Annual Holiday Brunch and Messenger Marsh hike

Join us once again for our annual holiday brunch! Weather permitting, we'll take an easy hike starting promptly at 10 a.m. around the two crushed limestone loop trails in Messenger Marsh east of Bell Rd., about 3 miles. This hike is weather-dependent, watch here for comments if it needs to be canceled due to snow, sleet etc.

Note: this is Messenger MARSH, NOT Messenger Woods! See info and links to directions and trail map at:
Messenger Marsh | Forest Preserve District of Will County (reconnectwithnature.org)

If you'd like to extend the hike portion by an extra couple miles, you can come early and go out-and-back on the section of trail west of Bell Road. This would be on your own (unless someone wants to volunteer to lead it), just make sure you're back in the parking lot at 10:00 to join the rest of the group.

Then, let's celebrate the holidays and another year of woods walking! At 11:15 we'll meet for brunch up the street at Blueberry Hill Breakfast Cafe, 14355 S. Bell Rd, Homer Glen (on Bell just south of 143rd St.). Brunch will happen whether or not we hike so if you'd rather just eat, meet us at the restaurant at 11:15. www.blueberrybreakfastcafe.com

NOTE: I won't be collecting the $1 donation at the hike, but at brunch I plan to "pass the hat" to collect donations toward the deficit from the November annual Meetup payment (now $299/yr - I paid it but didn't have quite enough in the envelope to cover it) and to get a jumpstart on next year's payment. And obviously brunch is on your own. Also, no attendance limit, the more the merrier.

I need to let Blueberry Hill know a couple days ahead how many are coming, so when you rsvp for this meetup, please specify if you are just hiking and NOT attending brunch - otherwise I'll count you in for brunch. I won't "take attendance" at the hike, feel free to just meet at the restaurant if you prefer. Also, rsvp's will close on Sunday evening 12/15.