Author: marklongmainstream (Page 89 of 174)

Dogwood Canyon  has been described as an outdoor wonderland just waiting to be explored.  This Midwestern paradise is spread out on more then 10,000 acres of ruggedly beautiful terrain.  The park has 30 different waterfalls, 2 lakes, and a beautiful meandering stream, that winds its way through the canyon.

The 6.5 mile paved walking trail guides you past gorgeous limestone bluffs and tumbling waterfalls!  Beautiful rainbow trout swim in clear spring-fed waters, easily visible as you pass by. Native Ozark wildlife can be seen throughout the wilderness park as you walk or hike on the many trails available.

There are currently several different ways to explore Dogwood Canyon:  Hiking, Horseback riding, Segway Tours, Tram Tours, by Bicycle or by private tour.

A trip to Dogwood Canyon is as much educational as it is adventurous.  On the tram tour guests will learn the unique history of the land from knowledgeable guides. There are also fly fishing programs, and the education center is a great place to learn about the beauty of the Ozarks.

While  the area is surrounded with breathtaking natural beauty.  Some of the man made attractions are equally appealing. Dogwood Canyon  features a gorgeous  chapel, a covered bridge of Amish design, and one of the most amazing treehouses you will ever see.

The park is owned and managed by the Dogwood Canyon Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the canyon’s natural plant and wildlife environment.

 Don’t Miss: The private tour is an amazing way to view the park.  This is a two hour long guided tour, that takes visitors to parts of the park that very few have seen before.

Logistics:  2038 West State Hwy 86 Lampe, Missouri 65681

Best Time:  The fall is my favorite time to visit, the canyon is so beautiful with the fall foliage .  Plus the cooler temps make being outside more enjoyable.

Pit Stop:  After you’ve worked up a mighty appetite, make a beeline for Mill & Canyon Grill Restaurant, open to all guests of the nature preserve, for a delicious meal and spectacular views.

Extended Play: Big Cedar Lodge is located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, and is a wonderful escape to a remote refuge combining the natural beauty of the mountains overlooking  Table Rock Lake with contemporary luxury.  Conveniently located just 16 miles from the canyon!

Travel Smart:  With most outdoor activities, you need comfortable shoes, sunscreen and bug spray.  For this trip i also recommend a good camera.  There is so much beauty to be found in Dogwood Canyon, you will need a good camera.

For more information visit: http://dogwoodcanyon.org

Enjoying the great outdoors is any amazing thing! It’s even better if your best friends can come too.

Linda Bahnson

Meet David, a retired surgeon in Vermont, he’s found a way to share his adventures with his pets! He did this by building a kayak designed to keep his dogs safe while out on the water.

Linda Bahnson

The dog’s seem to love it and get excited whenever we pulled the kayaks out, David explained.

David got the idea from watching his first dog climb into the baggage compartment on the front of his kayak. By adding a ring of coaming around the opening allowed the dog to stay cozy and dry on there first trip out on the water.

Linda Bahnson

It wasn’t long before David added another pup to his family. Not wanting to leave “Ginger” alone during his trips, he made another modification to his vessel.

At first glance, it looks like a rare 3 seat kayak. Only difference is the lack of leg room. However it’s perfect for the dogs!

Linda Bahnson

The dogs are trained to get in the kayak themselves on command, and it never takes much convincing. The dogs seem to love to kayak as much as David does.

I have seen other kayakers with their dogs, but they usually have them in the cockpit with them, and that’s kind of awkward, this works out much better David explains.

I love my dogs, and I love sharing these adventures with them says David.

Starved Rock State Park

This picture is owned by Midwest Hiking

When its comes to beautiful scenery, very few parks in the Midwest can compare to Starved Rock State Park.  Whether you enjoy hiking along the nature trails or viewing the many spectacular overlooks along the Illinois River, recreational opportunities abound. The best times to see waterfalls are in the spring when the snow and ice melt or after a heavy rainfall. This beautiful park attracts over 2 million visitors a year and is consistently listed as the number 1 attraction in Illinois.  At Starved Rock, winter hikes offer amazing views of frozen waterfalls, and the ice covered trees, resemble a winter wonderland.  Starved Rock State Park is a world apart from anything else in Illinois! Starved Rock State Park is situated along the south bank of the Illinois River, less than 100 miles from Chicago, at 2668 E 875th Rd., Oglesby, IL 61348. For more information, click here.

Matthiessen State Park

Matthisen State park

Matthiessen is a paradise for those interested in geology, as well as recreation. Visitors can expect to see beautiful rock formations in addition to unusual and abundant vegetation and wildlife. Canyons, streams, waterfalls, prairie and forest combine to delight visitors at Matthiessen State Park.  One of the  main attractions is, Lake Falls, this is a man made dam with a 65-foot-tall waterfall! The trails navigate you through the limestone canyon, and feature stunning sites, including a cave, towering bluffs, and several waterfalls. Matthiessen State Park is an Illinois state park located a few miles south of the more famous Starved Rock State Park. The main entrances to both parks are located on Illinois State Route 178, the entrance is located at 2500 IL-178, Oglesby, IL 61348. For more information, click here.

Rock Cut State Park

This picture is owned by Midwest Hiking

You don’t have to leave the Rockford metro area to escape to nature, as this 3,000 acre state park is on Machesney Park’s doorstep. Largely made up of hardwood forest that is nothing short of spectacular in fall, Rock Cut State Park has 40 miles of hiking trails, around 25 miles of mountain biking trails and 25 miles of equestrian trails. Out in the park you may catch sight of some of the many animal species here, including foxes, deer, raccoons, beavers, fox squirrels, gray squirrels and a wealth of waterfowl on the two lakes. If you want to stay overnight there are 60 non-electric sites, more than 200 electric sites, a youth group campground and a rustic cabin. For more information, click here.

Castle Rock State Park

Castle Rock State Park is located three miles south of Oregon, Illinois on Highway 2 located along the west bank of the Rock River in Ogle County. The park is spread out across 2,000 acres of rolling topography, and includes six miles of marked hiking trails, and a public boat ramp/parking facility is located across from the park’s main entrance. Castle Rock is named after a sandstone bluff, adjacent to the river, that offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding river valley.  This area is a hot bed for state parks,  Just a few miles away is Lowden State Park and White Pines State Park is located nearby as well.  Making this a great destination for nature lovers. The park is located at 1365 W. Castle Rd. Oregon Illinois
For more information click here.

White Pines Forest State Park

This picture is owned by Midwest Hiking

Located in the heart of the Rock River valley, the 385-acre White Pines Forest State Park is the south boundary of the historic Chicago-Iowa Trail. Today, the park is perfect for family getaways to enjoy hiking, fishing, camping and picnicking. With serene, picturesque beauty, and modern lodge facilities amidst a beautiful forest, there is no better place to retreat from the everyday routine than the open spaces at White Pines. Along the meandering banks of Spring and Pine creeks, this scenic haven has magnificent trees that share moss-covered cliffs, strung with trailing vines. In season, colorful beds of blossoming trout lily, solomons seal, bloodroot, blue-eyed grass, spring beauty and hepatica are everywhere. Among the park’​s most interesting features are the concrete fords that span the creeks, allowing visitors to drive through the flowing streams, with an accessible path leading to the stream bank for wildlife watching and fishing. Camping and picnicking are popular at White Pines, with shaded picnic areas along Pine Creek and more than 100 campsites and youth group campgrounds available, with advance reservations through ExploreMoreIL. For more information, click here.

This last year has been an impressive one for Dregar Stuart. He ended last season with a 5th place medal at Iowa’s AAU Super Peewee State Tournament. After working hard all summer Dregar was back with a vengeance, winning first place at 9 straight open tournaments and defeating 5 former state champions along the way!

Dre’s list of accomplishments in the sport is quite long, as he has been one of the states elite wrestlers dating all the way back to 2016. After failing to place in his first two trips to the state tournament, Dregar finally won the USA Wrestling State Title in 2018, pinning a future 5x state champion in the finals.

Dregar’s wrestling career started at the Wilton Wrestling Club, he also spent a year training at the legendary Young Guns Wrestling Club, before finding his home with Pack 732! In the last 6 years Wilton’s Pack 732 has grown into a state power, regularly placing in the top 10 at the AAU state tournament. Pack732 has a solid reputation for producing championship caliber athletes!

Wrestling is not the only sport, Dregar excels at. This last summer his baseball team the Muscatine Muskies won the 8U state championship in Des Moines!

For most Iowa youth wrestlers, the season ended back in February at the conclusion of the AAU Kids State Championship. Dregar on the other hand, just keeps rolling along. In the last few weeks he was won tournaments In Wisconsin and Missouri.

At the Dominate The Dells Tournament in March, Dregar won a loaded 8 man bracket, defeating two former Wisconsin state champions to claim the title. This past weekend Dre traveled to Missouri to compete in the Adidas Nationals wrestling tournament. This time he had to battle his way through a 16 man field and defeat 3 state champions to claim the top prize! Even with this higher level of competition, Dregar was still able to dominate, with his closest match coming in the finals and being a 6-0 decision. It’s this level of dominance that has earned Dregar Stuart this week’s Iowa Matmen’s Wrestler Of The Week.

More about Dregar

How many state medals have you won over the length of your career? 7! 5 at AAU state and 2 at USA state.

How long have you wrestled? Since I was 4, I started in 2016.

Favorite food? Watermelon.

Plan to wrestle in College? Yes, at Iowa

Year in school? 3rd grade.

Favorite Athlete? Spencer Lee

Who inspires you? My Dad always encourages me to be my best.

Favorite Coach? Coach Kevin Brisker has taught me a lot of new stuff!

Most significant wrestling moment? Avenging prior loses.

Goals? To win an AAU State Title.

What inspired you to start wrestling? My dad said I should give it a try.

Record this season?  47-10.

Wonders Of Wildlife

Wonders of Wildlife  National Museum and Aquarium is the largest most immersive fish and wildlife attraction in the world!  The aquarium features a 1.5 million gallon tank and is home to over 35,000 live fish, crabs, reptiles and more. This fantastic new animal and nature museum opened its doors in September of 2017, and has been voted America’s #1 new attraction, and America’s Best Aquarium by USA TODAY! The  countless wildlife galleries bring visitors face to face with some of the most spectacular creatures to ever roam the Earth. Tours take place  seven days a week and are as much educational, as they are entertaining.  Wonders of the Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium is located at 500 W Sunshine St., Springfield Missouri. For more information, click here.

Dogwood Canyon

Dogwood Canyon  has been described as an outdoor wonderland just waiting to be explored.  This Midwestern paradise is spread out on more then 10,000 acres of ruggedly beautiful terrain.  The park has 30 different waterfalls, 2 lakes, and a beautiful meandering stream, that winds its way through the canyon. There are currently several different ways to explore Dogwood Canyon:  Hiking, Horseback riding, Segway Tours, Tram Tours, by Bicycle or by private tour. Dogwood Canyon is located at 2038 West State Hwy 86 Lampe, Missouri 65681. For more information, click here.

Talking Rocks Cavern

Talking Rocks Cavern was discovered in 1883,  by local rabbit hunters.  With the hunters deciding to leave the cave alone, it sat unexplored until 1896, when Truman Powell finally descended 100 feet down into the cave.  In 1921 the cave was opened to the public and became an instant hit with tourists, and remains so to this day attracting more than 40,000 visitors annually.  Talking Rocks Cavern has been referred to as Missouri’s Most Beautiful Cave! Which is quite an honor considering there are over 7,300 known caves in the state.  Cave tours are available year round and are a great opportunity for a fun, educational adventure.  Talking Rocks Cavern is located at 423 Fairy Cave Ln. Branson West, MO 65737. For more information, click here.

Fugitive Beach

It’s not often you can find a swimming hole this exotic, right smack dab in the middle of the Midwest.  Perhaps that is why, The Fugitive Beach is such a popular destination for both locals and those all over the region.  Once an abandoned rock quarry, The Fugitive Beach now serves as a tropical paradise, surrounded by towering limestone bluffs. Whether your looking for a fun summer activity for the family, a little adventure, or just a place to relax on a warm summer day, The Fugitive Beach has just what you need. The Fugitive Beach is located at 16875 County Road 5285, Rolla, MO 65401. For more information, click here.

Bonne Terre Mine Tour

This cave boat tour will give you an unforgettable experience as you get to see into the past! The Bonne Terre Mine is the largest man made cavern in the world, and dates all the way back to the 1860’s. Inside the Mine, you will find Billion Gallon Lake, which is the largest subterranean lake on Earth.  This is also home to the world’s largest freshwater dive resort. The boat tours last between 45-55 minutes, and will take you past ancient items submerged in the crystal clear water.  After the boat tour, your adventure continues on foot, exploring the vast underground. Bonne Terre Mine is located at 185 Park Ave., Bonne Terre, MO 63628. For more information, click here.