The stone-cut walls of a barred and locked sanatorium next to Welch Spring is what I found on my journey to Ozark National Scenic Riverways. History of Welch Spring Sanatorium In 1913 an Illinois doctor…
Browsing Category Dad Hikes
Dad Hikes: Old Chain of Rocks Bridge
The mile-long Old Chain of Rocks Bridge 60-feet above the Mississippi River with a 30-degree turn midway was my quest today. This bridge is historical since it once was part of a stretch of historic…
Finding Camel Rock at Garden of the Gods
Awe-inspiring sandstone cliffs that form different shapes with views of the surrounding Shawnee Hills are what you will find at Garden of the Gods in southern Illinois. Driving In Heading into the Garden of the…
Waterfalls and Caves at Ferne Clyffe State Park
Walking along a clear stream to waterfalls and going up into the cliffs to see a cave are some of the natural treasures at Ferne Clyffe State Park. The park has a large number of…
Climbing Down to The Gulf Sinkhole
The Gulf is a massive sinkhole created by a collapsed cave found in Mark Twain National Forest about 33 miles north of Poplar Bluff. It is an amazing sight to see and worth the stop…
Lon Sanders Canyon: My Favorite Shut-Ins Short Hike
Waterfalls and shut-ins in a rocky gorge are what you will find at Lon Sanders Canyon Conservation Area in the Missouri Ozarks.
Horner Recreational Park Walk
Walk a paved path around a five-acre lake that winds through old-growth trees at Horner Recreational Park in Lebanon, Illinois. This one-mile walk has some small hills and an elevation gain of 44 feet. The…
Giant City State Park Hikes
While exploring Giant City State Park, I marveled at the massive boulders, cascading waterfalls, and the majestic Devil’s Standtable. The park is a little over two hours south of St. Louis near Carbondale, Ill. Our…
Find an Abandoned Quarry at Whitecliff Park
Whitecliff Park in Crestwood, Mo., includes an abandoned rock quarry with a cliffside pond and 40 acres of woods to explore. Whitecliff Park Trail Whitecliff Park Trail is about a mile hike along a gravel…
Dad Hikes: Illinois Mississippi River Bluffs
My journey today was to explore two trails along the bluffs on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River just south of St. Louis.
