After visiting the LOTR exhibit and touring around White River SP, I took of for Illinois at 4:45 PM to beat traffic. The drive there went by fast and I arrived at the Garden of the Gods, Illinois, earlier than expected. I pitched my tent and eventually went to bed hoping Kyle Lapczynski and Erin would see my car when they arrived. I dreamed that night that Kyle and Erin showed up but little got accomplished. I had an "Oh Shit" feeling when I woke up at 7:30 AM (eastern) and didn't see Kyle's car. I assumed they camped at backpacker parking. After a quick round of the park, I parked near observation trail and hiked into the woods with my camera in hand. I first viewed Anvil Rock and a flower-like sandstone formation nearby. The light didn't yet illuminate properly for a good picture so I continued along the hillside checking out the views I occasionally enjoyed from the cliffs. I eventually saw Noahs Ark and proceeded a little further ahead where I waited as sunlight began to crest the hill behind. I photographed the fall colors, woods, rocks, trees, and a wilted prickly pear cactus and then headed back to Anvil Rock which sunshine now better illuminated. Then, I walked back to my car where I met Kyle and Erin. It turns out they parked in the campsite next to me but I did not recognize Erin's car.
We toured the real Garden of the Gods Observation trail. The sandstone formation cliffs lit by the morning sun looked striking. We hopped around on the boulders taking pictures and followed the loop trail back to the cars while catching up on each others lives. Then we briefly toured what I'd seen earlier and drove to Equality Cave, Illinois. To Equality Cave
Garden of the Gods
Illinois fall foliage.
Illinois fall foliage.
Garden of the Gods
Sandstone bathed in early morning light.
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Viewed:
Garden of the Gods
Sandstone bathed in early morning light.
It's a prickly pear cactus.
Garden of the Gods
Some cool looking tree.
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Viewed:
Garden of the Gods
Some cool looking tree.
Kind of woodsy.
Garden of the Gods
Kind of woodsy.
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Viewed:
Garden of the Gods
Kind of woodsy.
Sandstone formation next to the Anvil.
Garden of the Gods
Sandstone formation next to the Anvil.
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Viewed:
Garden of the Gods
The bottom of Anvil Rock bathed in spotty sunlight.
The bottom of the Anvil Rock lit by spotty sunlight.
Garden of the Gods
Sandstone formation next to the Anvil Rock.
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Garden of the Gods
It's a camel. Yes, I realize this is pretty much the classic shot.
Kyle and Erin posing in the Garden of the Gods, Illinois.
Garden of the Gods
Kyle flying. Do you see the moon?
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Garden of the Gods
Beautiful view from Garden of the Gods, Illinois.
Beautiful view from Garden of the Gods, Illinois.
Garden of the Gods
Erin checks out the sandstone cliffs.
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Garden of the Gods
Another Garden of the Gods classic shot. It's Camel Rock!