Ok, since Gretchen is so busy, Ill make the thread! lol......We might have a Silo Shoot out and Giant City Park on

OCT 16th at like 9am.......

Anyone wanna come?
Maybe a trail , visitors center, water tower( just pics for me this time) , horse stables ,lake, and of course good ol lunch at the lodge! lol....and we could try alto pass too if you all want? the bald knob cross? IDK it's up to you all........

I get gretchen's cam though........called first........you all can fight over the lenses though....

Anyone wanna come?



1. Gretchen
2. Bam
3. Life
4. Mrs. Life
5. Chy

3. Life and hopefully Mrs Life

wish I could, hafta work though... have fun, post what ya learn.

I'm off, but camera or bow... I'll have to see...

It'd be fun to have our 'president' along too. If you're out with the bow then, good luck in bringing back some venison.

Could anyone start a little earlier? By 9 and 10 we are going to to start fighting the bright sun quicker..just a thought..prolly should stick with that or life's household would have to leave mighty early...

I can be there at 7! lol.......But it's only 1/2 hour away down the back way for me....lol......I thought that would be in the middle of us but I forgot about poor Life way up there.....Next, time well pick Saint Louis, g and I will go to our doc. appointments and then shoot out up there life......lol........

I'd love to go, but I'll be chapperoning a date with my bow and hopefully Mr. Big Buck. :D

I hope he doesn't stand her up! ;)

My wife was mostly asleep when I told her about the shoot-out, but she still heard what I said. She called me while ago from work to make sure she'd heard the right date for taking some vacation time. Yep, she's gonna be there too.

As for being there early, I can't guarantee anything. I can be up early enough, but Mrs Life is a little slower getting up. At least this time we won't have to pack meals, a tent, and fishing tackle like we usually do. Camera equipment, coffee (yeah, lots of that), and a cooler of water, plus hiking boots/shoes.

I would love to make that to can't because of work. Will be down this weekend though and want to try to get to Garden of the Gods and/or Bell Smith Springs. Will post some pic's if I do. Also need to put up a coulpe more stands.

Oh good....we get to meet Mrs. Life too.....lol......
If you all wanna come and don't have cams don't worry about that.....It will just be like going on a tour of giant city with a bunch of nutty Silo folks! lol....

That's why I said like 9 or 10...I figured that would mean getting up early for you all anyway.......lol.....But, I know what Gretchen is saying with the darn light!

Now life, there's the campground right there and also the lovely cabins....I always try to make vacations out of b's fishing tourneys even if it is just to Rend Lake and I even stayed at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon before too for em...lol.then, I also point out the prefishing so I get to stay longer! lol........I bet it would be nice and cool then to camp, IDK though.......

Our president is picking a big buck over silo members :( so sad........lol....Just kidding.....I thought about bow hunting season being in too cause that means b is stuck with the kiddies that day.......well, I guess he could go a couple hours that evening.......

Huntrz we will be thinking about your when we are shootin away and getting those good macros.......also when we are chowin at the lodge.....lol.....

I would love to make that to can't because of work. Will be down this weekend though and want to try to get to Garden of the Gods and/or Bell Smith Springs. Will post some pic's if I do. Also need to put up a coulpe more stands.

Garden of the gods is gretchen and I 's next trip......I just hope we don't trip......lol..
I am not a fan of heights , nor is she, how do you think the trails and such are?

The last time I was there they weren't to bad. My twins went with me, they were only about 7 at the time but they managed them ok. It's only about 10 minutes from the farm, but I never seem to have enough time to get back there. Plus with 200 acres of SNF adjacent to our 200 acres there are plenty of place to roam around without running into anyone. Yep no Waldo's around here.

Someone said it's like walking over open rocks or something? I would never go cause folks always scared me......lol......I been all around there though.....that little pond and moon shots I got the other night were down at Shawnee ......we just looked at some land down there too not to long ago.......Beautiful Area! Your luck to have so much land.........


No waldo's thank god.......hopefully he aian't at Giant city! lol....that would be too funny!

Garden of the gods is gretchen and I 's next trip......I just hope we don't trip......lol..
I am not a fan of heights , nor is she, how do you think the trails and such are?

Where's Garden of the gods? That sounds interesting.

Don't worry about Waldo. You'll have enough friends around to keep him at bay. :D

I'm going to try and make it! I'm excited/nervous about meeting y'all!

And Garden of the Gods is a very nice trail. Most of it is smooth for easy walking. There are a couple of places where you can walk out onto the rocks, some more scary than others. :)

We went earlier this summer and got some awesome pics - here's a panoramic that I'm especially proud of:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1288/872377387_4b206963b3.jpg

I've got more in my flickr account. Rim Rock is less than 10 minutes away from Garden of the Gods - it's usually not as crowded, but it also has beautiful things to photograph.

Life - Garden of the Gods is down past Harrisburg, by Equality, IL. Here's a good website:
http://www.backpackcamp.com/GardenOfTheGods.html

Take Route 34 South leaving Harrisburg probably about 20 miles or so. It is a really neat place. tkr2099 posted a pic from there...
http://www.siloutdoors.com/showthread.php?t=1737

Where's Garden of the gods? That sounds interesting.

Don't worry about Waldo. You'll have enough friends around to keep him at bay. :D
What? you never heard of it life? And I thought you knew everything! lol........

I gotta leave a few things for y'all to teach me.

I can just go the back way out by creal and such so it aian't that far from me, but I just never would go up because of the heights issue....

Cave in Rock is kinda neat too.......It's further south.....Lots of history there...Got some pics somewhere...??? Also, it has a little resturant there taht wasn't that bad with a gift shop and a campground that looked pretty nice. It might have been the campground with the pool....Not sure?
One of em down there has a pool. It wasn't lake glendale though.......

So anyway, back on the subject, silo shoot out....
what about stopping in a the fish hatchery down the road or at touch of nature? anybody wanna do that?

I have a problem with heights too, but still force myself sometimes. It's not as bad on the sides of large hills and mountains as it would be going up on the roof or something like that.

I spent a weekend at Touch of Nature in 93 or 94 chaperoning my daughter's class. That was real interesting. A fish hatchery might be fun too.

Yea, I haven't been there in a while, I also went with my class as well one time and it was pretty neat......

All I can say is I wish, :( post lots of pics, please.

I reckon there'll be a lot of pictures posted after the shoot out.

Website overload.......lol....naw, that would have prolly already happened....lol...

We may have to chip in after the shoot out for more bandwidth and storage capacity. :D

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R5/GC.HTM

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/INTERPRT/giant_city/index.htm

How about meeting at the visitors center in the am and watching the 10min video about the place and then taking off? Sound good?

Sounds good to me.

Ok, since Gretchen is so busy, Ill make the thread! lol......We might have a Silo Shoot out and Giant City Park on

OCT 16th at like 9am.......

Anyone wanna come?
Maybe a trail , visitors center, water tower( just pics for me this time) , horse stables ,lake, and of course good ol lunch at the lodge! lol....and we could try alto pass too if you all want? the bald knob cross? IDK it's up to you all........

I get gretchen's cam though........called first........you all can fight over the lenses though....

Anyone wanna come?



1. Gretchen
2. Bam
3. Life
4. Mrs. Life

Anyone else thinking of coming? Even if you don't wanna take pics it's no big deal....or if you just wanna meet us there for lunch that's cool too.......

I got a couple extra sets of rechargable batteries for the camera last night. Now I need to pick up an extra SD card. We're going to either camp that night or stay in on hotel or something so we can get in a second day of sight seeing.

That's good Life, I have three for my battery but one is MIA right now so I am down to two..one being a bigger one......I think I am gonna try and grab G's cam again :D.......I am kinda leaning toward the canon more now, but just in the store I liked the nikon better???
They have a camphground right down the road, with picnic tables, and af fire pit at each site. The bathrooms also look like they had been remodeled and there were a couple shower stalls.....a must for the bam fam.....:D
Life, you should prolly check out Mary Lous for breakfast..it's some good home cookin..they have lunch too and it is also good....It's fast service and it's cheap too......Im sure some folks on here have tried it....
Oh and bald knob isn't that far? have you been there? and the winery trails....whoo we could set you up for a week! lol :d

Life, you should prolly check out Mary Lous for breakfast..it's some good home cookin..they have lunch too and it is also good....It's fast service and it's cheap too

You just hit 2 of my hot buttons there...good and cheap. :D I enjoy cooking breakfast in camp, but don't especially enjoy the cleanup.

Mrs Life doesn't drink the wine. One little sip and she'd be snoozing in the corner. It makes dating a lot cheaper...don't have to figure in overpriced drinks with alcohol. Yeah, I still date my wife. Keeps married life fun.

Yea, b really likes it too.....we don't care to pay a little more at some places if its good though.......
It is an old hole in the wall, so don't be scared off......you can sit up at the bar and or get a table....we usually sit up at the bar.....and we yack at the waitresses ...I know one really good....Or should i say I yack at the waitresses and b eats.....lol.
We don't drink wine either but I did get some neat pics from the blue winery.....I would be snoozin too....:D
We used to date too before we moved to the lake and the woods......lol..just teasin.....next date is in a tree stand...swear........:D Hopefully this week!

....next date is in a tree stand...swear........:D Hopefully this week!

I believe that. It's something you're doing together, just the two of you and (hopefully) some deer. A lot of our dates involve fishing tackle. Mrs Life was asking me this evening if we're going fishing next weekend since I'll be off.

Mary Lou's is a classic Carbondale institution! I recommend their biscuits and gravy - so good!

Sign me up for the shootout - I'll be there with bells on!

Sign me up for the shootout - I'll be there with bells on!

Now this I gotta see! :D

Sounds like we're definitely gonna have to eat there. Glad to have to coming to the shoot out too.

I believe that. It's something you're doing together, just the two of you and (hopefully) some deer. A lot of our dates involve fishing tackle. Mrs Life was asking me this evening if we're going fishing next weekend since I'll be off.

Yea, and I get in trouble for talking and moving.....lol....I couldn't even go to bingo cause I talk to much..... this old man, Im talking like 70-80 about cussed me out......and then this little ol lady chowin on some fried chicken next to me... was giving me the evil eye, so I didn't return.....thought maybe next time gramps might pull a gat on me or something.......lol..
ok enough with the teasin bam...snap out of it......:D

Naw, hopefully I get to go, I got a babysitter lined up I think and Im gonna try to go...at least will prolly see some does......We haven't really been scoutin that much either though......maybe Ill let him sit in the stand a while and then ill go later when he figures out the patterns better! :) Im not as patience as him...........:D :D

Mary Lou's is a classic Carbondale institution! I recommend their biscuits and gravy - so good!

Sign me up for the shootout - I'll be there with bells on!

Gotta luv some Mary Lous...and those homemade pies......yummy......I bet Detect dave been in there a FEW times.......

Allright Chy, but what kind of bells are you wearing? Might scare the wildlife away....and then we would be sad , no photo opps.......:(
Just kidding.....you might take the back way though chy if you know it.....that's the way Im going......instead of having to go over to C-dale and then down......

I have been in there and those breakfasts are dynoooomite! I did have a pretty good piece of pie there too...custard I think. a few times

See life, DD even said it was good, and you know that man knows his grub..:D :D .....it's right on the strip there off of main street, right down from the train station, can't miss it....says MARY LOUS really big on a banner in maroon and white.......if yall eat there for b-fast you might go back for lunch.......lol....You know now that Im thinking, I think there is a Japanese rest next door on the corner too isn't there?

Well DDave is an expert on eating establishments. The Japanese restaurant sounds interesting too, but I'll bet they're a bit more expensive. Japanese food is if for no other reason than that it's Japanese.

Life, we aian't far behind....lol....sounds like you aian't either....
Ill try and find out some info for you life....
Hub loves his german food, since he's german.....yall let me know if you find any good german food around here........we order from the german deli online and they pack it and all so the sausage and stuff stays good but it's high to do it that way......I tell my kids they were made in america with german parts.......:D

My grandma on my mom's side was old order Amish. Her parents came from Switzerland and spoke German, as did Grandma. Dad had a fun time since he'd studied German in college. Anyway, we grew up with a wide variety of types of food.

One of my coworkers took his wife to a fancy schmancy German restaurant around Waterloo. Their prices weren't too bad till they added in the beverages. They had all the schnitzels and everything. I posted the info in the restaurant review section. (http://www.siloutdoors.com/showthread.php?t=430&page=15)

My former boss where I used to work often teased me that I could tell what restaurants were around by sniffing the air. It's a little bit of an exaggeration...just a little mind you.

My grandma on my mom's side was old order Amish. Her parents came from Switzerland and spoke German, as did Grandma. Dad had a fun time since he'd studied German in college. Anyway, we grew up with a wide variety of types of food.

One of my coworkers took his wife to a fancy schmancy German restaurant around Waterloo. Their prices weren't too bad till they added in the beverages. They had all the schnitzels and everything. I'll have to call him after he gets to work to ask him again about the place. He said the food was excellent.

My former boss where I used to work often teased me that I could tell what restaurants were around by sniffing the air. It's a little bit of an exaggeration...just a little mind you.

oh lord, yea, he loves those schnitzels....there was one in nashville that we where gonna try but folks around there said no???? said it wasn't real german food and the service wasn't good.......we went to demo's instead...that was a good choice and cheap for being in the city.....well, I guess you would call nashville the city......lol....
There is suppose to be a german fest somewhere around here too????IDK where though..
He used to fly over there with his mom, we haven't been yet but would like to when the kiddos get big enough to remember.....or maybe when the kiddos are gone...lmao.
He also has two brothers over there so it would be nice to meet em. Now I got there email and they are on myspace , thanks to the web....lol.

Let me know about that.....we also found a couple items at that world market in saint louis that we couldn't get around here..and that darn bread was really good in those big ol brick ovens...they had some fresh out of the oven...oh and the cheeses, boy did they have a selection....his mom was telling the kids stories how they would roll the big cheese wheels down the mountain....lol..

Stop it you two..I haven't had breakfast yet!!! ROFL
Chy - so glad you will be joining us..the more the merrier!
I am really getting excited about this upcoming trip! May even have to camp down there myself...just to save a drive back and forth....and get two days in...LOL

Me neither Gretchen.

BAM, another of my coworkers was raised by his German grandmother so he didn't learn English till he was ready for school. When he got stationed in Germany he nearly freaked. Everything looked exactly as his grandmother had described, and everyone looked pretty much as he did. Yeah, he was in a village near where his grandma grew up.

Yum, schnitzel for breakfast. Not a bad idea Gretchen.

Kewl, yea, his brother don't drive usually.....they all walk over there alot and ride the trolly.......they also don't have air....it's nice and cool over there most of the time.....quite different than here in july huh! lol.....


Could you imagine the photo ops........b and his mom said it's gorgeous over there.....the treez and scenery......man, I wanna go.......

I haven't had breakfast either .......maybe ill wait for lunch......

Back to the shoot out, looks like we're getting a good group together. It's going to be a lot of fun.

Yea and it's on the calendar.....I was gonna add it and someone beat me too it......
now we just gotta get bob, bird, huntrz, dd, all them to go too.....I think B is coming for lunch.......lmao..
He said he aian't missin out on a good ol chicken dinner at the lodge...lol..so you all will get to meet MR BAM too......and I promise he won't be holding a big bass this time since he always is in all the pics....:D

Didn't make it to Garden of Gods this weekend:( Was down that way at the farm but my Aunt was really sick so we stayed around the house with her. She had a procedure on a brain anuerism at Barnes on Thursday and was released Friday night. Anesthia messed with her really bad so we didn't get to far away from the house. Watch the construction at the intersection where you turn off Rte34 to GoG. On another note saw lots of deer and turkey moving even in the middle of the day. Got some pic's to post tonight. Wish I could make it down to join you all.

I wish you could too mdoc. I hope your aunt's doing better now.

Yea and it's on the calendar.....I was gonna add it and someone beat me too it......
now we just gotta get bob, bird, huntrz, dd, all them to go too.....I think B is coming for lunch.......lmao..
He said he aian't missin out on a good ol chicken dinner at the lodge...lol..so you all will get to meet MR BAM too......and I promise he won't be holding a big bass this time since he always is in all the pics....:D

That would be me BAM. I noticed you hadn't added it yet.

And the main reason you hope B makes would be so he'll pay for lunch? :D If he is holding a big bass there, he better share.

Im sure he's still got some in the freeze....yea, well his money is my money...lol.....don't you know that by now.....(Just kidding B :D ) I doubt he would have a big bass in his hands but maybe some deer in his hand by then......lmao!

My wife's line is "My money is mine and his money is mine." Yeah, I know how it is.

OK BAM, the same applies to venison. He has to share if he brings some. :D

Yea and it's on the calendar.....I was gonna add it and someone beat me too it......
now we just gotta get bob, bird, huntrz, dd, all them to go too.....I think B is coming for lunch.......lmao..


I have to work that evening and that morning I'll prolly be busy with something going on, hopefully involving three Brittany's.

Didn't make it to Garden of Gods this weekend:( Was down that way at the farm but my Aunt was really sick so we stayed around the house with her. She had a procedure on a brain anuerism at Barnes on Thursday and was released Friday night. Anesthia messed with her really bad so we didn't get to far away from the house. Watch the construction at the intersection where you turn off Rte34 to GoG. On another note saw lots of deer and turkey moving even in the middle of the day. Got some pic's to post tonight. Wish I could make it down to join you all.

MDOC, wish your aunt and fam all the best....anuerisms are tough to beat....

Can't wait to see the pics....

This was the 3rd procedure on the anuerism, 1 in Nashville(Vanderbuilt), 2 at Barnes. Pretty neat way of fixing it. They use a catheter to put coils into the anuerism and fill it up so blood can't get into it. I think this should be the last time that she has to go through it. It has been rough on her 2 strokes and it bled out once. But amazingly she is doing pretty good. If you ever here of "The crazy Old Lady on the Hill" thats her. She usually meets most people that happen upon the property with her gun out saying, Who the hell are you and what to you want? It was all I could to to convince her not to be out on the tractor bush hoggin Saturday. Not bad for a 76 YO!

BTW She was a photograher in the Navy and loves to take pic's too.

WOW, sounds like some of my kin folk.....lol...My granny is a great woman.....she is something else and can work circles aroud me and she is in her 80's.....oh the stories she can tell though........I told her she needs to write a book.....
Sounds like auntie is having a hard time........I know those are tough....had a good friend of the fam burst and die......otherwise he was young, worked out, heathy and no one knew anything was wrong.....anuerism are one of the top 10 medical issues overlooked.....

Post some of her pics..I bet she has some nice ones......

Life check out this thread....all of this is close to gc
http://www.siloutdoors.com/showthread.php?t=410&highlight=winery

http://www.siloutdoors.com/showthread.php?t=492&highlight=blue+sky

Cool! I've been on the observation deck at the water tower.

We got our room reserved for that night so we don't have to drive back to FVH right away.

Who all's going to be there? The more the merrier, right?

Bam
Gretch
CHY
Mrs. Life
and
Mr. Life

??????
That's All I Know.......

Poor Life 4 To 1.....

I'm used to those odds Bam. I'm usually outnumbered. At least I'm among friends though.

Hey, b is still coming for lunch though I think........lmao ...with cookies and milk

And then these are the folks that I heard from:

mdoc-no
bird-no
huntrz-no
smokey-no
fungus-no
rlf- no
carpsniper-no

If any of those noes decide to change their minds they're more than welcome. :)

I hope to be fishing for smallies that day and freezing my behind off......on;y to warm up later w/ you know what:):)

Dave, you don't want me to be outnumbered out there, do you? Heck, maybe we can chase smallies together sometime.

Bam, at one point it was my wife and 2 teenage daughters going through their rebellion phase (Mike was living in Indy with his dad) plus 2 cats. The only male in the house besides me was a neutered cat. I didn't like those odds at all. :( I think things will be a lot calmer at the shootout.

When and where is this thing taking place again?

Oct 16 at Giant City Park. We're meeting at the visitor center at 9:00am.

Bam, at one point it was my wife and 2 teenage daughters going through their rebellion phase (Mike was living in Indy with his dad) plus 2 cats. The only male in the house besides me was a neutered cat. I didn't like those odds at all. :( I think things will be a lot calmer at the shootout.


See life, I had the three older brothers...I usually couldn't do much without one of them being involved somehow.....luckily the one used to play with b so that made things a little better when I met him............:D :D

Oct 16 at Giant City Park. We're meeting at the visitor center at 9:00am.

We are? dane I forgot already.........lol.....:rolleyes:

I'm not gauranteeing I'll be there, I'll decide that morning.

We are? dane I forgot already.........lol.....:rolleyes:

That's what I remembered. Maybe we need to go back through all the messages and see.

Btw, what happened to your avatar?

OK I went back and checked. You mentioned something about meeting around 9am. We hadn't decided where though. We need to decide stuff like that before then.

I thought we were meeting at the Visitor's Center? Or are people wanting to meet at Touch of Nature or the Fish Hatchery? I know both of those were mentioned as well.

I wouldn't mind meeting at the Visitor's Center and getting an early start on pictures before we lose the morning light - meeting at 9am only gives us an hour or two of good light.

Chy yea, we are going to meet at the visitors center at 9.......

I can be there at 7! lol.......But it's only 1/2 hour away down the back way for me....lol......I thought that would be in the middle of us but I forgot about poor Life way up there.....Next, time well pick Saint Louis, g and I will go to our doc. appointments and then shoot out up there life......lol........

Don't matter to me Chy...however life has a 2 hour drive.......:(

Oh, I totally forgot that Life has such a long drive! 9am will be fine!

I thought I'd be the only one up this late - you never sleep either, Bam? :)

Never..........:rolleyes: Ill sleep when I die! lol.....

I was thinking Vistors Center at 9 too..Chy if you wanted to meet earlier when we have the really early light, I am game..then we can go the visitors Center at nine to meet the Life's...
Just to add to the long day it will be...my best friend's husband stopped by to tell me he was having a suprise party for her that evening...he's doing all the prep work..fixing supper for us all, and invited her close girlfriends over to spend the evening hanging out in the hot tub being girls LOL he decided that he and Critter would slink off to the local drinking establishment...while we did girl stuff..he's a sweetie...but I thought the hot tub would be perfect after a day hiking around!

I'm taking a vacation day the night before so being up early's no problem for me. I may have to carry my wife out and let her sleep till we get there if we take off early. She's addicted to those Korean soaps that come on late at night, even the ones I record for her. She watches the soaps and I haunt SILO. We could probably be there at 8 though if everyone wants to get an earlier start. I'll just tell her we have to leave by 5 and we should be on the road by 6. ;)

Whatever yall just let me know!!!!!

G, I've still got your cell # in case I can roust Mrs Life up early. She couldn't even get up early this morning to go fishing. I may have to have her get in the truck the night before so she doesn't have to wake up till we get there. ;)

Now, see right there you can tell life aian't going hunting everyday...if he was he wouldn't be talking mean like that about mrs. life......
Guys always get nice around hunting season why is that? lol

Bam, I ain't about to start talking mean about her, but she is a might hard to get up in the morning. She always talks about gettin up early for fishin and stuff, but it just don't happen very often.

Life, puttin her in the truck the night before like putting a book in the truck the night before is mean to me......lol.......that's almost like saying your sleeping out in the doghouse....... :D :D

YA'ALL have fun now, ya hear? wish I wuz goin wit ya'all. I need to take some more pics.....lol

we should have some good stuff when ya get back, huh?

Life, puttin her in the truck the night before like putting a book in the truck the night before is mean to me......lol.......that's almost like saying your sleeping out in the doghouse....... :D :D

Now you know I was kidding about doing that Bam. I'd never leave her in the truck overnight unless I was there with her. :D I'll be setting the coffeemaker up the night before so there's some hi octane fuel ready to get us going. :D

I don't spend too much time in the doghouse Bam. Besides, Mrs Life dishes it out too. You'll find that out next week. She's supernice, but she can tease with the best.

YA'ALL have fun now, ya hear? wish I wuz goin wit ya'all. I need to take some more pics.....lol

we should have some good stuff when ya get back, huh?

I wish you would be there too.

Sorry Lifestudent if I didn't have to work I'd be there.........:D You got to go to keep it real..:eek:

Sorry Lifestudent if I didn't have to work I'd be there.........:D You got to go to keep it real..:eek:

That's why I am gonna be there fun......lol......

I was meaning cause he was goinna be the only guy..... :o..sorry

I know what you was meaning fun......
Bird might come too now......???? And what about yoU? work was it?

how about we stick with the original plan of 9AM at the visitors Center, and then if any of us want to go earlier we'll figure that out as the week goes on..

That's fine with me......Let me know......Heck g we could prolly meet before sunrise considering some of the times we been chattin online.......:D
I fell asleep last night and b woke me up at 3:30 on the couch.. ...I didn't have the laptop plugged in so it shut off once it ran out of battery.....usually it gets to burning my leg and that wakes me back up...........:eek: :D

I know what you was meaning fun......
Bird might come too now......???? And what about yoU? work was it?

If I go I'll make up my mind at about 0830 that morning.

830 that morning? you wont even get there in time will ya???


Just to let you all know you can have event reminders too and it's under your user CP(control panel) I went ahead and signed up to get a reminder for the shoot out even though I know I won't forget......


gretchen that might be a good thing for you so you don't forget everything that is going on....lol......:D :D

Have an event reminder to remind you to log off and get some sleep the night before? I may need one of those.

Have an event reminder to remind you to log off and get some sleep the night before? I may need one of those.

yea, I might need that....We thought about going hunting friday but we are goign on a date instead.....I mean a real one....lol...I am gonna try to stay out of the woods and try to not get hurt, or get chiggers or burn anything down in the meantime so I really aian't in a wheelchair....and can push G if she needs me too.......:) :)
Wonder if I can set a reminder for bed......lol...How aobut 10pm. is bedtime the night bedfore......:D :D

If that date works out right, you won't have to set an event timer for bed;) ;) ;)

:eek: DD I am shocked LOL

so have we decided..a start time? And are we going to just stick to the trails or try to do Touch and the hatchery too? That seems like a bunch to squeeze into one day...
I can wander for at least an hour or two just on the trillum trail LOL and we must take mrs life on the one hat cuts through the rocks - I think it is the nature trail..I'll know it when I see it on the map LOL

Getting more excited about it everyday! I am trying to get plenty of rest so I won't be pooping out on every one..

Remember G...hatchery= no fishing pole...cameras only:) Since I won't be there to supervise ya know, ya better be on best behavior. I will be plying the rivers of N/W Wiscnsin w/ my bro while telling lies and swilling distilled beverages made from potatoes. I wish I could be there.

If that date works out right, you won't have to set an event timer for bed;) ;) ;)


Now now Dave......date night is Fri.........lol......Shoot out is Tues.......hopefully I get a little sleep in there sometime :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
:eek: DD I am shocked LOL

so have we decided..a start time? And are we going to just stick to the trails or try to do Touch and the hatchery too? That seems like a bunch to squeeze into one day...
I can wander for at least an hour or two just on the trillum trail LOL and we must take mrs life on the one hat cuts through the rocks - I think it is the nature trail..I'll know it when I see it on the map LOL

Getting more excited about it everyday! I am trying to get plenty of rest so I won't be pooping out on every one..

G we can still do 9 am I guess........want me to do a poll???? We need to prolly do the trail in the am, maybe eat around 1 or so and then see how much time you have left or whatever and maybe get ton or the hatchery in...do you have to have any reservations at either??? I can't remember??

Um yea, I was just gonna stay home and try to rest up but it looks like I am going back out this am......:eek: If something catches on fire like within 2 miles of me I aian't going back........:cool:

That sounds good to me too. DD, I'll be sure to leave the fishing rods behind when we go to the fishery.

If you have the ambition for a poll, have right at it LOL your plan sounds good to me..or maybe at lunch take a vote and see what we all would want to do after lunch? See how everyone's energy levels etc are running...I won't have to leave until about 4:30 - 4:45 so...we'll just see how the day unfolds.

I figure discussing what else to do over lunch will be good for us. What do y'all think Bam? You think G's idea for that is a good one?

That's fine.....If b comes with the kids though I was thinking maybe we could stop in at the hatchery or ton with them...I don't think that would be quite as hard as draggin them along a trail........That's just a thought though...
Sounds good ........we can eat, chew, talk , chew, talk, eat, talk talk......:D :D

Oh, I almost forgot to ask. Is it alright if I bring my little sister with me to the shootout? She's an amateur photographer too - did black & white film in high school, and she's got the morning off from school...

Chym I don't think anyone will say no, the more the merrier.. although I will most likely not be there!

Oh, I almost forgot to ask. Is it alright if I bring my little sister with me to the shootout? She's an amateur photographer too - did black & white film in high school, and she's got the morning off from school...

Why yeah.......We aian't gonna care......B is just bringing the kids over for lunch because i don't think they would make it all day....He said Oh that's fine that he would watch them but, Im thinking he would rather be in a tree stand that morning..:D

Oh, I almost forgot to ask. Is it alright if I bring my little sister with me to the shootout? She's an amateur photographer too - did black & white film in high school, and she's got the morning off from school...

Is it OK?????!!!! Heck yeah!

Ok ok got my reminder on email about the shoot out.............lol.

Meeting at the visitors center at 8

Watch the 10 min video about giant city.....

Go on the trails until 12


Then eat at the Lodge around 12 to 1

Then TON? or the Hatchery? 1-3

Leave around 3-4


Sound good?

If we only get to go to one, would you guys rather go to Touch of Nature or The hatchery????


http://www.ton.siu.edu/

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/interprt/litgras.htm

I think I'd rather do the fish hatchery....just my vote :)

We might have a chance to do them both......depending on the time......when do you have to leave???
The hatch is only open until 3:30 I think it was ...

I have to be at a BD party up here by about 6:15 and even though it's a hot tub party..I would like a few minutes to lay down before I go over there...so I don't fall asleep in the tub..although, those friends have seen me do that before...LOL

We've got lots of time ourselves since we're spending the night at C'Dale and have the next day off too. As for which, I think we'll go with whatever everyone else wants to do. I haven't been to TON in about 13+ years, but I've never been to the fishery, so either one would be fun.

Well so far G is in the lead with the hatchery..........will see what Chy and baby chy wants to do too though.......might have time for both.......I haven't been in a coon's age though........

It's been a while since I went to Giant City and both times I was a passenger. I know how to get there, but wanted to make sure I find y'all. If I recall correctly the lodge is north of the park itself. Am I right? Where is the visitors' center from there?

Tomorrow morning at 8:00. I've already briefed Mrs Life that we have to leave before 6am. I'll set up the coffeemaker tonight and have some breakfast for eatin on the road. See you tomorrow morning y'all.

Thank god your not gonna leave her in the car......I was worried about that........


The visitors center is new......it prolly wasn't there the last time you where but it is actually before you get to the lodge....
Are you just gonna take Giant City Rd. All the way down???
The visitors center is big and brick-stone like a tan color I believe... Looks really nice.........It will be off on the right but before you get to the lodge and cabins.....and there is a parking lot there too...........you will pass, the playgrounds and horsestables and all.....


I kinda thinking it would be nice to get a cabin down there tomorrow......:rolleyes: :rolleyes: Someone told me that they remodeled???
But I don't know the price now............Ill have to look again....the chicken dinner went up I know that...??? Prolly won't be that bad for lunch though......

Before the lodge coming from C'dale? Of course there should be a sign too, right?

Naw, I wouldn't really leave her in the truck overnight. (The truck's a lot more comfy for my legs than the car.) I might joke about it, but I'd never do it. I just might have to start waking her up a bit early and wave some strong coffee under her nose to get her attention.

yea, I know you wouldn't have life......your not that silly to do that to a woman............:D :D

Yea, the visitors center is off to the right before the lodge......yup, there is a big sign there........heck, I might even have a pic somewhere....

you know I bet we could cover every mile of southern illinois with our pics........I think I could put mine together to carbondale one way and to creal the other.....lol.....:D :D

I think the cabins are booked pretty far in advance..every time I've checked for others they've been booked..especially this time of year..
Life how are you going to Carbondale? are you running across 13 all the way? if you are, stop here and I'll show you the back way to C'dale that's a little quicker and twice as scenic LOL - and lead you in...

We're staying in the Days Inn in Carbondale. Didn't have any problems getting a reservation there, and it includes breakfast.

Is it quicker going down 13 than taking 62 to 57 and down? Since we're both going the same direction that makes sense. What time should I be in Coulterville?

And Bam, it's not because she's a woman but because she's my wife. I have to live with the consequences if I do something like that to her. Oh yeah, it wouldn't be pretty. The dogs would be complaining that I snore and take up too much of their space in the doghouses. If you knew my aunts though...but that's another story. :D (One of my aunts is a couple years younger than me and she'd probably deserve it. :rolleyes: )

Going 13 will be alot quicker than going over to I-57, I-57 to Carbondale may take you 15 minutes or it may take you 30-40 depending on the stoplights and the alignment of the stars

Life, are you talking about 64- to 57??? After you get to Marion then you would have to go over to C-dale .......that's gonna be like 25 mins or so in the morning like that.......Then you would still have to hit Giant City Rd. South in Carbondale and go down.....I aian't even gonna begin to tell anyone the way I am going........lol.....Bird or G might know......lol......Im taking the scenic route........:D :D

Might wanna check out the campus while you are there, Cedar Lake?? , Dick's Sporting Goods, Mary Lous, oh and the refuge aian't that far from you.......you could check out the deer at night right before sunset out there........might even see Chy or I ..:D :D lol....


Can you all think of anything else that the life's might wanna do????
I still wanna go to that memorial park thingy on Giant City Rd. I haven't had a chance to stop yet.......and I already mentioned the wine trails.. what about Bald Knob? Little Grand Canyon??? lol......ok ok enough......How long are you staying............:eek:


Did you do a map quest yet???

LIttle Grand Canyon is a pretty good haul from Carbondale.
Bam Giant city ain't far at all from you area, depending on which scenic route you take.

It is??? Like how far?? I don't remember it being that far???

No, I didn't say it was a far drive for me.....I just said I was gonna take the scenic route instead of going over to 57 to Marion to RT 13 and then over to carbondale and back down to giant city
Im just gonna take the backway, it's closer for me............Ill just have to watch for deer...folks are saying they are moving more.....

25 miles but about a 45 minute drive.

Im just gonna take the backway, it's closer for me............Ill just have to watch for deer...folks are saying they are moving more.....

LOE road to US 37, US 37 to IL 148, to Grassy Rd, to Giant city blacktop.

25 miles but about a 45 minute drive.

Gosh, I don't remember that being that far at all but it has been like 10 years since I was there............
I guess I was young and in love..........The time just flew by.........:D

umm do we have a rain plan??? looking a little like there's a possibility of rain.....course they've promised rain before...

LOE road to US 37, US 37 to IL 148, to Grassy Rd, to Giant city blacktop.

Dane Bird, what did you do look it up? lol......Pretty close!!! That way is alot faster......just gotta watch out for the deer and all the turns.......Gosh, I hope I don't get sidetracked on the way... stopping and taking some pics........I bet the sun will be coming up won't it??? (hmmm?)

I have a little side road that I think I am gonna take instead though that will run me up by the prison..........So, If I don't make it in the morning, backtrack this route ok? lol............:D :D

umm do we have a rain plan??? looking a little like there's a possibility of rain.....course they've promised rain before...

Bring a rain coat......or ruff it........:eek:

Dane Bird, what did you do look it up? lol......Pretty close!!! That way is alot faster......just gotta watch out for the deer and all the turns.......Gosh, I hope I don't get sidetracked on the way... stopping and taking some pics........I bet the sun will be coming up won't it??? (hmmm?)

I did not need to look it up, I know the route and road names because I've traveled it often.
You got me stumped on the name of the road that goes by the prison but it turns north right on the west side of I-57 and brings you out at Grassy Rd.

That would be grange hall Bird..........lol........it comes out up on Grassy then you cross 148 and take the route like you usually do.........I got some fam through there, so sometimes I take that way.......at least to honk...lol :D

It sure does look like it might rain - are we just ruffin' it?

Bring a rain coat......or ruff it........:eek:

Dane I forgot about the cameras though........I don't know G??? We could still eat at the lodge and stay in there a while if we needed to. They have groups meet there all the time........


I doubt we will get any rain though ya think??? :rolleyes:


Ton still has an inside room there too........And of course there are the shelters throughout........


I guess if we run out of options we could put the cams up and just take some trails for a while, if you all are cool hiking in the rain......
We could also go back to the visitors center too.....They might even let us use that little room off to the side if we need too?? No one is usually ever there.......IDK?
What do you all think?

I think I will be running birddogs tomorrow, rain or shine!

I can only stay til noon anyway - my lil sister has class in the afternoon, but I might be able to come back after I drop her off.

Whatever we decide is fine with me - I've got rain gear for my camera and stuff, so as long as it's not pouring down, I'm game for just about anything.

Dane Chy, your gonna miss lunch.......lol.......
It don't matter to me really..........will see how things are but to have something rainned out would be Surprising!!!!!


:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

My cameras have been wet before..I'm game if it's raining..I can't imagine that it will..I've given up all kinds of hope of ever seeing rain again...

umm do we have a rain plan??? looking a little like there's a possibility of rain.....course they've promised rain before...

Get wet? We always have ponchos and umbrellas in the truck. We had a little sprinkling here while ago. I almost got wet walking to the WalMart store. On the radio they said they expect rain during rush hour (perfect timing?) then good weather the rest of the week. The weather forecasts have been changing minute by minute though.

Life..it's a good hour from here..a little longer if it's raining..so if you wante dto be here about 6:45 tha would be perfect..I can meet you at Casey's or Gas Mart..Casey's has better donuts..gas mart has better cappucino..either is fine with me..
or I can just pm you the directions...from 13 in coulterville
Trust me..going all th eway on 13 is quicker than 64-57 but horrifically mind numbing...

Ok and Im thinking just jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers??? Is that ok??? I don't think we will need our snake boots will we??? :eek: :eek:
OH lord.......I can just see us all now going into the lodge.....eps. if it rains..........:D :D

Mmmm...do nut.....I'll miss being with you guys. Be safe and get some pics that I can ponder when I get back.

Ok and Im thinking just jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers??? Is that ok??? I don't think we will need our snake boots will we??? :eek: :eek:
OH lord.......I can just see us all now going into the lodge.....eps. if it rains..........:D :D

No Bam, you have to wear an ankle length dress, blah blah blah..... :p :D

Just kidding of course. I'm wearing jeans, T-shirt, hiking boots, and bringing a heavier shirt and jacket just in case. Since we don't have any snake boots, I sure hope we don't need any.:cool:

I never travel without my boots..but I think we'll pretty safe on the trails..Bam..just wear what ever it is you usually wear in the woods..

Life..it's a good hour from here..a little longer if it's raining..so if you wante dto be here about 6:45 tha would be perfect..I can meet you at Casey's or Gas Mart..Casey's has better donuts..gas mart has better cappucino..either is fine with me..
or I can just pm you the directions...from 13 in coulterville
Trust me..going all th eway on 13 is quicker than 64-57 but horrifically mind numbing...

Coulterville is less than an hour from here so 6:45 would be a piece of cake. Either one's OK for us. Driving 13 isn't near as mind numbing as the interstate. We usually take the interstate when hauling the boat to Rend.

Nice steady rain here..and calling for rain all night according to the farm weather/radar..looks like it should clear off tomorrow am though..possiblity of some storms around noon..

Rain......what???? It Aian't Rainning Here? :(

Good slow staedy soaky rain and has been for an hour or so..I sure hope it lasts all night..

Good slow staedy soaky rain and has been for an hour or so..I sure hope it lasts all night..

Hey maybe shrooms?????:confused: Although it aian't rainning here ?

Hey maybe shrooms?????:confused: Although it aian't rainning here ?

I was just telling my mom today that the mushrooms might come out after this rain. Yeah, it's been raining for a while now, a slow soaker. Just what the doctor ordered for this parched earth.

Since it's probably moving west to east, you should be getting it soon Bam.

Gretchen, I'm hoping those shrooms I saw on the side of this oak stump come back so I can confirm what they are with you. I think they're hen of the woods. If so, yum!

I'm hoping we find some tomorrow...I think you can still collect shrooms there..

Now that would be fun.

I really hope this brings on at least a small fall crop...the weather all week is looking right for it...

It's raining over here!

Dane, yall.......I guess Im the only one in true southern illinois .......lol....cause it aian't rainning a drop here??????

Be patient it's headed your way....

I may not be able to make it tomorrow. My little sister is trying to get into the doctor and if she gets an appointment, she wants me to go with her. I'm not very happy about it, but since she really doesn't have anyone else, I have a hard time telling her no.

If I pm Bam or Gretchen with my cellphone #, could you pm me back with one of yours so that if I can come halfway thru the day, I can call you and meet you somewhere?

Bleah. I'm frustrated about this. I really want to go, but at the same time, I'm basically her only parent (I've pretty much raised her since she was 12). Grrrr.

Hi Chy,

I hope you're at least able to spend part of the day with us. If her doc's like ours you have to be half dead to get a same day appointment. Anything else takes about 4 weeks. (I'm retired military so we have the govt taking care of our medical care. Also what was free now isn't. That's what happens when the govt takes care of your medical. :()

I may not be able to make it tomorrow. My little sister is trying to get into the doctor and if she gets an appointment, she wants me to go with her. I'm not very happy about it, but since she really doesn't have anyone else, I have a hard time telling her no.

If I pm Bam or Gretchen with my cellphone #, could you pm me back with one of yours so that if I can come halfway thru the day, I can call you and meet you somewhere?

Bleah. I'm frustrated about this. I really want to go, but at the same time, I'm basically her only parent (I've pretty much raised her since she was 12). Grrrr.

Chy, I pmd ya..............

Gee life..we have had exceptional care at the VA..and I'm not being sarcastic...I have no complaints...but all you really have to say is chest pain..and they move pretty fast....

What was bed time again?? lol.....

about 20 minutes from now..I am multitasking thank you. A skill you are teaching me...soon as I get the stuff emailed to the paper I'm out of here..I sure hope the article doesn't have any answers to silo threads in it...ROFL

about 20 minutes from now..I am multitasking thank you.

lol..........that's my style.........:p
from the wash to the dryer and that's it tonight......:D :D

oh and it did start rainning tonight............

about 20 minutes from now..I am multitasking thank you. A skill you are teaching me...soon as I get the stuff emailed to the paper I'm out of here..I sure hope the article doesn't have any answers to silo threads in it...ROFL

Watch out G...........lol......Mo found a mag. in the fridge the other day!:eek: :eek: lol......And b didnt have no jelly on his pb and j..or a fork for his lunchbucket......:o :o ........lol...

Ok ok......Im getting the last load out right now and hanging them up and then I am hanging it up for the night......
See ya rain or shine.......:D :D
Ill prolly leave here around 7:30 or so in the am....Watch out for the pawprints.............:rolleyes:

We're up and getting ready to load up. We should be on the road in about 20 minutes to Coulterville. See y'all soon.

Sounds good Life...........call me if you all need too........Im fixin to get ready......;)

Chy, if you happen to get on, g just called and said the life's are running a little late.. so we prolly won't be there until about 8:30.......which is fine for me.......Gives me a little breathing room (sighs) :D :D

You guys and gals be safe and have fun out there. :)

Back and ready to hit the sack, but no time for that!!!!!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:

well. give us a report...EIGHTEEN PAGES OF THREADS! for this post! it had better be good! lol

I think lock this mess and start a new thread!

I think lock this mess and start a new thread!

SHE MADE IT! howd it go?

You know we are the talkers on here...........I thought I replied to this????
IDK>>

We had to see who all was coming and when we were meeting and such.....

Gretchen closed at your wish!!!!!!!!

you mean you have the power to just stop a thread?

Closed>>>>:D