Tag Archives: Nature Preserve

Heron Pond Nature Preserve~Cache River State Natural Area, Illinois

 

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Heron Pond Nature Preserve is really close to Shawnee National Forest.

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This is the Heron Pond Trail.

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It felt a little bit longer than the map said to get to the boardwalk.

But it was the toddlers nap time so that might have contributed to that feeling…

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Nick ended up having to stay at the van with Little Bit and I took the older kids to the boardwalk.

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Found it!

I was just about to turn around when we saw it!

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I am so glad we kept going because it was beautiful!

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I was really wishing for a wide angle lens!

The trees were huge!

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You could see a bunch of little trails in the duckweed.

We read later that they were snakes, turtles and such.

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It looks like you can just walk right on top of it.

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I took a picture of this honeysuckle because the previous day’s drive through Shawnee National Forest was filled with the amazing smell of it.

And we were stopped to change a flat tire…

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We did a small portion of the lookout point trail.

This is a great trail for when mosquitoes are bad.

It is right next to a cliff so it is really open and breezy but shaded.

I am always on the lookout for trails like this in Oklahoma for summer time hikes!

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My oldest took some pics.

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Siblings get the cutest smiles for pics.

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This second boardwalk was super easy to get to.

It is right off Illinois Route 37.

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Such cool trees.

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There are a lot of trails here although we only did a few.

You could spend a long time exploring.

Wilson Trail, Keystone Ancient Forest ~Prue, OK

trailAfter we heard that the Keystone Ancient Forest had a new trail open we decided to go check it out.

We had gone last year when everything was dormant and were not sure it was for us because the trails were just too easy.

treesThe Wilson Trail was listed as very rugged though so we were pretty hopeful.

trailentranceTo get to the start of the Wilson Trail you first need to go on the Chandler Trail and then the Frank Trail.

The Wilson Trail is on the left where the fire access road and the Frank Trail intersect.

wilsontrailIt is a .90 mile loop.

wilsonwarningI thought the warning sign was good.

We really like rugged trails.

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rocksIt started dropping and having a lot of rocks.

In other words, fun!

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rocky

beautifulThis was an absolutely beautiful trail.

day12I did not want to leave.

Plop a cabin right on the that hillside for me and I would be happy as a clam(why is a clam happy?).

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upWhat goes down…

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rockwall

sunlightWe will definitely go on this one again!

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mapWe went ahead and went to the end of the Frank Trail, it ends at an overlook with information about Washington Irving’s exploration of the area.

ringneckedThis little Ring-Necked Snake was sunning on the trail.

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Yes, I laid on the ground with the snake to get a shot…

onthegroundSince we did all three trails we ended up with over 4 miles total.

They are only open on Saturday’s so be sure to check out their site before you head out.

 If you want something easy be sure to check out the Childers Trail, it is paved and only .60 miles.