I'm attended SIU in the early 70s. Spent several years enjoying Shawnee. The Garden of the Gods is my favorite place in the entire world. I live in the Dallas Texas area. For hiking, I go to Caprock Canyons and Palo Duro, both Texas State parks. I also like the Wichita Mountains in Southern Oklahoma. Shawn would like all three of these venues, lots of bluffage.
I hope to get back to Shawnee soon (visited a couple of years ago). I'll only do it during cold weather though. I don't trust the snakes there. Ironically, back when I was a "smart" SIU student, a group of us went bushwacking during the peak migration time at Snake Road.
I appreciate Shawn's and Michelle's efforts as "ambassadors" of the Shawnee. I "live the dream" watching those videos.