Matthiessen State Park 02-19-2016

I had some friends come up from the St. Louis area for the Mega Hike on Saturday 02-20-2016.  They came up a day early so they would be ready to hike at 8:30a.m.  My friend Ron and his wife Carol and I took them hiking at Matthiessen State Park.  This is Starved Rock's sister park about 1 1/2 miles south on RT 178.  Very enjoyable day.  A little muddy, a little icy but 60 degrees.  No complaints here.

Bits of ice are still left.  Ice should be gone in a few days.

First ice fall of the day

Cement sidewalk leading to Matthiessen Lake

My friend Cathy, she walked with me through the Smokey Mountains, when I did a month on the Appalachian Trai.

On the foot bridge overlooking Matthiessen Lake and Lake Falls

Matthiessen Lake Falls, almost gone.

From Lake Falls we walked the lower trail to Cascade Falls

I love this part of the trail

They looked so colorful!  I just had to make them stop for the photo.

Stream crossings weren't so bad today.

They were probably tired of me taking photos.  Going up near Cascade Falls

Devil's Paint Box

This frozen fall was a surprise.  Once you go down the concrete steps this was on the right

Cascade Falls are almost gone

Cascade Falls

Cathy and Nancy having a heart to heart

This bonus ice fall was also melting quite rapidly

Stone steps near the bridge on the south end of the dells area

I will leave you with this: As I grow up, I realize it is less important to have lots of friends, and more important to have real ones.