Explore Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, an ancient six-square-mile city of 20,000 people and filled with huge man-made mounds. These mysterious mounds were abandoned around 1400 A.D. This walk includes Monks Mound which rises 100 feet above the surrounding land. A massive building once stood on the summit where a principal chief would live, conduct ceremonies, and govern. Located near Collinsville, IL. and the intersection…
Hike the Confluence Trail in Alton along the Mississippi River where you can search the sky for eagles and watch the barges ply the river. This is a 5.2-mile out-and-back walk on a paved trail that starts near the Melcin Price Lock and Dam and ends on the riverfront in Alton. It has only 69 feet of elevation gain and is stroller-friendly. The full Madison…
Hike by a pond then down through the woods to a creek ending at the Nickel Plate Trail in Greenspace North and Schon Park in Glen Carbon, Ill. This is a 2.3-mile hike on a paved trail that has a large hill with 144 feet of elevation gain. It took me about 52 minutes to complete. I walked the trail system that goes through the…
Rim Rock National Recreation Trail has cliffs, views, and canyons to explore. It is near the Garden of the Gods and is worth exploring. Overview Purchased for the Shawnee National Forest in 1936. Designated a national recreation trail in 1980 because of its exceptional scenic beauty and historic values. To early settlers, this unique formation was known as “the Pounds,” an old English term meaning…
The 2023 Top Ten Hikes include a former train tunnel, a white sand lake, unique rock formations, and cliff-top river views. I chose them based on length, how much I enjoyed them, and what natural beauty I saw. (Blog Photo- Don Robinson State Park) Fall Hikes: Don Robinson State Park See a sandstone canyon with its cave-like rock shelter and cross-clear trickling streams at Don…
In 2023 I read not only books on hiking but also what you can forage in the woods along with hikes in the Midwest. Word of Warning: Be careful foraging since some edibles in the woods can be toxic. Foraging the Ozarks: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Foods in the Ozarks by Bo Brown Bo Brown is a wilderness expert and shares hundreds of…
Science City in Kansas City boasts over 300 interactive exhibits and has been named one of the top 25 science centers in the country. It consists of 92,000 square feet and is located in Kansas City’s historic Art Deco Union Station near downtown Kansas City. We went to Kansas City to see a Kansas City Mavericks Hockey game, my son plays hockey, and this was…
Near Kansas City, Missouri, Fort Osage was constructed in the early 1800s under the direction of explorer General William Clark to protect U.S. pioneers. Established in 1808 as a military outpost in the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. The fort’s purpose was to provide a military presence in the territory in order to assure Spain, France, and Great Britain that the United States meant to protect…
Explore a farm and then hike along a forested hill at Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve in Collinsville, Ill. The park showcases farming life complete with tractors, barns, and a 1930’s style Craftsman Farm House. Animals on the farm include pigs, chickens, guineas, goats, and cows. Checking Out the Farm At the front of the farm is a red barn with horse stalls and…
You can hike around the perimeter of Forest Park on the Heels Path, passing by the Zoo and Science Center, through the woods, and by many streams and lakes. This is close to a six-mile walk with 194 feet of elevation gain. This trail goes along the outer area of the park on a gravel and paved surface as is known as the Heels Path….
