Historic Durant House at Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve

When I was a teenager I thought someday I’d move away and live in a more exciting place than the Chicago suburbs. High school and college graduations came and went and I found myself putting down roots back in my hometown. Eventually I moved a further tad west toward the country and have learned to appreciate the simple and graceful beauty of Illinois prairies. We have many parks, bike paths, scenic country roads, and quaint little shops that I’ve grown to love and appreciate. The historic Durant House at Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve is one such place.

This red brick historic home sits in the middle of a beautiful forest preserve laced with bike and running paths.

 

These running paths are very familiar to me as this is where I do the majority of my training for the upcoming Naperville Marathon.

 

I love the stone path and the rustic wooden front door on the historic Durant house at Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve. It’s a little bit of eye candy while I’m running through the preserve.

 

The gingham check curtains are charming against the rustic brick. The historic Durant House is open for viewing on weekends, along with other historic buildings located in the preserve.

 

A clapboard add-on resides on the back of the house.

 

The back door opens into the primitive, makeshift kitchen.

 

Behind the house is a big red barn where the running path meanders.

 

 

These red-wing blackbirds are prolific throughout Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve.

 

He might look cute but they love to dive bomb your head while running past their nest.

 

Luckily the path at the forest preserve turns into a heavily shaded path of 17 miles.

 

I’m so grateful I didn’t listen to my teenage self and move away from the area after college. I love all that our area has to offer, like the historic buildings, running and bike paths, country roads, quaint shops, bucolic forest preserves, and yes – even the pesky red-winged blackbirds.

In just a few short weeks I’ll be running 26.2 miles at the marathon. Wish me luck!  🙂

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