4.5--5.5 mile hike out of Irene Hernandez Family Picnic Area

Please note, this is an edit of the original posting of the hike. The day and date is Wednesday, 2/18/26 rather than Monday, 2/16/26.

I am back among the living as far as Meetup is concerned. They have been convinced with great difficulty that I am Robert Potoker, the former [and current] organizer of Chicago Northwest Side Hiking, and why the hell would anyone else want to be Robert Potoker, other than me. It ain't no great honor.

So, I am now able to post hikes/events, which I am now doing. I do plan on making Bob Oram a co-coordinator, if he is willing and if I can figure out how to do it.

I however will not be on this hike, nor on the one on 2/16, Monday, nor on hikes until 3/16, as Phyllis and I will be in Buenos Aires. Bob Oram will lead those hikes, if he is in town and willing to do so, and if not, people attending can figure out where to go collectively.

Please note: I am instituting a NO POLITICS policy. Please refrain from talking politics, it's not a good idea.

Also, I drive a red VW Jetta rather than a dented up silver Sonata.

And, if anyone is trying to contact me on the internet, my new email address is ohilly1@gmail.com

Everything else is the same and unfortunately I am the same man I was before.

We will leave from Irene Hernandez Family Picnic Area, which is on Foster Ave about 4500 west, in Chicago. This is the farthest south point on the North Branch Trail which goes all the way up to the Botanic Gardens. We will leave at 9 AM, I will give 5 minutes leeway for late arrivers, more if I know and like the late arrivers. The walk will be an out and back, 5 to 6 miles. There are a number of possible routes to take from the parking area. The route we take is determined by the general consensus of the hikers and often a function of the ground conditions.

I attempt to cajole others, more able than I, to be my surrogate leaders. I employ a combination of flattery and abuse. Out of my innate sense of politeness I will not mention other elements of that surrogacy that has been eschewed by those good fellows ["fellows" is gender neutral].

While I am an autocrat at home, on my hikes I feign a collegial mien.

My phone is 773 991 4845.