The highest waterfalls in Illinois at a whopping 50+ feet!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Bridge Crossing
Crossing this bridge made my legs shake ... apparently, I'm mildly afraid of heights
A Slight Detour
Burden Falls was going to be an easy hike, which was a good thing since my ankle was acting up and prudence would dictate that I shouldn’t stress it out more than necessary. But the signage in the Shawnee Hills is, well, a bit vague. So setting off on a short walk that appeared to lead to the waterfalls, Saturday turned out to be a five-hour exploration of Burden Falls Wilderness Area.
Some lessons learned:
1. Always carry a map
2. The people of southern Illinois are remarkably diverse. There was the creepy house whose residents had screwed turkey legs into the steps leading to their home; and the duo who gave helpful directions, and then came back and offered us a ride, shaving off an additional two hours of walking
3. It is almost always more fun to get lost with company, as long as the companion doesn’t whine incessantly
4. Sometimes it pays to drive just a little further; your destination might actually be around the next bend
Some lessons learned:
1. Always carry a map
2. The people of southern Illinois are remarkably diverse. There was the creepy house whose residents had screwed turkey legs into the steps leading to their home; and the duo who gave helpful directions, and then came back and offered us a ride, shaving off an additional two hours of walking
3. It is almost always more fun to get lost with company, as long as the companion doesn’t whine incessantly
4. Sometimes it pays to drive just a little further; your destination might actually be around the next bend
A Week in Review
Monday
- Climbed a bridge
- Fought and lost a battle with a green briar
Tuesday
- Tripped over barb wire fence
- Pulled off tick #3 for the season
- Was scared half to death by a gray tree frog hiding behind one of my cameras
Wednesday
- Got the truck stuck and relieved Carolyn from being known as the only field tech to have gotten the truck stuck in the ‘09 season
- Relearned how to drive a stick shift
Thursday
- Right ankle decided to act up
Friday
- Right ankle caused much pain
Saturday
- Got ridiculously lost on a hike, and walked many, many miles back to trailhead
- Discovered an irrational fear of heights
- Had my first drive-in Sonic experience
- Polished off a ½ pound BBQ pulled pork sandwich, with great relish
Sunday
- Bought ankle brace; day of rest
- Climbed a bridge
- Fought and lost a battle with a green briar
Tuesday
- Tripped over barb wire fence
- Pulled off tick #3 for the season
- Was scared half to death by a gray tree frog hiding behind one of my cameras
Wednesday
- Got the truck stuck and relieved Carolyn from being known as the only field tech to have gotten the truck stuck in the ‘09 season
- Relearned how to drive a stick shift
Thursday
- Right ankle decided to act up
Friday
- Right ankle caused much pain
Saturday
- Got ridiculously lost on a hike, and walked many, many miles back to trailhead
- Discovered an irrational fear of heights
- Had my first drive-in Sonic experience
- Polished off a ½ pound BBQ pulled pork sandwich, with great relish
Sunday
- Bought ankle brace; day of rest
Thursday, March 26, 2009
St. Louis Arch
And though I was somehow determined not to like it, I found its simple sleek design quite stunning.
St. Louis Redux
Who knew that an old friend from NYC was born and bred in St. Louis. Returning home for his great aunt’s 105th birthday, Rich gave this visitor a tour of his hometown, which included a stroll though the neighborhoods of Tennessee Williams and T.S. Elliot.
First stop: New Cathedral Basilica – apparently the largest single assembly of mosaics in the world.
Next: Soulard Market, the oldest farmer’s market west of the Mississippi, where I bought some local honey. Laclede’s Landing restored waterfront reminded me of Brooklyn’s DUMBO – hip restaurants in former warehouses and cobblestone streets.
First stop: New Cathedral Basilica – apparently the largest single assembly of mosaics in the world.
Next: Soulard Market, the oldest farmer’s market west of the Mississippi, where I bought some local honey. Laclede’s Landing restored waterfront reminded me of Brooklyn’s DUMBO – hip restaurants in former warehouses and cobblestone streets.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Recreation in Earnest
The sudden realization that I am more than halfway through the season has kicked me into high gear. I have trails to hike and places to see. And under two months to cover it all.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
March: Midway Point
It’s hard to believe I’m more than halfway done with my field season. When you are being challenged, engaged and properly immersed in a project, time flies. The “dreaded” setup week for March was a breeze now that the work is familiar and the workers more efficient and proficient.
The sites being surveyed this month range the gamut. Half are private sites with low percentage forest cover and warm landowners, who send me off with yogurt and pecan snack bags. The other half is dense public forests with rugged bluffs, creeks and abysmal road conditions.
Spring comes early in southern Illinois. Daffodils have started to bloom, the forest is alive with birdcalls and temperatures rising to T-shirt weather – a beautiful thing.
The sites being surveyed this month range the gamut. Half are private sites with low percentage forest cover and warm landowners, who send me off with yogurt and pecan snack bags. The other half is dense public forests with rugged bluffs, creeks and abysmal road conditions.
Spring comes early in southern Illinois. Daffodils have started to bloom, the forest is alive with birdcalls and temperatures rising to T-shirt weather – a beautiful thing.
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