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
3 Easy Ferns You Can Identify On Your Next Hike In Southern Illinois
3 Easy Ferns You Can Identify On Your Next Hike In Southern Illinois - by Gary Marks Imagine a fern. Not hard to do, right? Now try to write down exactly what that fern in your mind looks like or try to describe it in detail to a friend. Just got a little harder, didn’t it? The land of ferns tend to be a quiet bunch. No brilliant colors, no showy flowers, no edible fruit, just a lot of green foliage. If you look closer though you will... Read More
Trail of Tears State Forest – CCC Heritage Trail
This series, Notes from the Trail, focuses on thoughts and events that happen with the interactions in nature. Sunday August 1, 2010 I find myself amongst the steep hills and ravines of the Trail of Tears State Forest. The sun is low in the sky as I head out for a last-minute hike. Up to now most of the day has slipped effortlessly away as computer issues destroyed precious time. I look at my watch and notice that it is 5:30 pm. I am cutting... Read More
