On another sunny Saturday, at the top of High Knob just north of Karbers Ridge, Todd Carr gathered 20 hikers, to lead off with some pictures of L.O. Trigg and  the beginning of the Shawnee National Forest. We headed down and around the base of the knob, then down the road a few ft.  to turn east on the River to River Trail. We saw several cabins…err..rustic but ready “b&bs”, and then turned North a few feet then found smaller trails, heading west.  Often switch-backing, crossing a few streams, with Todd stopping every so often and adding a bit of history, lore and whimsy to the hike. We crossed several streams, took a snack break, then continued on to the area where the Grindstaff family, brothers Robin & Preston had lived, and Hutt creek. From there, it was a few minutes until we got to Coulter spring.  We took the group picture with everyone on the North edge of the spring. This area was also not far from L.O. Trigg’s former “get-a-way” of Resthaven.  It was a house and small farm where Mr. Trigg would come to kick back, relax and think. Todd informed us about the “short grave” of Elizabeth Grindstaff and the area’s other legends. Mr. Trigg, of 1 political persuasion, was able to convince President Franklin Roosevelt, of the opposite political persuasion, to sign legislation starting the Shawnee National Forest.  From there, we hiked on out to the road where pickups were left to ferry the hikers back up to the top of High Knob. In all, we hiked a bit over 5 miles today.  The hike for Saturday, March, 15th, will be led  by Marcus Owens, in the Jackson Falls area, east of Ozark, Illinois.  Until then, See ya’ll On the Trail