View southwesterly across the Mississippi river valley earlier today. We hiked up to the top of the bluff at Fults Hill Prairie Nature Preserve in Monroe County, IL - this was one of the vistas that greeted Mrs. Duck and I! 1.4 mile loop trail accessed from the bottoms along Bluff Road. Gained 400 feet elevation in the first 0.2 miles (i.e.: straight up), with a slightly less inclined descent at the other end. Good leg burner. Lots of fall color along the bluffs. Not really heavy on the reds, but really vibrant overall. Surprising based on how little rainfall there's been the past two months. Good day to be out and about!