Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Russell Cave NM

                       

How Long is a Long Time Ago?

Russell Cave is an archaeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. Thousands of years ago a portion of Russell Cave's entrance collapsed, creating a shelter that, for more than 10,000 years, was home to prehistoric peoples. Today it provides clues to the daily lifeways of early North American inhabitants dating from 10,000 B.C. to 1650 A.D.
Jan 31 2012
Got to spend an afternoon exploring the cave then had a nice hike with the wife and dogs. This is one of those parks that is less visited but well worth the trip to see. 

May 10 2011
This was a solo trip, learned allot and planned out some hiking trails for a return trip with the wife.


Our 59th NPS Unit



                                                       
 





Saturday, January 28, 2012

Chickamauga NMP


                                                    
                                                                          

Death Knell of the Confederacy

In 1863, Union and Confederate forces fought for control of Chattanooga, known as the "Gateway to the Deep South." The Confederates were victorious at nearby Chickamauga in September. However, renewed fighting in Chattanooga that November provided Union troops victory and control of the city. After the fighting, a Confederate soldier ominously wrote, "This...is the death-knell of the Confederacy."
Jan 28, 2012
This was my second trip to this park and this time I got bring the wife and dogs along. Lookout Mountain provided a great view of Chattanooga today as we had perfect weather. We took in the small Visitors Center at Lookout Mountain and then headed out to get in a nice hike around the battlefield with the dogs. After our hike on Lookout Mountain, we headed down to the Chickamauga Battlefield stopping first at the Visitors Center. This is a large VC with lots of displays and information on both Battles, After the VC we took a tour of the battlefield stopping at all of the turn outs and hiking with the dogs. It struck us at how close the opposing sides were during the battle. This unit took us around 6 hours to see both sites.

May 22, 2011
Solo trip to take in Lookout Mountain. The views are amazing, and you get a good sense of the struggles it took to take back this Mountain from the Confederates. I spent an hour here this trip and there is more to see. I will be making a return trip here with the wife and we will also include a trip to the Chickamauga Battlefield site. 


Our 60th NPS Unit