Fall Colors Adventure Weekend @ Shawnee NF

[IntrepidXJ]

The original idea behind this little get together was to explore the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. I ended up heading down a day early and also checking out Turkey Bay OHV in Land Between the Lakes. We did a little camping, wheeling, hiking and geocaching this weekend. It turned out to be a perfect weekend to be outside. Anyways, here's some pictures.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Land Between the Lakes: Turkey Bay OHV (11-2-07)

Kentucky Lake

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Dropped off this travel bug we brought with us

More pictures here:

http://myxj.net/g2/v/2007_Trips/turkeybay/

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Fountain Bluff: Shawnee National Forest (11-3-07)

Checked out an area called Fountain Bluff, right along the Mississippi River. Nothing very difficult, but some good scenery (especially for Illinois).

Our meeting spot was an interesting establishment

stuck already

followed these powerlines for a short time

we had to move a number of trees out of our way, as these trails are not travelled too regularly

we even found a few rocks to access a small beach next to the Mississippi

 

[IntrepidXJ]

ate lunch here and took some more pics along the river

It was a very cool area to explore. More pictures can be found here:

http://www.myxj.net/g2/v/2007_Trips/fallcolors/fountain/

 

[IntrepidXJ]

After leaving Fountain Bluff, a few of us headed over to check out Inspiration Point.

Baja across the levee

The bluff straight ahead…….not a sight usually seen in Illinois

Views from Inspiration Point

this one taken by Amanda

 

[IntrepidXJ]

After checking out Inspiration Point, we then headed over to the Little Grand Canyon to do a little hiking. Here's a few pictures from the canyon.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

On Sunday, Amanda and I headed down to Cairo, Illinois to go to Illinois’ most Southern point…..right at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. There’s a nice park located right there.

Here’s a picture from the top of the lookout tower they built there. There was also a sun dial and some plaques about the area.

Going by

Here you can see the ripples in the water where the two rivers meet. It’s amazing how fast they were both moving.

right at the tip

When we left here, we took the backroads back to Carbondale though Shawnee again before heading home.

 

[HongerVenture]

Looks like a great trip! Nice to see someone out exploring the midwest for a change. =)

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Looks like a great trip! Nice to see someone out exploring the midwest for a change. =)

I do what I can....since I can't afford to drive out west every weekend

 

[ckkone]

Great pics!

 

[wanderer-rrorc]

sweet!! taking the fam there this weekend!!! ROAD TRIP!

 

[c_mack9]

I live in Paducah KY, its' between LBL and Shawnee. LBL is great for wheelin, and shawnee is great for hiking. There's lots to explore by foot in Shawnee.

 

[Ace Brown]

I wondered about the comment "can't afford to drive out west every weekend", knowing that you live here on the Western Slope. But then I noticed the date 2007.

I lived in Paducah then later Grand Rivers so know the area very well. Your photos brought back some good memories.