Thursday, April 13, 2017

BLUFF TRAIL BRANSON

My travels in Missouri had me overnight in Branson, Missouri. I scooted into town around 6PM, and quickly set out for a short one mile hike from my hotel to the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area and the Bluff Trail. The Bluff Trail involved climbing down (and then back up again) 315 stonework steps originally built in the late 1930's. My complete hike from hotel and back was six miles.

Your Food Diary For:

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Apples & Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal	780	162	9	18	1,020	72
	780	162	9	18	1,020	72
L U N C H
Caseys - Turkey Club Wrap, 1 Wrap	390	42	15	21	1,310	0
	390	42	15	21	1,310	0
D I N N E R
Big Daddy charbroil and cheese , 1 package	780	65	43	32	1,460	11
North Star - Fudge Bar - 100 Calorie, 1 Bar	100	22	0	2	90	17
	880	87	43	34	1,550	28
S N A C K S
Clif - Builder's Protein Bar	540	60	18	40	400	42
	540	60	18	40	400	42

Totals	2,590	351	85	113	4,280	142
Your Daily Goal	2,941	367	98	148	2,300	110
Remaining	351	16	13	35	-1,980	-32
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

Your Exercise Diary for:

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
BRANSON BLUFF TRAIL HIKE	117	903


Daily Total / Goal	117 / 30	903 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	218 / 210	1,383 / 4,130

form http://www.bransonparksandrecreation.com

Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area is in the heart of Branson and offers a nature escape with 140 acres of wooded and rugged hill country. From its inception in 1998, the park was envisioned to be a showcase for nature and beauty in the Ozarks. With its proximity to Highway 76, it is very accessible to residents and visitors alike. After the acquisition of the Owen's Homestead in 2010, we have devoted time and energy to improving the park, including a new entrance feature. A large wooden log archway over an ornamental iron gate with a decorative native stone veneer welcomes visitors to the park. With sustainable concepts in mind, a plan was developed for a parking lot that will eliminate surface runoff by capturing the storm water in a state-of-the-art underground "water harvesting system". This water is then pressurized and supplies the water for an adjoining irrigation system. The 6,000 square foot parking lot made of donated permeable parking lot paver stones is complete, with a walkway made of trail pavers currently under construction, giving the park improved access to walkers from Highway 76. In the last two years, 1.3 miles of trail have been added, which now totals 4.4 miles of trails. More trails are planned in the future.

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The Bluff Trail starts through an upland forest where mature trees dominate and the fairly level 3/10 mile trail makes for an easy walk to the steps. A set of 315 stonework steps lead down toward Lake Taneycomo. Fairly steep in design, this part of the trail takes some agility, along with a good pair of lungs and comfortable walking shoes. Many spots allow passage for only one person. The steps were built from 1937-1938. Inscribed in mortar on a step near the bottom are the building dates and the names of the workers, along with this testament of their hard work, “Let those who tread here not forget, that these steps were not made of stone and mortar alone, but of sweat, blood, and agony.” While walking the steps, you will see the first of two caves located in the wilderness area. At the bottom of the steps, the 1/5 mile Bluff Trail will take you by a grotto and waterfall and end at the Old Soldier's Cave. The total mileage for Trail 1 is 7/10 mile (one way).

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

INDIAN CAVES

Natural Cave, maybe 20 feet deep into the rocks

Yesterday I had an appointment to sell fabric at a store in Bourbonnais, Illinois (approximately 50 miles from Chicago) During my visit I let my customer know that I planned to take hike somewhere nearby before darkness set in) My customer recommended that I visit the Indian Caves. I parked at Perry Farm Park and set out to see the caves. I found only one small cave. I believe that the other cave(s) were accessed by climbing down from the ravine that led to the creek. I did some exploring and after my feet broke through ice and got completely soaked, I lost some of my adventuresome spirit. I did see one cave that was visible from the trail and took a bunch of photos. The temperature seemed warm compared to my 3 mile hike on Sunday morning when it was -2F. Yesterday the temperature was a relative balmy 28°F. It was plenty cold, and I was wearing 6 layers of clothing and brought better gloves with me. The hike was completed when I had travelled 6 miles.

Recommended parking is located at the Cavalier de LaSalle Park to the North, but is also available at the main parking area for the Perry Farm just off of Kennedy Dr. (Rt. 45) or at Lavesseur Park to the South.

from geocaching.com

Before this area was settled by pioneers, Native Americans resided here for many centuries along the banks of what is now known as the Kankakee River. The Potawatomi Indians who called this place home actually called the River the "Theatiki", which only through a series of mispronunciations and misspellings became known by the settlers as the "Kankakee" River.

The Bourbonnais Geologic area, locally known as the Indian Caves, is located within the Perry Farm Park along the Kankakee River. The geological area includes the Bourbonnais Creek and ravine and covers approximately 30 acres of land. This area features a dolomite cliff and cave community, rare in the State of Illinois. On September 16, 1996, Governor Jim Edgar authorized the dedication of the Bourbonnais Geologic Area as an Illinois Nature Preserve in an attempt to protect it against vandalism and other destructive activities. It is open year round and its public use is limited to walking, exploring, and observing nature. Please remember to take care when exploring the cliff and creek areas and to take care of this rare natural resource.

The Indian Caves at this site are small, narrow caves that are readily accessible for exploration only to the most daring adventurers. The deepest of the caves is only about 20 feet deep, and requires entry through a very narrow crevice in the rock. Access to the caves can most easily be obtained by venturing back to the trail from the posted coordinates, walking North across the bridge spanning the creek, and following the dirt trail up and over the cliffs to the East. From there it will be evident how to get down into the ravine and ultimately to the caves. You can also follow the trail to the ENE of the posted coordinates, but the trail is not quite as defined and the climb may be a bit steeper..

This is from inside a small cave that was easy to find.

Your Food Diary For:

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Omelette - 3-egg Omelette With Cheese, 3 eggs	425	0	21	28	650	2
Essential Everyday - Butter Flavored Grits	500	105	5	10	1,700	5
Quest bar - cinnamon	170	23	7	20	200	1
	1,095	128	33	58	2,550	8
L U N C H
Ham, Turkey, & Cheese on Honey Wheat Bread	620	68	22	44	2,900	16
Fit Crunch - Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bar	380	27	16	30	320	6
	1,000	95	38	74	3,220	22
D I N N E R
Taco Bell - Hard Shell Taco	850	60	50	40	1,550	5
	850	60	50	40	1,550	5
S N A C K S
DARK COCOA MELTING WAFERS	660	72	39	9	135	63
	660	72	39	9	135	63

Totals	3,605	355	160	181	7,455	98
Your Daily Goal	2,840	355	94	143	2,300	106
Remaining	-765	0	-66	-38	-5,155	8
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

Your Exercise Diary for:

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Bourbonnais Six Mile Hike	102	910
Elliptical Trainer	97	921



Daily Total / Goal	200 / 30	1,532 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	340 / 210	3,557 / 4,130

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I found this on wikipedia regarding the pronunciation of Bourbonnais.

Pronunciation

The original French pronunciation of Bourbonnais came to be Anglicized over time to /bɜːrˈboʊnᵻs/ bər-boh-nəs. In 1974 a state representative from Bourbonnais introduced a resolution "correcting" the pronunciation of the town's name to /bɜːrbəˈneɪ/ burr-bə-nay, closer to the French.

Although it was cold hiking through the ice and snow on the trails, I kept warm as I was wearing six different layers of clothing.