not that I know of), but should you be so inclined, Sunset Park bike path marks the starting point for the 65-mile long, paved bi-state Riverway Trails system. Located on Sunset Road, 18^th and 31^st Avenues, Rock Island, Illinois, this park has much to offer: ball diamonds, picnic areas, tables, benches, and two shelters. The shelters can be rented for events and weddings. Call 309-732-7275 or email parkrecmail@rigov.org. And that’s not all there is to do here. Come throw in a line and spend the day doing a little fishing. By the way, make a note to remember to come back when winter arrives, then you can add ice skating to your list of things to do! The park has public restrooms, sand volleyball, and an extensive walk/jog path/trail. Plus, a very nice playground area for the kids.

Discover Sunset Park’s scenic over-look and muddy river banks

If you would like a bird’s eye view of the river and across, toward Credit Island, Davenport, walk up to the top of the pavilion over-look. Kaia wasn’t ready for that many stairs – at least not yet.

The scenic overlook at Sunset Park

But if you make the effort, what a view you will have. Make sure to bring some binoculars. Being up high, looking over the river, is a wonderful place to see the sights and catch any summer breeze on these hot, sunny days. We also wandered along the shoreline for a bit. And of course, Kaia could not resist giving her recently cleaned and nicely groomed feet and legs a deep mud treatment in the rich Mississippi River silt. If only we had the coat she has. Within the time it took to come out and shake a little and then air dry, the mud had vanished. She looked ready for a spot in the Westminster Dog Show, just as clean and pretty as she had been when we left the groomer a week earlier. She was so happy with herself!

Enjoying lunch, a few water berries, and Sunset Marina

After a little fun in the shoreline mud, Kaia was ready for a picnic.

We set out to walk for as long as it felt comfortable for Kaia, then sat down to give her knee a rest and stayed as long as we wanted. With our packed picnic lunch, super cold ice water (we call the ice cubes her water berries), and a couple of doggie bowls, we acquired one of the many available picnic tables and had a bite to eat, enjoying a lazy summer day. I would be remiss not to mention the beautiful Sunset Marina, part of Sunset Park. Many boaters dock their boats within the sheltered waters of Lake Potter, with its access to the river. Three boat ramps are available to put in your boat, canoe, kayak, or stand-up board.

Discover Sunset Park for yourself

Rock Island’s Sunset Park is right here, next to one of the world’s largest rivers. It’s right in our backyard. Put it on your list of places to go. To quote John Muir: “All of the paths you take in life, make sure some of them are dirt.” To which Kaia adds a short addendum: “… and creeks, ponds, lakes, and rivers. Feels oh so good on the toes.”

______________________________________