Midwest Mary

Twisted trees, magical creatures calling and crawling around me, and fresh air. Hiking through the forest has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I’m fascinated by the countless natural gifts that await.

Aside from where there is smoke from wildfires and allergens from floating spores, forests offer cleaner, fresher air than busy towns. The woods tend to be outside of industrial fumes. The trees filter the air while leaves and the trees’ bark absorbs harmful gases and traps dust and soot. In addition, photosynthesis takes in carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen into the air.

As much as I enjoy hiking, I was always concerned about safety while walking alone or with one other female friend. Thanks to one of my several wonderful friends with the name of Sue, I now have the perfect solution to safe hiking.

Sue, introduced me to the hiking group, Trailbound Trips, which offers outdoor adventures for women. These hikes are led by women for women. The hikes also offer the companionship of like-minded women who come from all walks of life, in addition to enjoying the walks through the woods.

Some members also say they joined because they feared falling alone in a desolate area. Others said they wanted to get outside in all seasons under all weather conditions.

Not every hike is alike, so hikers can choose one that fits their level of desired physical challenge. Typically they range from 3 to 4 miles long. There are trails that may be relatively easy on a firm path, those that are taken carefully along gravel pathways with falling acorns and black walnut pods underfoot, and those that move at a rapid pace over dense tree roots and large trunks.

The Trailbound website lists the quarterly schedule with details of each hike including the level of difficulty, estimated number of miles, and the terrain. The hiking guide also checks the route just prior to the group outing to assess flooding, mud, and insect impact.

A nominal fee for the hikes covers the guide and administrative expenses, such as other staff members and website management.

Hikes end with the option to enjoy a snack or bagged lunch together. This short break allows more opportunity to connect with fellow hikers.

A custom of Trailbound is to choose a trail name. The leader who I’ve come to know is Lucky Duck. Some of the members include Braveheart, Brownie Queen, Firefly, and Cannoli.

Guess the name I chose. I’ll tell you mine at the end of this post.

Here are some photos from the trails I’ve been on this fall with Trailbound.

Mallard Lake Forest Preserve, Hanover Park, Illinois on a very rainy day.

Silver Creek Conservation Area, Crystal Lake, Illinois.

Milkweed pods that are important to monarch butterflies.

Guides point out interesting plants along the way with information such as how to identify the difference between similar plants that may or may not be poisonous.

The following is Late Bonset (not toxic).

Below is White Snake Root, which is toxic.

A Merlin takes a moment of rest from its busy day.

And a Northern Flicker does the same.

Deer Grove West, Palatine, Illinois

I am intrigued by fungi, moss, and lichens on trees.

Look at this trunk with insect larvae from bark beetles or woodborers that chewed meandering paths as they fed beneath the tree bark. I think it looks like a secret message.

Coral Woods in Marengo, Illinois

Was this tree bent intentionally by indigenous people as a directional marker or did it simply grow this way?

How about this cluster of violet-toothed polypore mushrooms?

Isn’t the moss a pretty addition to this log?

A decaying trunk offers food and shelter for insects, birds, and small animals.

So, what do you think I chose for my hiker’s name? At one time, I might have chosen Running Deer. I rarely run anymore. I more often saunter or glide along (except on a rapid hike), so I’ve chosen Butterfly.

©Mary K. Doyle, 2026

Looking for a hostess gift for the holidays? You might want to consider Tranquility Transformation Transcendence: The Enchanting Promises of Public Gardens with its 72 photos of nature and 72 uplifting poems.