Author: marklongmainstream (Page 61 of 174)

First off I need to warn you, this trail is not for the faint of heart. It’s an excruciating vertical hike. However, if you make it all the way to the top, it is quite a rewarding jot. To reach Millstone Bluffs in Southern Illinois take IL-145 to IL-147. In 1.4 miles look for the signage on the right for Millstone Bluffs. Continue for 0.3 miles to the parking lot and enjoy this rare glimpse into Native American History.

The area is known as Millstone Bluff, and the trail offers a unique peak into a prehistoric Native American community offers more variety than any other archaeological dig in Southern Illinois.

This Mississippian dwelling area was inhabited between 1492, when Columbus “discovered” the New World, and 1540, the year Hernando De Soto began his trek through the Southeastern United States.

If a challenging hike isn’t what your looking for, you can still view the spectacular towering bluffs from the parking lot. This really is a sight to be seen as the bluffs stick out like a sore thumb from the surrounding flat terrain.

You can hike in at the trail-head and follow the ¾ mile path to the top of the bluffs. The incline is challenging and continues gradually until it reaches the top of the 320 foot bluff; benches are available for resting and soaking in the natural woodland splendor of the surrounding area.

Once you reach the top, you can follow the trail to see some of the Midwest’s most amazing petroglyphs etched into the rock by the Mississippians almost 500 years ago including bird and spider images or follow the circular trail to the left to see what remains of this ancient settlement.

Remember to stay on the trail, to preserve these amazing prehistoric artifacts, these are some of the most well preserved and offer unique insights into Native American history.

Several other attractions are in the area, including Garden of the Gods, Jackson Falls, and the famous Rim Rock Trail.

Need lodging? Willow-Brook Cabins is nearby and offer a nice cabin experience at an affordable rate!

To reach Millstone Bluffs in Southern Illinois take IL-145 to IL-147. In 1.4 miles look for the signage on the right for Millstone Bluffs. Continue for 0.3 miles to the parking lot and enjoy this rare glimpse into Native American History.

When it comes to family fun, Great Wolf Lodge in Mason Ohio has you covered! For more information, click here. Great Wolf Lodge is located at 2501 Great Wolf Dr, in Mason Ohio.

Located near Cincinnati and Indianapolis, IN, this gorgeous resort offers indoor water park fun and exciting land attractions for the entire family. Along with the water park’s 13 slides and eight pools, your stay includes kid-friendly activities, dining options, and more — all under one roof.

One of the things that really sets this resort apart from some of the others is all the unique lodging options available. The lodge offers 13 different room options to choose from. This gives guests the flexibility to choose a room that works best for their families size and needs. They even have a few themed rooms to give you a surreal experience!

If variety is important, the lodge has 8 different restaurants to choose from. Everything from fast food to fine dining is available without even having to leave the resort.

The wide variety of exciting and active attractions offer something for everyone, from Arcade games and mini golf, to Great Wolf’s exclusive interactive adventure game, MagiQuest.

There is even 6 different stores and an incredible fitness center within the lodge.

Of course the main attraction is the world class indoor water-park.  With 13 slides and 8 different pools this is the perfect place for guests of all ages. There is even an incredible lazy river, and you can rent your own personal cabana. Cabanas come complete with luxurious seating, towels, and a host of other amenities to make your family bonding time as easy as drifting down the lazy river.

With everything considered, lodging, amenities, location, the water-park, the restaurants and shops, its easy to see why guests continue to return year after year.

For more great Ohio activities, click here.

The Rim Rock Recreation Area & Trail is located in Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois, if you haven’t already heard this area is a hotbed for outdoor adventure! To take advantage of this historic beauty, take Highway 34 to Karbers Ridge Road and turn East. Follow Karbers Ridge Road 8.3 miles to the Rim Rock entrance road. For more information, click here.

The Rim Rock area is broken up into two sections the Upper Trail and the Lower Trail.

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The Upper Trail is paved and is wheelchair accessible with assistance. The trail leads guests past the remnants of a Native American rock wall and offers stunning views of the valley below. About halfway through this trail you will find the staircase providing access to Rim Rock’s lower trail.

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The Lower Trail, is a rugged wooded and rocky trail, with steep inclines and multiple stair structures. This is a challenging hike, but its also very rewarding, as the path leads you past magnificent sites, including the Ox-Lot Cave, and Fat Man’s Squeeze. The overhang above the cave was a popular stopping point for the underground railroad and frequently sheltered livestock as travelers passed through the area.

Looking for more adventure? Take the lower trail past Ox-Lot Cave and connect with Beaver Trail to find yourself at Pounds Hollow Lake in a half mile or follow the trail around Rim Rock to circle back to the picnic area near the trail-head for a picturesque picnic lunch!

As I mentioned above, the area is a hotbed for outdoor fun. The Trail is located only a short drive away from Garden Of The Gods, and Jackson Falls. These are two of the best destinations within Shawnee National Forest, and I highly recommend visiting them as well.

Looking for lodging? I had a great experience at Willow-Brook Cabins. The cabins are very nice, affordable, and located perfectly between these popular destinations!

The Giant Goose Ranch is one of the most unique family vacation destinations in the Midwest. It is a hybrid property somewhere between a campground, a sportsman’s club, a vacation resort, a working ranch, and a private recreational farm. Giant Goose Ranch is located at 25369 N Goose Ranch Rd, in Canton, Illinois. For more information, click here. This family owned campground has World Class Fishing lakefront cabins and seasonal sites are also available.

By combining all the best attributes of each type of property, along with the creativity and conservation of the Herman Brothers, we have the ultimate recipe for family fun, outdoor education and adventure. It will take a lifetime to explore everything the ranch has to offer!

In 2013, Herman Brothers Lake and Land Management and Noah Herman Sons Builders purchased the Ranch from Little Texas Corp. and have begun renovating the Ranch and turning it into the Midwest’s Premier Fishing, Camping, and Family Recreation Property!

The rich heritage and unbelievable natural resources combined with the experiences of the new owners is the perfect recipe for success! 

The ranch is perfect for RV camping, however there are also numerous cabins of various sizes and styles available to meet your families needs!

Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway, or a summer retreat, you wont find anything quite like the Ranch to make memories that will shape your family for years to come!

The Giant Goose Ranch boasts the most diverse multi-species fishery in the entire nation! I can understand the skepticism in regards to my following comment, but its completely true: this will probably be the most successful fishing trip of your entire life. The fishing is really that good.

To see more great campgrounds in Illinois, click here.

This gorgeous A-Frame cabin is located in Harpers Ferry Iowa, and is the perfect place for your next family get-away!  For more information, or to check availability click here.

This is a fully furnished 5 bedroom with 7 beds, and 2 1/2 bathrooms, all hand built with a finished basement. Located just a few miles south of Harpers Ferry and nestled deep in the woods near the Mississippi River with frontage on Paint Creek.

The home has an open floor plan with floor to ceiling fireplace and windows overlooking the deck and pond. This is a perfect place for viewing deer, birds, squirrels, and other wildlife!

The Cabin has a large 7 person outdoor Hot Tub and a Swimming Pond with dock.

Additional features include, custom kitchen, granite counter tops, cherry cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, hickory floor throughout the great room and a fully stocked kitchen, with central Heat & AC.

Surrounding the property is 8,000 acres of the Yellow River State Forest, with miles of hiking, biking trails, and horseback riding trails. Being very secluded and private with top notch trout fishing just beyond the front doorstep.

The master suite has a tiled shower and jetted tub. The upstairs consists of a loft for additional sleeping.  The lower level has 3 Bedrooms, 1 full Bath, and Media Room/Living Area.

Outside you can enjoy the deck and full front porch with Hot Tub Jacuzzi and gas grill.  Tranquil waterfalls flow beside the cabin down into a large Swimming Pond with diving board and floating dock.

Please note there are no fish in the pond and as with any other waterfront property, small children MUST wear a life-jacket and be supervised by an adult when near it.

You can also relax on the hammock and listen to the beautiful chorus of the native Eastern Grey Tree Frogs and cracking bullfrogs at dusk while enjoying a crackling fire in the outdoor fire pit.

The cabin sleeps a maximum of 14. You will want to bring sheets, towels and pillowcases. 3 Night min needed over summer weekends and holidays.

To see more amazing vacation homes, click here.