Home Sweet Home
Written: Feb 07 '01
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Pros: Breathtaking scenery
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: A place so lovely should be cherished for all generations.
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| nerys's Full Review: Shawnee National Forest |
My family owns a farm where the back of the properity borders the National park in Tunnel Hill. The area is some of the most beautiful part of the country that I have seen in my limited travels.
One has to remember that there is more to Illinois then Chicago. Over 300 miles south of Chicago, the Park is located in "Little Egypt" named so because of the rivers that give its shape and for the story of farmers from Northern Illinois travelling to the South when their crops failed, much like the story of Joseph in the bible.
The forest was established in September of 1939 by President Roosevelt.
The Shawnee Forest offers many places for visitors to hike and explore the natural beauty of the region.
One spot is the Cache River. Perhaps the most spectacular feature of this area is the limestone cliffs that rise nearly straight up from the bottomland swamp forests that border the Mississippi River. These cliffs provide overwintering sites for the region's poisonous snake fauna, including the cottonmouth and timber rattlesnake. Tours can be taken through the swamps.
Another is the Garden of the Gods, which includes many unique rock formations such as Camel Rock, Devil's Smokestack and Sphinx face. This place is really beautiful in the fall when the leaves change.
Cave-in-Rock is yet another place recommended to visit. Along the Ohio river, this cave has a interesting history and has been put to many uses.
Also worth checking out is Little Grand Canyon. This deep ravine offers beautiful views. It is accessible by a hiking trail that descends into the forest then ascends to a bluff where the Mississippi River is visible on clear days.
The Shawnee has many places for people to hike. One is the River to River Trail, which runs between Battery Rock on the Ohio and Grand Tower on the Mississippi. Another is the Tunnel Hill Trail which begins in Vienna and runs north to West Frankfort, which covers the route of an old railroad spur. My Nana will tell stories of playing near the Tunnel Hill tunnel. The Trail of Tears also passes through the region.
There are several State Parks within the Forest. One is Giant City, located in Makanda just south of Carbondale. There are places to camp, hike, rock faces to climb, horse trails and more located here.
My favorite spot is probably Ferne Cliff, a State Park. It is much as Giant City with the same features. I have two favorite spots here. One is a trail just off of one of the camping sites. There you can go out on top of one of the rock faces and it seems as if you can see forever. The second is a trail that leads back to a water fall, so beautiful. Only problem is that you have to be careful of the rattlesnakes that lie
And for those of you in the Supernatural, it is claimed that Bigfoot lives there, though there is no proof...
I hope you visit some day because there is no place like it, but then you know what they say about Home.
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: September-November
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview
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Epinions.com ID:
nerys
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Location: Mary Esther, Florida
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Newbie Meteorologist and fledgling computer geek
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