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 Giant City State Park
Michael Jeffords by deecat
1. Crab Orchard Nat. Fish & Wildlife Refuge which is a 43,000-acre nat. wildlife refuge where you have public acess & there are open hunting & fishing areas as well as a wilderness area, & three large lakes.
a. Devil's Kitchen
b. Crab Orchard
c. Little Grassy
150,000 Canadian geese use this area as a major wintering area.
The refuge contains white-tailed deer, coyote, bobcat, beaver, muskrat, southern flying squirrel, Canada goose, wood duck , small-mouthed salamander & others.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 8588 Rt 148, Marion, IL 62959, (618) 997-3344
2. Giant City State Park Large sandstone bluffs, separated by wide forested valleys are some of the landscape that you will see. Wetlands, streams, & secluded ponds also. This park contains many types of plants & nearly 300 species of vertebrates, 52 different types of reptiles & in the Makanda entrance area, some of the best natural woodland wildflowers in Illinois. With seven different trails & paved roads hikers & drivers can both enjoy the park. When in Carbondale, take U.S. 51 south about 10 miles & turn east onto Makanda Blacktop. Follow the road through Makanda & to the park entrance. Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, 336 S. Church Rd., Makanda, IL 62958 (618) 457-4836
3. Garden of the Gods Sandstone bluffs stand 400 feet above the forest floor, providing an overview for miles of the surrounding Shawnee National Forest & Garden of the Gods Wilderness. This is one of the largest tracts of unbroken forest in Illinois. There are oak-hickory forests & dogwood, redbud, & serviceberry trees. Wildlife abounds. From Harrisburg, go south on IL Rt 34 about 12 miles to Herod. Continue 2 miles south & turn east on Karber's Ridge Rd. Go 3 miles. Signs point left to Garden of Gods. Indian Point parking lot is the first left off the entrance rd. U.S. Forest Service, Shawnee National Forest, Elizabethtown Ranger District, R.R. 2, Box 4, Elizabethtown, IL 62931 (618)287-2201 Leave a Comment Address: see text
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 Locating Shawnee National
Forest by deecat
Most of the best recreational areas are within the 300,000-acre forest, which has its headquarters in Harrisburg, Illinois,. It also has numerous ranger stations, wildlife refuges, state parks, and recreation areas within its boundaries. (There are seven wilderness areas where motorized & mechanized equipment is prohibited).
These areas are:
Bald Knob, Clear Springs, Garden of the Gods, Bay Creek, Lusk Creek, Burden Falls, & Panther Den).
What is so great about the forest is that it provides open space with public access to enjoy fresh air, peaceful & restful settings, natural beauty, interesting historic sites, and incredibly beautiful scenic landscapes.
Public big-game hunting is available as well as long distance pedestrian/equestrian trails, bird watching, rock-climbing/rappelling, beach recreation, and two National Scenic Byways (Ohio River & Great River Road). The Shawnee National Forest provides the largest acreages of wilderness & roadless areas in Illinois.
All the seasons are beautiful here:
Spring brings abundant blooming dogwoods, redbuds, and wildflowers.
Fall brings a saturation of color.
Summerbrings full foliage, warm star-studded nights, and abundant wildlife.
Winterare mild and bring the beauty of snow sifted trees and foliage.
Don't miss the natural beauty of one of Illinois' most beautiful areas..the Shawnee National Forest Leave a Comment Phone: 518-253-7114 or (800)526-1500
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 Alto Pass's Root Beer Saloon by deecat
1. The Cross of Peace is a man-made cross that sits atop Bald Knob Mt & can be seen for miles. It's a non-denominational site where people come to worship or view the Southern countryside. A gigantic cross which reaches 112 feet high & 63 feet across (that makes it the largest Christian monument in North America!)
Wayman Presley raised the money himself to have the cross built in 1963. Call (618) 893-2344.
2. Burden Falls Don't miss the tallest waterfall in Illinois. It has access to Burden Falls Wilderness Area close to Bell Springs. Call Vienna Ranger District: (618) 658-2111
3. Fountain Bluff has rock walls (at the north end of Big Hill) marked with Prehistoric carvings.
Turn east off Illinois Rt. 3 onto Gorham Rd, drive 1.2 miles to 2nd St & turn left. Go2 blocks to Lake St., turn east. go about 1 mile on a gravel rd. to the petroglyphs
4. Makanda Boardwalk is a block of storefronts from the 1890s that, fortunately, have been saved & restored. They provide shop space for local craftspeople & artisans. Makanda, a quaint village, is located inside Giant City State Park just south of Carbondale.
5. Northwest Passage Rootbeer Saloon An old-fashioned rootbeer saloon located in Alto Pass. The saloon offers 3 draft rootbeers, 250 types of coffee, specialty herbs, tons of antiques & art. They serve seafood specialties including lobster & crawfish. Enjoy the festive environment.
6. Ferne Clyffe St Park What a place this is with sandstone outcrops, bluffs, streams, a waterfall, & a lake. It has sixteen trails that run through the park, & they range from 0.25 mile to 8 miles in length. These trails vary from easy to difficult, & some trails contain steep climbs and/or stairs.
From Goreville, go one mile south on Illinois Rt 37. Entrance on the west side.
Illinois Dept of Natural Resources. P.O. Box 10, Goreville, IL 62939 (618) 995-2411 Leave a Comment Address: see text
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 Outside Wrigley Field by deecat
Bucktown is the more exclusive of the two. I always say that it is for the "yuppie elite", but I still enjoy the great boutiques, wine bars, & restaurants.
Thank goodness one link is left to the once Polish neighborhood in the impressive St. Mary of the Angels Church at Hermitage & Cortland.
Wicker Park is more "hip & young". It has quirky restaurants, dance clubs, bars, record stores, & wild boutiques.
Wicker Park was not damaged by the Great Chicago Fire; many grand houses still remain. The famed writer, Nelson Algren's, old home remains(not open to the public).
For a colorful walk, try both Bucktown & Wicker Park with all their unusual "nooks & crannies".
The North side area known as Lake View and Lincoln Park North, is where Wrigley Field (area usually called "Wrigleyville) makes its home! It is the most difficult place to find a parking spot.
Besides the ball park, there are many bars & shops that cater to sport's fans; to the north on Halsted is a strip known as Boystown that caters predominantly to gays. Regardless of your sexual orientation, this strip has wonderful restaurants where all types like to go.
Around Clark & Belmont, it is somewhat "grungy" with tattoo parlors, leather shops, & cheap eateries. But, the closer to the lake you go, the cleaner it becomes.
Lincoln Park North is filled with quaint shops, good restaurants & some tourist attractions such as the Biograph Theater where John Dillinger met his end. There are serene parks, Belmont Harbor for viewing the sail boats, & people watching. This is one of the best neighborhoods to relax, but the bars & clubs also provide exciting nite adventures. Leave a Comment
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 Follow These Signs in
River-To-River Trail by deecat
The Shawnee National Forest covers most of the east-west portions, passing near the spectacular Garden of the Gods Recreation and Wilderness Area, Panther Den Wilderness Area, Lusk Creek Canyon National Scenic Area, Ferne Clyffe State Park, and Giant City State Park. I feel lucky that I lived in and went to school in Southern Illinois because most people who live in Chicago area don't even know about this incredible area.
On this trail, you see blufftop vistas, open plains, wetland bayous, deep forest, & rocky streams. Some of the trail is on roadways, but some also enters remote wilderness areas.
The length of The River-to-River Trail prevents most people from traveling the entire trail; thus, sections have been created and maintained and maps and information is available. It would take an average hiker 14 or more days to complete, so I suggest a portion at a time.
The River-to-River Trail is the Illinois section of the American Discovery Trail that extends coast to coast and connects six national scenic trails, ten national historic trails, twenty-three national recreational trails, and hundreds of local and regional trails. It also connects 14 national parks and 16 national forests.
Hikers really need to take with them:
a. compass
b. map
Since the River-toRiver Trail Society maintains the trails, you can get from them a big guide for $23.00. (River-to-River Trail Society, 1142 Winkleman Road, Harrisburg, ILa 62946.) Leave a Comment Address: See Text
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 by traveldave
One of the most popular events in Chicago takes place on Saint Patrick's Day, when the Chicago River is dyed green. The rest of the year, sightseeing boats travel up and down the river, offering visitors great views of Chicago's architecture. Leave a Comment
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 by traveldave
The Loop is where most of Chicago's large banks, insurance companies, law firms, corporations, and commodities markets are located. Some of the sights in the Loop that would appeal to tourists include the Sears Tower, large outdoor sculptures, restaurants and pubs, and architecture in general. Leave a Comment
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 Chicago Brauhaus
Restaurant, Lincoln
Square by deecat
Two of my favorite spots in Chicago happen to be Andersonville and Lincoln Square. Lincoln Square used to be the old German neighborhood. It's much more diverse today....the German influence still exists in the German Fest celebrations each year, the German Restaurants that still exist, and some of the architecture. It's a real family neighborhood with strict regulations to avoid gentrification. If a home is torn down, only a single family home can be built. If a two-flat is torn down, either a single family home or another two-flat can be built. There are many positives to this area....a vibrant area with a multi-ethnic group of restaurants such as Indian, Moraccan, Chinese, Italian, German, and American. One of the most famous restaurants is the Chicago Brauhaus on North Lincoln Avenue The Old Town Music Center is here; the library is huge and well managed; the parks are beautiful and always busy; the Davis Movie Theater was renovated and still offers first-run movies. The tree-lined streets invite nightly walks and family togetherness. It's a super place to live.
Andersonville is another Northside neighborhood a bit further north than Lincoln Square. It's the old Swedish neighborhood that is much more diverse today. The Swedish Bakery still thrives and is an excellent place to purchase cakes, cookies, and Limpa Bread. There is a Swedish Museum , Swedish Deli , and several muti-ethnic restaurants. It's also a great place to eat in one of the many outdoor cafes in the summer months. It's close to a train stop. safe. and fun. Another super place to live. Leave a Comment
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 Ulysses S. Grant Home in
Galena by deecat
Galena has three main levels with the business district on the lowest level (it is elevated slightly above the Galena River). The second level is where many of the churches and large homes stand (Bench Street). The third level is where there is a high school, more churches, and more homes (Prospect Street).
While in Galena, be sure to see:
1. Ulysses S. Grant Home State Historic Site
500 Bouthillier Street
2. The Galena Antique & Shopping District along Main Street.
3. Galena/Jo Daviess Co. Historical Museum
211 South Bench Street
4. The Old General Store Museum
223 S. Main
5. The Old Market House St. Historic Site
423 N. Commerce
6. The Dowling House
220 Diagonal Street
(oldest home in Galena)
7. Vinegar Hill Lead Mine & Museum
six miles north of town at:
8885 North Three Pines Road
8. Galena Post Office & Custom House
(1858 Nauvoo limestone structure)
Second oldest continuously operating
US Post Office Leave a Comment Phone: 877-464-2536 (toll free)
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 aCrown Fountain at
Millennium Park by deecat
If you are in Chicago in the summer, you will be treated to many free concerts, Taste of Chicago, & several other festivals.
At the northwestern corner of Grant Park, you can visit the wonderful Art Institute. I am partial, but I love the newly completed Millennium Park just north of Grant Park. South of Grant Park is Museum Campus with 3 of the city's most popular attractions: Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, & Field Museum..
WEST LOOP is where many of the symbols of Chicago reside: The Sears Tower, James R. Thompson Center, the deco Board of Trade.
South of downtown on Dearborn is Printer's Row with its art area, luxury lofts, & great restaurants. Oh, don't forget, this is also where Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios is located
Magnificent Mile is the tract of Michigan Avenue with its manicured walkways, expensive hotels, boutique shops, & vertical malls. It goes from The Chicago River to Oak Street Perhaps
Water Tower Place Shopping Mall is the most famous shopping area. Don't forget to stop at the famed Garrett Popcorn Shop for a taste treat you won't soon forget.
In this area, you will see: Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Water Tower, John Hancock Center. Navy Pier with museums, tours, restaurants, stores, & a huge Ferris Wheel with fire works galore in the evenings is here too. Lastly, for a "bar hopper's paradise", try Rush Street (northwest from the Water Tower).
River North serves two purposes: it is an art-scene area in the daytime & a place to eat & dance at night. At night it is an assemblage of bars, popular eateries, & clubs. Garish locales like Rainforest, Hard Rock Cafe, Ed Debevic's, & Rock'nRoll McDonalds attract some people. I prefer Gene & Georgetti, Chicago's oldest steak house.
Also in this area is a favorite of mine: Marina City Towers. The House of Blues chain is also located at Marina Towers. Leave a Comment
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