Appalachian NST

Footpath for the People:

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,180+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.

30 Nov 2019

Hiked another couple miles of the trail near Great Smokies NP

15 July 2014
Got to take a short hike on the trail in Shenandoah NP

7 Sept 2012
Got to take a hike on the trail in the Great Smokies NP

22 Apr 1996
We will never hike the whole trail, but we can do a few hikes whenever it corresponds with a park site. We did that at Harpers Ferry.

NPS Website

Our 33rd NPS Unit

Guilford Courthouse NMP

The Battle of Guilford Courthouse - a Victory Within a Defeat: 

"I never saw such fighting since God made me. The Americans fought like demons." - Lt. General Charles, Earl Cornwallis. On March 15, 1781, six years into the American Revolution, General Greene and Lord Cornwallis' troops faced off at a small courthouse community. This 2.5-hour battle would change the course of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution. 

26 Nov 2019
Stopped by to catch up and see what was new. Took in a great movie and the exhibits at the Visitor Center. We skipped the road tour as we had done that before. Great site to get an understanding of the events the lead up to the Battle of Yorktown and the end of the Revolutionary war.

31 May 1999
Took in all this park had to offer. This site gives you a great understanding of the history and timeline of the Revolutionary War.

Click here for photos of our 26 Nov 2019 visit

NPS Website

Our 43rd NPS Unit

First Ladies NHS

"...a position where I can do the most good..." Eleanor Roosevelt:

First Ladies National Historic Site consists of two properties in downtown Canton, Ohio - the home of First Lady Ida Saxton-McKinley and our Education Center. Come learn about how the position of First Lady has evolved over time to include a public role. 

2 Nov 2019
We took in this small unit with a different expectation then what we got out of it. We were just in time for the tour of the Ida Saxton-McKinley house. We had a great tour of the house with a very knowable volunteer. The house was close to the wrecking ball but was saved and restored. When taking in the unit a tour of the house is a must. After the tour we headed back to the Visitor Center. The center is small, and the displays are on a rotational basis. We got to take in the current display. The history of the First Ladies of Ohio. There were more from Ohio than any other state, 7 were born or lived in Ohio. We did not take in the library to learn about the other First Ladies. We expected to learn about all the First Ladies but that is not the case here unless you take in the library to do the research.

Click here for photos of our visit

NPS Website

Our 142nd NP Site