7 More Easy Spring Wildflowers You Can Identify on Your Next Hike in Southern Illinois
7 More Easy Spring Wildflowers You Can Identify on Your Next Hike - by Gary Marks Have you went through the last list of 8 Easy Wildflowers You can Identify and find yourself discovering wildflowers that were not on the list? This article expands upon on the 8 and brings you 7 More Easy Wildflowers to Identify. As our last article on wildflowers was two weeks ago, some of the them are hard-to-find now, like Bloodroot and Trout Lilies, but this group... Read More
How You Can Take Awesome Spring Photos this Season in the Shawnee National Forest & Illinois State Parks
How To Take Awesome Spring Photos this Season - by Gary Marks Have you ever went for a Great Spring Hike and snapped a bizillion photos only to be disappointed when you get home and viewed them? Do you end up showing people these photos and saying something like, “You had to be there.” You’re not alone, but over the years I’ve learned a few simple tricks to turn those “had to be there” photos into ones that will... Read More
Bell Smith Springs – Winter Return – Part 4 – Finale
January 11, 2010 Missed Part 1 of Bell Smith Springs – Winter Return? Click here to read. Missed Part 2 of Bell Smith Springs – Winter Return? Click here to read. Missed Part 3 of Bell Smith Springs – Winter Return? Click here to read. - by Gary Marks The Finale First of all, I would like to thank you the reader for continuing to read the articles on Bell Smith Springs. This will absolutely be the final post for the Winter... Read More
Bell Smith Springs – Grand Staircase & Natural Bridge – Part II
This series, Notes from the Trail, focuses on thoughts and events that happen with the interactions in nature. Did you miss part one? Click on the following link to get caught up on all the action – Bell Smith Springs: Part One – Devils Backbone. Monday July 12, 2010 I walk amongst the trees and shrubs that thrive within the canyon. In places it feels like a jungle as I move branches away from hitting me in the face. Another web wraps... Read More
Bell Smith Springs – Devils Backbone – Part I
This series, Notes from the Trail, focuses on thoughts and events that happen with the interactions in nature. Monday July 12, 2010 As I head off the main road on the outskirts of Ozark, IL, the road turns to gravel. All roads leading to my destination are made of rock bringing to this area a sense of remoteness. The truck bounces along the uneven road. The familiar clouds of dust that usually bellow from the tires are absent. Last nights... Read More
Top 3 Gottados – The Natural Bridges of the Shawnee Hills
This is the third in a series called Top 3 Gottados (Got to do). This series will spotlight interesting and unique areas that everyone enjoying the Shawnee Hills should take time to explore. The last entry into the Top 3 series we looked at the Top 3 Gottados- Easy to Get to Wildflower Hikes. This week we focus on three awe-inspiring spans of solid rock, the Top 3 Gottados- The Natural Bridges of the Shawnee Hills. All three bridges are... Read More
