BLUE HERON POND and THE CACHE RIVER.

The trail is literally in the middle of no where. You drive a mile or two down a narrow rock road with no signs that appears to be heading to only the houses located on the road. Suddenly you come to a heavily wooded area with a parking lot and a trail head.The trail is about 1/2 mile long, very secluded, quiet and some of the most unusual sights I have ever saw.

The Cache river

Another view of the Cache river.

The bridge to blue Heron Pond

Trees with knees that reminds me of Reelfoot Lake in TN

Simply secluded beauty

Nancy likes to read signs

We had to visit Metropolis IL before heading home.

A HIKE TO RIM ROCK IN THE SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST!!!

This was an interesting trail as
you got to get up close and personal
with the formations and canyons.

The trail was about one mile
from start to finish.

Nancy is at the bottom of
steps that took us down and deep
into the canyon.

I hope you can get a feel for
how narrow this part of the trail became.

Nancy is now leading us back to the
top of the rim.

A time to rest!!!

Back on the top!!!

Crossed the Ohio river many times
but it might be first time to get
up and close to the Ohio river.

Topped the day off with a great
Catfish dinner with all the trimmings.

GARDEN of THE GODS-----PART TWO

For Nancy and I the Garden of The Gods were so spectacular that I had to share more of our pictures.

An explanation of the red bands shown on the beautiful rock formations.

Notice the red bands!!!!!

Nancy on the trail

Nancy inside of what was a cave several centuries in the past
but over the years the mountain formations has shifted.

I am inside the cave but obviously not very dark as there is
hole in the roof and the entrance is open not closed.

Time to rest!!!!!

Yes in the cave cell communications still work as I take a call from Edward.

                 OAKRIDGE MANOR B&B and THEN SOME

On our trip we spent two wonderful nights at the Oakridge Manor B&B. From the moment we were greeted by our host Anna and Bob till we said our good byes it was a terrific experience  In addition to a beautiful home located on plus one hundred acres there was an in ground pool for cooling off after a vigorous day of hiking. and beautiful landscaping amid several decks and outdoor setting areas.
Bob and Anna simply take care of the little things from a fruit and cheeses platter on your arrival to great breakfast's everything is simply first class.

Oakridge Manor

Creal Springs IL near Marion IL

Garden of the Gods near Harrisburg IL

On the trail

A spot to rest on the trail

Nancy still enjoys being on the EDGE!!!

CO Garden of the Gods may be bigger and larger
But you can get closer to the action in IL

THREE DAYS IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS WAS WONDERFUL!!!
Our getaway consisted of two nights at  Oak Manor B &B and visits to Giant City State Park, Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock Canyon, Blue Herrin Pond, swimming, eating, relaxing, and having a great time.

We are a short way into a 1/2  mile hike
on the Devil's Standtable trail.

Our trip began with a visit to the lodge at
Giant City State Park built by the CCC in the thirties.
A beautiful setting for a great meal.



We have reached the Devil's Standtable rock. Yes it looks somewhat
like a mushroom!!!

I AM STANDING UNDER A ROCK OVERHANG
THAT A LONG TIME AGO WAS SHELTER AND PROTECTION.

Nancy is standing near the entrance to a cave.

This is the out side of what once was a cave. The rock formations have shifted
and now the cave is not very deep and there is a hole in the roof.

This is a look at the Stone Fort Trail another 1/2 mile trail.
We started up this trail but the rocks and climbing
was a little hard on this 74 year old body so
we headed back down before getting to the fort.

This week I hope to share more of Nancy and I little Illinois adventure.

SOME OF Ed's FAVORITE ST LOUIS LANDMARKS!!!

On the left was the Cinderella theater. I would estimate that about forty Friday nights a year from maybe 1947 till I started driving in 1954 you would have found me at the Cinderella. Watching two feature movies, a serial, a comedy, and a newsreel. From maybe 1950 on sometimes I might have an arm around a young girl friend.

On the right top two floors is the famous Casa Loma ballroom. In the 1950's and 60's [before Terri] we would get dressed to the nines and go dancing at the Casa loma. In fact in 1958 or early 1959 Nancy and I danced to Bill Haley and the Comets.

The middle photo was once Davis Photo Supplies where I worked from January 1952 off and on till Terri was born in 1961. George Davis the owner lived upstairs until the mid fifties.

Bottom photo where the vacant space is located once stood the Granada theater. When I was a kid going to the Granada was going up town. For Nancy who lived two blocks from the Granada it would have merely been her neighborhood movie theater. Our memory of the Granada is that it was a much larger theater than the space seems to indicate.