Paddle the Cache River State Natural Area and Bike the Tunnel Hill Trail

Paddling through a swamp in Southern Illinois with 1000 year old bald cypress trees? Yes, please!

THE PLAN:
We're going to camp, bicycle, and paddle in southern Illinois! We had a blast last year. Ferne Clyffe state park campground is booked up so we're staying at Dixon Springs. They have a pool. Hopefully, it's still open.

DETAILS:

Day 1 (Friday):
We'll meet at the Dixon Springs state park campground to set up camp. I have reserved tent sites 6, 7, and 8. Please let me know if you would like to share one of my sites. At 5pm EDT we'll meet at the trailhead in Tunnel Hill. We'll be riding the section of the Tunnel Hill State Trail from Tunnel Hill to Vienna, IL. This section is 9.3 miles long. We'll be riding at a slow pace and enjoying the views and company. Shortly after we start, we'll ride through the tunnel that the trail gets its name from. We'll also get to ride over Breeden trestle. This is the longest (450 feet) and the tallest (90 feet) of the 23 trestles along the Tunnel Hill State Trail. Our bike ride ends in the town of Vienna, IL where we'll get supper at Big Boy's Bar and Grill. Bring a light for your bike and a head lamp would be a good idea as well. If you'd like to know why, please ask Maggi ;)

DAY 2 (Saturday):
Breakfast at camp. At 10:00am EDT, we'll meet at the Lower Cache River Access and paddle the 6 mile water trail through a cypress/tupelo swamp. We'll take our time exploring and experiencing the flora and fauna of this unusual environment. Bring snacks and maybe lunch. I'm not sure how long we will take paddling this, so be prepared. We can do a pitch-in supper back at camp, if anyone is interested. Or we can fend for ourselves. Fire and conversation to end the day.

DAY 3 (Sunday):
Wake up, breakfast at camp and then go home...or not. Would anyone be interested in stopping at Shawnee National Forest for a hike at Garden of the Gods?

WARNINGS!!!

We're going to be having adventures with little or NO OVERHEAD COVER. Bring a hat, sunblock, and water.

If anyone needs a kayak or bike, let me know. I have rentals available.