Trailbound Trips

04/22/2025

Trailbound hit a new destination, Savanna, IL to check out the Mississppi Flyway and the bird and waterfowl migration. With over 70 species identified, we walked the backwaters of the Mississippi river, the Mississippi Palisades, and the Thomson Lock and Dam.

Highlights included seeing many eagles and a young eaglet in its nest, over 2,500 American coots, the majestic white pelicans soaring like the blue angels, learning & seeing species of duck we didn't know existed, the gorgeous wildflowers in the Palisades, and good old fashion fun of hanging out with the Trailbound Wild Women :-)

Thanks to Laura Simpson and Barb Karon, our birding experts, who made this trip such a memorable learning experience.

04/19/2025

Stillman Nature Preserve is such an interesting, beautiful, special place, and so close for many of us. 80 acres tucked back from the road. Another wonderful find by the leaders of TBT!

The preserve is home to injured owls, falcons, and a turkey buzzard that are no longer able to survive in the wild. There are beautiful trails where wildflowers abound (squill and bloodroot this week) and ponds with heron, geese and ducks - just to name a few. It’s open to the public on Sundays and Mondays! Check out the preserve, and read the intriguing history of Alexander Stillman.

04/15/2025

Lucky Duck me... Today I found a new trail at Deer Grove, and I found my first spring wildflowers!!! Deer Grove west, not really known for it's wildflowers (as opposed to East which has an abundance), is where I found the spring beauties, bloodroot -which only blooms for 1 day!!!, and soon to bloom trout lilly.

04/13/2025

For some of us, the Marengo hike was our first outing after coming out of hibernation! We were so thankful that the rain held off.

We also learned how to take a Gen Z (.05) selfie from Sparkles! Try it!

Already looking forward to this week’s hike with this awesome group of Trailbound Trips women!! 🥾🥾

04/10/2025

So great to have another day at Marengo Ridge, and greateful to escape the rain! We loved the trees, the birds, trillium, frogs, abundant creeks, and walking together!

04/09/2025

So great to see the Wild Women of Trailbound up at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area yesterday. We had a blast hiking through these super tall pines and oak woodlands. Wildflowers almost ready to bloom here.

03/31/2025

Did you ever try and find the spring peeper that was making so much noise? Many times I have searched for this little frog, and walked away frustrated. Last week, I finally found the "Waldo" that was hiding, only because his moving/swelling vocal sac cought my eye. See if you can find this tiny frog my photos. Then, check out the sculpting artwork of a beaver from Volo Bog!!

03/19/2025

Spring Hikes are posted on the website, and will feature spring ephemerals and a taste of the wild side of nature. Purchase 4 hikes, and get a $40.00 discount. Use code: FREE40 OR, if it is your first time hiking with Trailbound, use code: FREEHIKE and come check us out!

03/09/2025

Today I had the privilege of seeing Kelly, aka "Jitterbug" and Jeanne, aka "Rupert", the new Trailbound mushers from our Northwoods trip. Kelly, who is a professional coffee roaster for Starbucks, created a "TRAILBOUND Blend".. Bold and adventerous with complex notes of fudge wafer and to***co. 😆 Kelly even created a scannable Spotify playlist on the label to listen to music reminiscent of our trip. "Who Let the Dogs Out".. woof.. woof woof. (not sold in stores) I can hardly wait for morning coffee!! Thank you Kelly!!

03/04/2025

The finale to winter hikes was at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville last week.. As always, the Trailbound wild women brought their fun and curiousity to the trail! So grateful for these women who share my joy of nature!

02/21/2025

Winter is better when you still get outside to meet friends! The last two weeks have been at Hickory Nut Grove-Lyons and Crabtree Nature Center. Both beautiful places to take in the vista, admire the strength of trees, laugh with friends, and still be a kid.. -- Next week, our last winter hike is at Old School in Libertyville. Come join us!

02/12/2025

Finally, I was able to experience the highly acclaimed "Northwoods Trip", now a 10 year tradition, and it exceeded expectations! We loved the dogs, and the dogs loved us. Exploring through the ice caves and snowshoeing in the pristine Tahquamenon Falls was truly magical. We are already excited about next year!!

01/31/2025

Such a special time at Lakewood Forest Preserve this week! Much laughter and fun as we explored the trails together.

01/24/2025

Winter hikes have begun!! Last week, we conquered the Glacial Park kames, saw eagles & bluebirds, and then on to Deer Grove this week with the new snow and beautiful ravines. So great to be outside in these forests!
Join us next week at Lakewood Forest Preserve for a fabulous boost to your week!

01/18/2025

Once in a while, Trailbound likes to highlight a hiker, "Someone you should know". Georgianne Harms brings to our community her creative and thoughtful heart through writing. She also happens to be teaching creative writing at Harper this spring.. a bonus for all! Catch her on the trails this winter and spring to get to know this beautful woman.

01/07/2025

Good morning!! We all know it's good for us on many levels to get outside with friends and hike. Here is one article about getting outside this winter I thought you'd like. Join us for winter day hikes starting next week!

Don't let winter get you down! Get Outside and start reaping the proven mental and physical benefits of spending just 2 hours a week in nature

12/19/2024

https://abc7chicago.com/survivor-reminds-others-not-ignore-heart-attack-signs-symptoms-ahead-holiday-gatherings/15669665/
Did anyone know that more heart attacks occur over the holidays than any other time of the year?
Here is the story of Trailbound Hiker, Chris Betz, aka "Mountain Mama".. We are so grateful for this miracle, and that she is with us today!

The winter holidays can turn deadly as research shows that more people die from heart attacks during the last week of December than at any other time of the year.

12/17/2024

Trailbound hiker, Chris Betz, wants to encourage you all to "watch your stress" this holiday season. She is being interviewd by ABC today, about how anyone can have a Heart Attack, and will be telling her story. See her interview today, during the 6:00 news (probably close to 6:20ish)

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