Walk through gardens and through grottos at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Ill., and in winter, see a huge lighting display. Overview The walk covers 2.25 miles along quiet roads and sidewalks, with some hills that add up to 262 feet of elevation gain. It took me about 48 minutes to finish. The Shrine includes a church, a natural…
Capitol Reef National Park features a canyon wall that resembles the U.S. Capitol, along with historic sites and home-made apple pie, and is located in Utah’s south-central desert. The national park surrounds a long wrinkle in the earth known as the Waterpocket Fold, with layers of golden sandstone, canyons, and striking rock formations. We visited this national park on our way back to Salt Lake…
The Island in the Sky at Canyonlands National Park sits high on a 1500-foot mesa, and the name really fits; it is fantastic to see. We spent part of a day at Canyonlands National Park, which allowed us to have lunch in Moab and check out other unique areas nearby. Before the Park On the right, you can stop at the Intestine Man Petroglyph before…
While exploring Queeny Park, I discovered horses jumping obstacles across hilly terrain, as well as shoreline walks near tranquil ponds. Up on the Hill I turned into the park off Weidman Road and then made the first left onto a road that led to a parking lot upon the ridge in the park. Starting the Hawk Ridge Trail I headed down a short trail from…
Arches National Park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. We had one day to see the park with our young son and opted for short hikes to keep it easy and fun for everyone. Entering the Park We entered after 4 p.m., so we didn’t need a timed admission. This is required and done…
Take a walk through Elsah, a 19th-century village of Victorian cottages on the Great River Road, Illinois Highway 100, 40 minutes north of St. Louis. The village is in a narrow valley tucked between towering river bluffs along the Mississippi River. This paved 1.5-mile walk has 66 feet of elevation gain along sidewalks and streets. At the Trailhead First, I parked in the parking lot…
Explore Bellefontaine Cemetery and find the limestone mausoleum built for beer baron Adolphus Busch and the grave of the famous explorer William Clark. The tour covered about 1.5 miles on paved roads, with a few hills to walk up and down. I joined a Bellefontaine Cemetery Walking Tour led by Master Guide Cathleen. She showed us the graves of Civil War generals and members of…
Follow a paved path that winds through 150 different types of trees and plants at the Bethalto Arboretum in Illinois. The arboretum is next to Central Park, where parking is available and the path begins. This peaceful area was once a railroad route near downtown Bethalto, but now it’s a welcoming green space. The walk through Central Park and Bethalto Arboretum is 1.3 miles round-trip…
Larue-Pine Hills boasts stunning views and features Snake Road, a migratory route for snakes in spring and fall. This area is part of the Shawnee National Forest and has a diverse habitat to explore. SNAKE ROAD MIGRATION This area is perhaps most famous for the biannual “Snake Migration” across the Larue Road at the base of the bluffs, adjacent to LaRue Swamp. This road is…
Take a hike crossing back and forth over a pebble-filled creek, and then let the kids play on a unique playground at Crestwood Park. This is a 0.8-mile walk in Crestwood, Mo., on a paved surface with 56 feet of elevation gain. It is stroller and kid-friendly. Start of the Walk I parked in the lot off of Meadowfern Drive. Paved trails go throughout the…
