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Ferne Clyffe State Park – A Secret Oasis in Southern Illinois
Many people think of Illinois as “flyover country.” They believe the state is nothing but flat and boring farm fields as far as the eye can see. While much of the state is geographically monotonous, far southern Illinois is drastically different. This rugged area is known as the Illinois Ozarks. Rising bluffs, trickling waterfalls, and jagged rocks create a lush and varied landscape worthy of exploration. Tucked away near the bottom of the state, Ferne Clyffe State Park has been…
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Visit to Casey, Illinois-The Little Town of Big Things
At first glance the tiny town of Casey appears just like any other location in small town America. Like many small towns, this spot just off I-70 in eastern Illinois has seen a loss in population and manufacturing as people and jobs moved on to bigger cities. However, the town of Casey has reinvented itself in a big way. It all started when one of the residents decided to try and fight the decline by attracting more attention and business…
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Explore the Devil’s Honeycomb at Missouri’s Hughes Mountain Natural Area
This Devil’s Honeycomb hike at Hughes Mountain is one of Missouri’s most unique trails. When I post photos from this spot online, people are often surprised to learn that such a place exists in Missouri! Now you can know about the unusual landscape and beautiful views from this easy and kid friendly hike. The Hughes Mountain trail’s main feature is the rock formation at the top known as Devil’s Honeycomb. The landscape was created as molten rock cracked and cooled.…
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Boo Castle Park
Anytime we hike at nearby Giant City State Park, we make a stop at Boo Memorial Castle Park near Carbondale. The park was created in memory of a boy who loved Dungeons & Dragons. This privately owned park is free and open to the public to visit. Donations are encouraged to help maintain the park. The park features beautiful gardens, statues, and a huge castle playground. We are always completely blown away at how nicely maintained and well made this…
