Drive-by haunting church ruins, eating a German-style meal in Bavarian decor, and seeing a rainbow of autumn colors are highlights of our backwoods adventure along the Illinois Bluff Road. Each year we take a drive in the MetroEast going south on the Bluff Road towards Valmeyer, Illinois. Here you drive along the valley with the bluffs to your right with the golds, reds, and yellows of…
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 named C.H. Diehl bought Welch Spring for eight hundred dollars. He believed the spring had healing properties and that the cool pollen-free air from the nearby cave would be beneficial…
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 U.S. Route 66 and is at a major point along the Mississippi River near rock ledges that once created dangerous rapids for riverboats. Driving To Old Chain of Rocks Bridge…
Enter the world of illusions and be amazed at the Museum of Illusions St. Louis, located at the City Foundry. The museum allows you to experience unique rooms where you are not always sure what you see or where you are. 3-D Fun We entered the museum and came to the area where my son could make a 3-D image of himself with a third…
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 Gods Recreation Area you can see the high cliffs along the drive. After parking, we headed to the Observation Trail. Observation Trail This is a quarter-mile interpretive trail that leads…
Hike to Wisconsin’s highest point, Timm’s Hill, at 1,951 feet, and climb a 50-foot wooden tower for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The 0.4-mile hike is out-and-back on a natural surface with 98 feet of elevation gain on a natural surface. (We stopped here heading back from our trip to explore part of the North Shore in Minnesota and the Apostle…
Our one-day adventure to the Apostle Islands included finding a waterfall, relaxing on a beach, and seeing the sea caves. (This was our second day on our trip to explore part of the North Shore in Minnesota and the Apostle Islands.) We set out in the morning for our drive from Duluth, Minnesota, to Bayfield, Wisconsin, for our boat trip to see the Apostle Islands….
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 trails to explore. Big Rocky Hollow Trail This is a .75-mile natural surface trail that is mostly flat. Although, be prepared for some small brook crossings along the way. The…
Black sand, pebble beaches, and cliffside views were part of our second day along the North Shore of Lake Superior. (This was part of our trip to explore part of the North Shore in Minnesota and the Apostle Islands.) BLACK SAND BEACH The Black Beach Inn is, of course, not far from the Black Sand Beach. We drove to the right of the hotel along…
As we headed to the North Shore of Lake Superior to spend the night, we saw spectacular waterfalls, rapids, and a cliffside lighthouse. (This was our second day on our trip to explore part of the North Shore in Minnesota and the Apostle Islands.) Leaving Minneapolis, we stopped at two state parks before reaching the North Shore of Lake Superior. BANNING STATE PARK First, we…
