Day 69: Fern Clyffe State Park, IL

We are back on the road once again.  It was Alea's turn to ride, and we opted to head for Fern Clyffe State Park ($20, power and showers) near Goreville, IL.  

The day started out pleasant enough.  The temperatures continue to be mild, there was a fair wind blowing from the west, the autumn leaves were falling and the roads were mostly low rollers with low traffic and/or adequate shoulders.  That is, until the last ten miles.  At that point it became a rough, paved road with roller coaster hills (which probably signaled our arrival to the Shawnee Hills).  But the road had very little traffic, and Alea had no time pressure, since she finished the 43 mile ride very early in the afternoon.

Alea is smiling, just before the long roller coaster hill road!

We took advantage of our early arrival to explore some of the trails in the park, to see the bluffs (probably limestone) and an intermittent waterfall (currently dry).

Sad tree, happy mushrooms!

Ferns and cliffs.

Lana, the intrepid frog hunter!

Alea and Lana at the (currently dry) waterfall.

A huge boulder that had been cleaved from the bluff.

The forecast for tomorrow calls for a cooling trend and a chance of showers, so our nice run of good weather is coming to an end.  Hopefully this new front will blow through quickly, and it will turn warm and sunny again soon thereafter!