Looking for Fall Amongst the Brown
Fall On the Western Side of the Shawnee National Forest - by Gary Marks Exit Fall, Enter Winter The calendar has finally rolled over to November, the time for change in the Shawnee Hills. This is the month that trees become silent and the cooler temps blow swiftly from the north. Winter will be quickly approaching giving rise to collisions of warm and cold fronts making November rains and waterfalls a very high possibility. There is one thing... Read More
Looking for Fall Amongst the Green
- by Gary Marks Exit Summer, Enter Fall The calender has finally rolled over into October, the time of change in the Shawnee Hills. This is the month that the forest gives a final bold pop and a confetti of leaves comes raining down by the end of the month celebrating another successful growing season. The bold pop is not quite here as we enter the first week. Green is still the primary color, but that does not stop me from grabbing my gear... Read More
Pomona Natural Bridge – Shawnee National Forest
Shawnee National Forest – Pomona Natural Bridge Located within the Shawnee National Forest lies one of most spectacular examples of a natural bridge in Illinois. The trail that loops around the area is approximately 1/3 mile, but what it lacks in distance, it makes up in scenery. Why is it Here? Standing high atop a bluff one can look out over a natural wonder that appears as though it could have been chiseled by the hand of man. Man had... Read More
Burden Falls – The Best Waterfall in Southern Illinois ?
Burden Falls – The Best Waterfall in Southern Illinois? - by Gary Marks If you could visit only one waterfall in Southern Illinois would this be the one to go to? Ask several different people and you will get several different answers, but can one Waterfall be called the BEST in Southern Illinois? This article delves head-long into a debate that will rage long after you read this article. The Stage The sound of rushing water fills your head... Read More
Little Grand Canyon – Two Canyons, One Great View
Little Grand Canyon – Two Canyons, One Great View Close your eyes and imagine a canyon. No, No, not that canyon (lol). Wipe those ideas aside for a moment and think smaller, more intimate, more Midwestern. Images of steep gray sandstone, deep green ferns, and a stream that has gently carved the area for many centuries, may fill your head. Yeah, that’s it! Now take that image and place it into the far reaches of Southern Illinois... Read More
Morel Mushrooms in Southern Illinois – Shawnee National Forest
Searching for the Elusive Morel Mushroom in Southern Illinois - by Gary Marks “You’ve lived in Southern Illinois how long and have never been morel hunting?” That is usually the first reaction I receive when I tell someone I’ve always wanted to search for morel mushrooms. I have in the past looked on the side of the trails while hiking, but never knew what I was truly looking for. Sure I knew what they looked like, but... Read More
3 More Awesome Videos of Southern Illinois Waterfalls
3 More Awesome Videos of Southern Illinois Waterfalls Did you explore the waterfalls of our 5 Cool Videos of Southern Illinois Waterfalls article and wonder if there were anymore waterfalls to discover in Southern Illinois? The answer is a resounding, YES! Southern Illinois is the capital for intermittent waterfalls in Illinois. The make up of the Shawnee Hills, with it resistant sandstone bluffs and hilly topography, makes it a treasure-trove... Read More
3 Great Places To Spend A 3 Day Weekend In Southern Illinois
3 Great Places To Spend A 3 Day Weekend In Southern Illinois Are you getting ready for 3-day weekend this week? If so, here are some great places in Southern Illinois to spend 3 days exploring the natural side of the Shawnee Hills. 1. Giant City State Park This 4,000 acre state park is one of the best places to visit in Southern Illinois. It boasts 7 hiking trails that explore varied areas of the park. Here’s a couple of my favorites: Trillium... Read More
5 Cool Videos of Southern Illinois Waterfalls
5 Cool Videos of Southern Illinois Waterfalls - by Gary Marks Have you ever wondered where are the best places to see waterfalls in Southern Illinois? You’re Not Alone. Recently we have seen a huge spike in readers interested in those elusive Illinois waterfalls. The waterfalls here in Southern Illinois are only intermittent and do not flow throughout the year. The best times to see these waterfalls are in the spring and late fall when the... Read More
Cedar Creek – Winter Series
February 7 - by Gary Marks A Dream What I see before me is a masterpiece, created by a great unseen artist. I look around trying to take in every single detail, but I am soon overwhelmed. I feel as though I am walking through a dream and will soon wake up and all of this will be gone, but it is not a dream. The temperatures hover around the 30′s and I know that within a matter of time this great piece of canvas will be wiped clean. ... Read More
