A short hike through the woods leads to wooden stepping stones and a homemade bridge at Julius J. Knobeloch Woods Nature Preserve. Overview This 0.7-mile hike is found just off Illinois 158 between Mascoutah and Belleville. This area features upland woods of white oak and hickories alongside a wet floodplain. The water from this ravine flows into Hazel Creek. At the Trailhead We parked near…
O’Day Park in O’Fallon, Missouri, features a unique adventure playground with a web-like ropes course, a climbing wall, and paved trails. Playground Fun at O’Day Park After parking, my son and I headed to the artificial turf play area, which includes a roller slide, hammock, and a rope climbing area anchored by poles. Located nearby are baby and toddler swings. A splash pad features flowing…
Santa, Rudolph, and lake-themed Christmas lights can be seen at numerous light displays during Christmas time at the Lake of the Ozarks. We checked out two drive-through Christmas lights while we were staying the night in the area in December. Along with the lights, hiking to springs, a castle, and through the woods along the lake can also be enjoyed. Enchanted Village of Lights In…
Discover a historic stone arch bridge, cascading waterfalls, and scenic views at Fall Creek Scenic Overlook Park. It is located south of Quincy, Illinois, near the intersection of Illinois Highway 57 and Interstate 174. Overview The hike is 1.8 miles long with a 190-foot elevation gain. I found the trail difficult due to significant elevation changes, and it is poorly marked and overgrown in some…
Walking along Pickle Creek with its rapids and small waterfalls made for an enchanting hike as the creek gurgled beside me at Hawn State Park. Overview of Hawn State Park This 4,656-acre park has it all with sandy-bottom streams, stately pine, and oak trees along with exposed rock areas throughout the park. Hawn State Park was named for Helen Coffer Hawn, who had been a…
Deer Creek Greenway meanders alongside the picturesque Deer Creek, passing through suburban neighborhoods and landscapes adorned with native plants. I walked 4.2 miles out and back along this paved trail, which has 177 feet of elevation gain. It crosses Deer Creek several times and currently ends in Lorraine Davis Park, honoring an influential African American teacher. Starting the Walk I parked in the lot for…
On the Zombie West Trail, go into a shallow cave below a cliff overhang and listen to the sound of a dripping waterfall. This is a 7.2-mile hike with 443 feet of elevation gain, and I would rate it as difficult in parts due to hills and rocky terrain. However, there are some easy sections along the valley section of the walk. This trail is…
Heartland Park includes the destination playground, Jake’s Field of Dreams, and a paved trail around a lake and prairie in Wentzville, Mo. My son explored the playground first, then rode his bike while I walked the paved trail through the park. JAKE’S FIELD OF DREAMS PLAYGROUND Story of Jake Jake had always dreamed of playing sports while growing up, but his early diagnosis of Duchenne…
Hike along paved paths through forests and hills, passing playgrounds at James S. McDonnell Memorial County Park in St. Ann, Mo. Overview This is a 1.3-mile loop hike on an asphalt trail with a 102-foot elevation gain. It took me about 25 minutes to complete. McDonnell Park was initially called Adie Road Park. In 1980, its name was officially changed to James S. McDonnell Memorial…
A view from 300-foot high bluffs, some of the highest along the Missouri River, await you at Grand Bluffs Conservation Area near Hermann, Mo.
