Valley View Cabins
Barbara & Leon Russell
7025 Lick Creek Rd.
Buncombe, Illinois 62912
Phone 618-833-6356
Email LRUSSELL36 @NETSCAPE.NET
Phone (618)We except Cash, Checks or All Major Credit Cards833
6356
The Grassy Slough
The Grassy Slough preserve, the Conservancy's signature project in the Cache River watershed, once was mostly forested wetland, and efforts are underway to restore the site to its original condition. The lower stretch of the river spreads out over the flat terrain of extreme Southern Illinois and creates what early surveyors to the region described as "a drowned land."
The Nature Conservancy is working with its partners to protect this unique wetland system. Along the Cache River, in what is now 40,000 acres of protected land, the cypress and tupelo swamps seem to belong more to Louisiana than Illinois. Cypress trees that are more than a thousand years old raise their gnarled branches above the black waters here.
Because of their rich biological variety, the wetlands of the Cache River have been designated as one of only 15 "Wetlands of International Importance." This designation from the Ramsar Convention of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ranks the Cache River with other important wetlands, such as the Florida Everglades.
Location
Near Belknap in southern Illinois
Size
2,775 acres, with adjacent land protected through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
How to Prepare for Your Visit
Visitors to the Cache River Wetlands have many opportunities to explore the area. Trails to Heron Pond, through Limekiln Spring, and along the swamp at Perks. There are boardwalks into the swamp at Heron Pond and Section 8 Woods. Canoes can be launched at Perks and at several other locations along the river. Bike riding along the Tunnel Hill trail near Karnak provides easy access to The Farwell Memorial on the north part of the Grassy Slough Preserve. There are several miles of gravel road on the Grassy Slough
The Nature Conservancy is working with its partners to protect this unique wetland system. Along the Cache River, in what is now 40,000 acres of protected land, the cypress and tupelo swamps seem to belong more to Louisiana than Illinois. Cypress trees that are more than a thousand years old raise their gnarled branches above the black waters here.
Because of their rich biological variety, the wetlands of the Cache River have been designated as one of only 15 "Wetlands of International Importance." This designation from the Ramsar Convention of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ranks the Cache River with other important wetlands, such as the Florida Everglades.
Location
Near Belknap in southern Illinois
Size
2,775 acres, with adjacent land protected through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
How to Prepare for Your Visit
Visitors to the Cache River Wetlands have many opportunities to explore the area. Trails to Heron Pond, through Limekiln Spring, and along the swamp at Perks. There are boardwalks into the swamp at Heron Pond and Section 8 Woods. Canoes can be launched at Perks and at several other locations along the river. Bike riding along the Tunnel Hill trail near Karnak provides easy access to The Farwell Memorial on the north part of the Grassy Slough Preserve. There are several miles of gravel road on the Grassy Slough
Bald Knob Mountain
Made a trip to the top of Bald Knob Mountain and take a couple of new pictures of the restoration process.. The Cross has been stripped of tiles and frame cleaned repaired and painted. cement foundation poured and ready to receive the new tiles which have been ordered. Project hope to be completed by some time in September.. Looks so pretty up there. now more tourist can enjoy the ride to the top of the mountain again. also place to reflect and just enjoy the view.
Nestled in the purple hills of the Illinois Ozarks, Union County was at one time the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. Limestone caves and underground streams honeycomb the area. Native American tribes used to mine flint near Mill Creek. Union County is part of the National Trail of Tears. The tragic removal of the Cherokees in 1838 - 39 to Oklahoma is a sorrowful chapter in national history.
Union County has many bluffs and wilderness areas scattered among the sprawling Shawnee National Forest and state parks that are ideal for camping, hiking, horseback riding, and numerous other outdoor activities. Wild game species such as deer, squirrel, rabbit, fox, raccoon, and turkey are hunted throughout the county.
Built in 1854, the Illinois Central Railroad was instrumental in converting the river to rail traffic. The railroads were used for shipping apples, peaches, strawberries, peppers, and melons to Chicago and New Orleans in refrigerated cars, first developed in Cobden. Agriculture continues to be a major economic resource for Union County. Historians are lamenting the disappearance of barns, but in Union County some of these rural icons are preserved as shops and attractions.
Union County is also home to a variety of beautiful wineries and vineyards. Be sure to read over the "Attractions" section of this guide for a detailed list.
Union County has many bluffs and wilderness areas scattered among the sprawling Shawnee National Forest and state parks that are ideal for camping, hiking, horseback riding, and numerous other outdoor activities. Wild game species such as deer, squirrel, rabbit, fox, raccoon, and turkey are hunted throughout the county.
Built in 1854, the Illinois Central Railroad was instrumental in converting the river to rail traffic. The railroads were used for shipping apples, peaches, strawberries, peppers, and melons to Chicago and New Orleans in refrigerated cars, first developed in Cobden. Agriculture continues to be a major economic resource for Union County. Historians are lamenting the disappearance of barns, but in Union County some of these rural icons are preserved as shops and attractions.
Union County is also home to a variety of beautiful wineries and vineyards. Be sure to read over the "Attractions" section of this guide for a detailed list.
