Total eclipse April 8, 2024

We planned short trip to be in the path of total solar eclipse for long time, but waited until last minute watching weather forcasts to decide where to go. In the morning we drove to Green Sullivan State Forest in Indiana. Picked nice site at Wampler Campground just in time to watch the Sun and the Moon. Wearher was very good and we were not disappointed. It was spectacular. Joanna is already searching where we could see eclipse again.

Photos from 13:35 to 15:41 – two middle photos were taken without filter

Total eclipse April 8, 2024, 15:04-15:07

Next day, we parked at boat launch at Trimble Lake (W 150 S) and walked 6-mile red-trail-loop (counterclockwise) meandering between mounds, ravinies and ponds of flooded old strip coal mine restored in early 20th century as ☞ Green Sullivan State Forest. We cooked late lunch at Orion shelter and headed back home.

Starved Rock in early March

Quite a change of scenery since our ☞ last visit in the Fall of 2022. An unexpected early start to 2024 camping and hiking trips. Sunny and spring-like temperatures, surprisingly dry but very windy. Walked some 17 miles (plus more than 600 stairs) in two half-days, up and down familiar trails. Spoted a few bold eagles above the river, herons on trees and migratory pelicans stopping for a night on the river. Tested some improvements to our Forester camper.