Harrisburg Library Book Talk/Signing

On Tuesday, September 16th, Dr. Jim Schroeder will be giving a presentation/discussion from 5-6:30 PM at the Harrisburg District Library.  He will be selling his books and doing a signing after the book talk.  The talk will focus on his newest book entitled On the Trail With My Kids:  From the Ohio River to the Mighty Mississippi.  The book details the 4-year journey of segment hiking the River to River trail with his four oldest kids, and other friends and family that joined along the way.  Part comedic travelogue, part historical commentary, part personal reflection on life’s uncertainties, and part backpacking guide with kids, On the Trail With My Kids is a book for those who would like to experience the richness and rewards that a long walk and a night in the woods can have for mind, body, and soul. 

Jim Schroeder is a pediatric psychologist and married father of 8 children ranging in ages from 19 to 5.  He is the Vice President and Training Director of the Department of Psychology & Wellness at Easterseals Rehabilitation Center in Evansville, Indiana, where he and his family live.  He is the author of seven books, hundreds of articles, and a yearlong podcast, all of which can be found on his website:  www.james-schroeder.com.  He regularly bikes and runs to work and is always thinking about his next backpacking trip.

The event is open and free to the public.  All of his books will be sold at reduced cost from the Amazon list price.  Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from all the book sales will go to the River to River Trail Society.  

Saturday June 7, 2025 Annual Meeting and Picnic

On Saturday June 7th,2025, the River to River Trail Society held its annual meeting at the Vienna Illinois city park. We had a gathering of over 20 people, including 2 gents from the U.S. Forest service. The business meeting was held first, with a “first” for the Society…Megan Henderson from Belknap was elected President and Marcus Owens was elected treasurer.  The other 2 officers remained the same, Chris Drone and Gillum Ferguson, remaining as vice-president and secretary, respectively, and Clint Stevens as a new board member.  Bill Gilmour, the president for the past 8-10 years, will be moving to Michigan, and the general consensus was that the office of the president should be fulfilled by someone who lives in the general area of Southern Illinois. 

   The 2 gents (Dennis Wilson & Felipe Cano) from the Forest Service informed us about “goings-on” locally with trails and other issues, but, nothing out of the ordinary or major was happening. 

   Our guest speaker for the day was Dr. Teresa Steckler, Phd, University of Illinois, stationed at Dixon Springs experiment station, who spoke on the increasing problems with the various species of ticks. She had a lot of handouts and brochures, spoke at length on the various problems, not only with humans, but, also with livestock and pets. Recognition, preventative measures and other important information was all very helpful .

   Then, the Dennis Wilson from the Forest Service presented Bill Gilmour with a plaque and also told Bill, and the crowd, that a portion of the River to River trail, in the Dutchman lake area, will be designated the Bill Gilmour section, in recognition of all the work that Bill has done for the River to River Trail, trail mapping and hiking in general, in Southern Illinois over the last 15 years. 

By that time, Fred Scott had gotten his cooking & grilling done and everyone “dove into” the various dishes and delicacies brought by everyone attending. One of the delicacies even included blue “i” trail marker cup cakes.

The plan was to do some biking after the meal, but, the clouds kept threatening possible rain showers and no one seemed to be brave enough to head off on the Tunnel Hill bike trail.

River-to-River Trail Society Announces Fall, 2025 Hiking Schedule

The River-to River Trail Society announces its schedule of free guided hikes in and about the Shawnee National Forest for Fall, 2025. All hikes are open to the public free of charge. No reservations are required except where noted on schedule. These hikes are of at least moderate difficulty, and are intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. Boots or sturdy shoes and a walking stick are recommended for all hikes. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please.

2025 Fall Hiking ScheduleDownload

The River-to-River Trail Society is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation founded in 1993 by John O’Dell to promote completion of the River-to-River Trail, which now runs 160 miles through the Shawnee National Forest between Elizabethtown on the Ohio River and Grand Tower on the Mississippi River. The Society engages in trail maintenance and advocacy, and it offers free guided hikes to members and the public during the spring and fall hiking seasons. In addition, the Society has a Trail Guide to the entire River-to-River Trail, which can be downloaded for free from the Society’s website: http://www.rivertorivertrail.net/.