Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Beautiful Southern Illinois

When most people envision Illinois they think of a flat featureless landscape and corn as far as the eye can see. I grew up in that part of the state, so I know why people associate that type of landscape with Illinois. Southern Illinois is vastly different. It is beautiful. Tall sandstone bluffs tower over lowland rivers, deep valleys carved over eons turn to waterfalls after heavy rains. The vast Shawnee national forest gives endless hiking and backpack camping opportunities and some breathtaking views of the Mississippi river floodplain.


Photobucket

Southern Illinois isn't blessed with the clear spring fed rivers from the ozarks, and most of it's rivers and streams are of the lowland variety. What it does have are some world class lakes with an incredible variety of fish species. Muskies, walleye, bass, catfish, crappie, trout--you name it. I hope that you can appreciate the beauty of my part of the state.


Photobucket

Photobucket