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…
Whimsical Christmas lights reflecting off a lake are found at Lebanon’s Winter Wonderland drive-thru light display at Horner Park. Thousands of lights can be seen here with many scenes of the holiday season. We entered through a maze of lights of different colors. Then came across a hand-carved gingerbread village with gingerbread frolicking all around. Passed by a train with a teddy bear, candy cane,…
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…
Keokuk, Iowa’s “City of Christmas” lights display made the list of the Top 50 Christmas Light Displays in America. It contains over one million lights. Over 20,000 vehicles make it through the lights each year. We did find ourselves in a small backup, but it was well-regulated and we didn’t have to wait long to enter the lights. I was impressed with the variety of lights along with…
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…
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…
