Shawnee National Forest, Illinois

The Shawnee National Forest is the biggest woods on the southern sandstone escarpment of Illinois. 320 million years ago an ocean covered what we see today — only folded mud and sandstone strata layers remain. Drove down to the Garden of the Gods to view the sandstone spires standing tall over the ridge. Eagles flew into heated updrafts from the valley below. Hiked in 90-degree humidity before heading to Bell Smith Spring — blue-tinted water with a natural arch that reminded us of cave water. Wondered about the source. After Bell Smith Springs, drove up to Little Grand Canyon — an hour and a half away, the biggest gorge in Illinois. Took off to the canyon bottom for the view. A family with emotional ranges from yelling to crying took a bit away from the canyon silence but the place is a must visit. Trail was flooded so couldn't complete the loop — headed back to Chicago. Lots of driving but worth the escape.