Shawnee National Forest - A local treasure

Spring weather can be a beautiful time to get outdoors and visit natural areas near to home. I'm lucky to live in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest. 

Growing up in this area the Shawnee Forest has always been there, a part of my life. As a child and young adult I spent many days camping, hiking, horseback riding and riding ATVs in the woods of southern Illinois. When I was younger I noticed the beauty of the place but I think I failed to fully appreciate it. As I got older and busier with kids and work I had less and less time for adventures in the woods. I took my kids when they were younger but they reached that age where trips with Mom weren't the most desired and friends won out. At least I instilled a love of nature in them while they were young that seems to have continued to this day. Then I was busy with work and returning to school for an advanced degree. My interests evolved into other activities and I rarely camped, hiked or visited the Shawnee Forest. Thankfully my daughter is now trying to teach her children the joys of nature and I've been drawn back into it. Now I'm rediscovering my love of the outdoors and time spent in nature. 

A few weeks ago I went with my daughter and her kids to Rim Rock Trail in Southern Illinois just east of Garden of the Gods. There is a shorter loop hike that returns you back to the trail head or you can go further and hike to Pounds Hollow Lake which is the trail that we took. I can't believe in all the years I've lived in this area that I have never been to either of these two places before. 

The shorter loop hike is 0.8 miles and paved. This hike is less strenuous but includes remnants of a stone wall built by prehistoric natives, an observation deck and some interpretive signs. A small picnic area and pit toilets are located near the parking lot at the beginning of the trail. 

At the observation deck you can choose to descend stairs to the lower trail that leads to Pounds Hollow lake. On descending the stairs you weave through the rocks like a "fat mans squeeze" until you reach the lower trail. This trail is unpaved and wanders along the base of the bluffs for over a half mile. On the way to the lake you will see Ox Lot Cave. An interpretive sign indicates this is where 19th century loggers kept their horses and oxen but I'm sure it was used for shelter by people for many years prior to that. 

The trail continues and gradually leaves the bluffs and meanders along the lakeside. The trail eventually opens out into the Pounds Hollow recreational area. There is a designated swimming area roped off with a sandy beach and a dock. This area can also be reached easily by the road with a parking lot up a flight of stairs from the beach. Just above the beach is a covered picnic area and toilets. All toilet facilities were closed when we visited due to Covid-19. 

The hike from Rim Rock trail head to Pounds Hollow lake and back was about 3 miles. On our return we took an alternate trail that wound around the other side of the rocky bluffs before returning to the parking lot. The scenery is beautiful and the hiking has moderate elevation changes and some steps. There are small streams with bridges to cross over and cliff overhangs to explore if you dare. 

If you're interested in directions or more information about Rim Rock Trail you can view the USDA trail information here:  

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/shawnee/recarea/?recid=10691  

Or Shawnee Forest has hundreds of other beautiful trails throughout southern Illinois offering both day hiking and backpacking adventures. Paper trail maps are available at Ranger stations which are now closed. I ordered mine by downloading the order form from this website: 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/shawnee/maps-pubs. Alternative apps for smartphones are also available with trail maps and information. 

Last week it was back to the trails for more time in nature. This time I went with a friend and our cameras. I was trying to figure out settings on my camera while enjoying the day with a great friend in a beautiful setting. We chose to hike at Fern Cliff State Park which is also part of Shawnee National Forest. There are many hiking trails to choose from with plenty of scenic interest including bluffs, waterfalls and lakes. It was a fun day and I got some good photography practice. Hiking ended with a picnic lunch lakeside before returning home. 

Fern Cliff is a beautiful state park near Goreville, Illinois that includes a campground and several picnic areas. Available activities include hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, hunting and fishing.  Reservations for the campground like all Illinois state park campgrounds can be made through the Reserve America website. Additional information is available on their website https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/FerneClyffe.aspx. 

Please remember to be safe in your hiking adventure. Due to the remoteness of many of these locations rescue is not always quick. Every year I read of persons falling off cliffs or getting lost and just this morning I read of a car overturned on one of these remote roads. Aside from this are other risks from weather, wildlife, plants, etc. I don't write this to scare anyone away from all that Shawnee Forest has to offer but to advise that with proper planning and preparation you can make unforgettable memories with your family or friends. 

"And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul."

John Muir

For the Love of Grandchildren !

Grandchildren are on my mind this week. There is almost always something going on when you have them. 

When you think you have life somewhat figured out grandchildren turn your world around and change your perspective on what is important. Before I had grandchildren my husband and I took some marvelous vacations, just the two of us. Our kids were older and no longer wanting to travel with us and we had so much fun with that freedom. Then the grand kids started coming. They were all born in North Carolina and lived there for 6 years before moving back home. All of my vacations from that point forward were geared toward visiting them. Sometimes we worked it into a vacation such as meeting halfway or going to the beach with them. I wouldn't trade those trips for all the European vacations in the world. I hated leaving them and returning home and hated the thought that I was missing out on school music programs, ballgames and overnights at my house. I can see why many couples retire early and move to live closer to their children. I was so fortunate that my family moved closer to me. 

Like any grandparent I LOVE my grandchildren. I think having grandchildren is one of the most awesome experiences of my life. I can't say that I love them more than my own children but I do love them differently. Again I can look at children and see their unique talents and wonder at how their lives will develop and who they will become. I marvel at their imagination and eagerness to learn and do new things. The treat is that I don't bear that same responsibility that parents feel toward their children. But I do have a responsibility to them. Grandparents should show children that love is unconditional and reinforce to them their originality. We should help them to develop self esteem and self confidence that they can rely on in the future when they are adults and facing difficult choices. And we can share family stories that only we know. 

Our world has gotten so mobile that families don't stay together like they used to in the same community, sometimes even in the same house, for generations. I wonder frequently and think we've lost something by having such a mobile society. My grandmother lived a block from my house and 2 aunts/uncles lived in houses between ours and hers. Both my parents worked but when my sister and I came home from school or during summer break I had my grandmother and 2 aunts that were close and always home to watch out for me. No need for a strange babysitter. And it was free. I paid them with my love. And I'm sure Mom and Dad did favors for them in return. What a great system that was! Flash forward to the next generation and I didn't live quite so close to my parents but did remain in the same community to raise my children. My Mom and Dad came to see their grandchildren almost every day. They even moved closer to me to enable more time with them. I can't imagine what I would have done without them and all the assistance they provided in raising my kids. Not just babysitting but transportation, meals, homework help, teaching skills - in truth just being there when needed. 

So I am glad my children live in this same community and I hope that I can be half as good a grandparent as my parents and grandmother were. And spending more quality time with my grandchildren is high on my bucket list when I retire. 

I think I'm learning as much from my grandchildren as I hope they are learning from me. I've learned how precious time is when I see how fast they grow and change. My whole outlook on healthy living has changed so I can hopefully be around longer to watch them continue to grow. I've learned that a clean and orderly home is not necessary. It's much more important to spend that time with them or my husband or doing something rewarding for myself than it is to spend time being a slave to my house. I've learned to be creative and live in the moment. I can see life through a child's eyes again and it's a wonderful thing!

I started out saying they were on my mind. I should have said on my mind, in my house, eating my food, etc. Of course, I love it. This weekend started with overnights and ballgames. Friday my oldest grand daughter cheered, played basketball AND sang the National Anthem at her grade school's games. She was wonderful. She made all A's on her report card too. Then she woke at home yesterday with pain in her abdomen. It turned out to be appendicitis. She's had her appendix out now and will be released today to go home. My husband and I watched the 2 younger ones so Mom and Dad could be with her. So yesterday was filled with golf, basketball, hover board and pizza! It was hard not to be there at the hospital but as grandparents we do what is needed and I'm glad we're here for them. I'm sure she'll pull through and be back to her usual self soon. 

heading out for shopping and lunch

mastering chopsticks

fun on the hover board

team spirit