So Ill Today

[tradewater]

Made it to So. Ill. today deep in the Shawnee for a great hike. This trail isn't on any maps, but I used to lead hikes in here so I knew how to get in. I used to live a few miles from this spot.

Switched gears today and carried the Kelty because when I got to our "special" spot I wanted to cook a nice meal.

Here's some scenery on the way in.

Here's a cave that I've been in many times. It goes back about forty feet and has a little waterfall in the back.

Finally made it to "our spot". This is one of the first places I took Mrs. Trade when I was courting her.

Not too bad is it?

Here's where the BK 9 comes in handy. Gathering some dry wood. There was a pretty good rainstorm came through yesterday.

Scrape up some tinder..

Get it laid out..

And lit...

Well, that was it for the camera battery. Some moron forgot to charge it after shooting a million hiking pictures this week. What you missed was a delicious black bean soup, stick bread and some wine. This was a great hike. Thanks for coming along.

 

[The Warrior]

Damn man, jealous. Did it feel good to be back in the nee again?

 

[tradewater]

Yes it did Dubz. Like coming home. I'd been looking forward to this one.

 

[The Warrior]

Yes it did Dubz. Like coming home. I'd been looking forward to this one.

I'll bet man. Really looking forward to doing some hiking again in that area. Went to St. Louis today and tried on some packs. I was disappointed that REI didn't have much to choose from.

 

[KP]

Great pics of a great day.

 

[bdws1975]

OMG!!!! This has me drooling to be outside....lovely pics. Thanks for sharing.

 

[tfields]

looks like another great hike thanks for taking us along!

 

[The Warrior]

BTW, was this anywhere near Garden of the Gods?

 

[Murphnuge]

Wow! You sure can pick the spots old man.

 

[tradewater]

BTW, was this anywhere near Garden of the Gods?

Nope

 

[The Warrior]

Nope

Well, that kinda narrows it down then.

 

[tradewater]

PM sent Dubz.

 

[Luke.]

Great shots! and that pack looks realllly comfortable. When your hiking do you prefer modern hiking poles or nice big hunks of wood?

 

[cbwoods67]

Damn, Trade.
Looks like another great place.
Thanks for sharing.

All these hiking threads are really giving me an urge to take a nice long hike around the farm.

 

[tradewater]

Great shots! and that pack looks realllly comfortable. When your hiking do you prefer modern hiking poles or nice big hunks of wood?

I like Komperdells usually and Kay likes Lekis. Here lately we've been using wooden ones for the day hikes. Two hiking poles makes you 4WD and with any serious weight, that's important.

 

[The Warrior]

I like Komperdells usually and Kay likes Lekis. Here lately we've been using wooden ones for the day hikes. Two hiking poles makes you 4WD and with any serious weight, that's important.

I need to get a couple myself. Well. at least one, as I have one my son got me for Christmas one year. He asked me what I wanted, and I told him a trekking pole. It wasn't for hiking, I wanted it for arrowhead hunting. That way, in the fields, I wouldn't have to keep bending down all the time. But trekking poles are a must have, as I learned walking down, then back up the falls this year.

 

[Bladite]

whee. it's like Trade is all over the map these days

 

[tradewater]

It's hiking season....

 

[Brew-Jitsu]

Gorgeous area you were hiking in - I'm jealous. I'm looking at 4-8" of snowfall today (Minnesota). Can't wait until some of this crap melts.

 

[Guyon]

Hope you tightened those screws down on the 9. I hear they can just fly right out of the handles.

I like Komperdells usually and Kay likes Lekis. Here lately we've been using wooden ones for the day hikes. Two hiking poles makes you 4WD and with any serious weight, that's important.

Absolutely. When I used to carry my kids in a backpack, being a quad-pod was even more important.