Fort Donelson NB

 

"Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in Capitals on the maps of our United Country..."

Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North and stunned the South. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union. 

19 Nov 2025

As we always do, we started this unit at the Visitor Center. They only have a small temporary trailer right now (since 2005) due to remodeling of the Visitor Center. Those that think our government works fast should do a study on that fiasco. We picked up our normal things but did not do the movie, we will watch it online later. We headed out on a 11-stop loop. The loop is well done and follows the battle well. We did not know much about the battle here, but we now have a clear understanding about how important this victory was for the Union and how it marked the start of beginning of the end of the Civil War. Daisy got her new BARK Ranger tag after doing the required three pictures with us and showing the Ranger. We spent three hours here on this visit. 

Click here for photos of our visit

NPS Website

Our 184th NPS Unit

   

Grand Teton NP

Mountains of the Imagination:

Rising above a scene rich with extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain, the Teton Range stands monument to the people who fought to protect it. These are mountains of the imagination. Mountains that led to the creation of Grand Teton National Park where you can explore over two hundred miles of trails, float the Snake River or enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place.

Aug 17, 2025

We decided to extend our yearly Yellowstone visit to Teton NP this year. We stopped at the Colter Bay visitors Center and the many turnouts between Colter Bay and The Craig Thomas Discovery Center and Visitor Center.  We stopped at the Chapel of the Transfiguration to take in one of the most spectacular views at any of the National Parks, maybe this is a bit biased but so far in our visits this sits in the top stop so far. We then headed over to a new part of the park we have not been to before, Mormon Row. this is a must do to take in the views and history of the area. After taking in all we could for the day we headed for home. This trip was a long day but well worth the extra time that we normally spend on our Yellowstone trips.

June 23, 2023

We made a short stop at the Colter Bay Visitor Center to take a break from the drive down to Salt Lake City. 

April 1993 Unknown Date
Karen and I took in a few more of the sites in the beautiful park. As always, we are wanting to make a return visit.

July 1990 Unknown Date
Us and our kids got to take in the granger of this park with a stop at the Colter Bay and Jenny Lake Visitor Centers. The views were amazing and I'm sure we will be making a return visit.

Click here for pictures of our visit 2025

NPS Website

Our 5th NPS Unit and 3rd National Park

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway:

Located at the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway connects Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. The late conservationist and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. made significant contributions to several national parks including Grand Teton, Acadia, Great Smoky Mountains, and Virgin Islands. In 1972 Congress dedicated a 24,000-acre parcel of land as John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway to recognize his generosity and foresight. Congress also named the highway from the south boundary of Grand Teton to West Thumb in Yellowstone in honor of Rockefeller. The parkway provides a natural link between the two national parks and contains features characteristic of both areas. In the parkway, the Teton Range ramps down a gentle slope at its northern end, while rocks born of volcanic flows from Yellowstone line the Snake River and form outcrops scattered atop hills and ridges.

Aug 17, 2025

We drove the Parkway on our way for a day in Grand Teton NP. We did make a quick stop at Flagg Ranch. We may have to do a camping trip here to use as a base camp to better explore all this area has to offer.  

June 23, 2023

We passed though on our way to Salt Lake City today. No stops this time but we do plan on stopping at Flagg Ranch one of these times. 

Apr 1993 Date unknown
Made the drive up to Cody from the Tetons with Karen.

Jul 1990 Date unknown
Made the drive down with the kids. This is a short drive but has much to offer. This road is the link between Yellowstone NP and Grand Tetons NP. We spent the drive trying to spot wildlife, but no luck.

NPS Web site

Our 4th NPS Unit 

Chickasaw NRA

 

An Oklahoma Oasis

Springs, streams, lakes - whatever its form, water is the attraction at Chickasaw National Recreation Area. On March 17, 1976, Congress abolished Platt National Park and folded the property into Chickasaw National Recreation Area. 

30 May 2025

We had a perfect day to take in this National Park now a National Recreation Area. We headed out along the East loop road and took in the Waterfalls of Travertine creek. We found our first surprise when we got to the crossing of the creek only to find out that there is no bridge and you must ford the creek thought two feet of water. We made it to the Visitor Center and after a talk with the Ranger we took in the movie that explained how this unit went from being established as first Sulpher Springs Reservation in 1902 to Platt National Park in 1906 to Chickasaw National Recreation Area in 1976. We then went through the Visitor Centers exhibits and then headed out too Little Niagara Falls. Daisy got to have a great playtime at the Falls until she slipped on the rocks and got an unintended swimming Lesson. This was her first time to be swimming and not just wading. We all had a good laugh and after drying out she was none the less ready to continue her exploring. We then headed out and stopped at a few of the springs and then a stop at Veterans Lake and got in a nice walk. We made stops at Pavillion Springs and Hillside Springs heading out. This was a great unit to take in with so much to see and do. We spent 4 hours here. 

Click here for photos of our visit

NPS Website

Our 183rd NPS Unit

      

       

Freedom Riders NM

The World Witnessed the Violence:

In 1961, a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed the bus. Images of the attack appeared in hundreds of newspapers, shocking the American public and spurring the Federal Government to issue regulations banning segregation in interstate travel.

Apr 2, 2025

This unit is fairly new to the NPS, being established in 2017 and is just starting to come together to tell the importance of what happened here in 1961 and how it played a role in the signing of the Civil Rights act in 1964. The bus station is being used as the intern Visitor Center and only open on Wednesday. We had good timing this trip and made it while it was open. We watched the movie that is PBS documentary of the Civil Rights Movement, only a small part deals with the events here, the movie is long taking in all of the events of the Civil Rights movement. We took in the informational banners, then had a nice talk with the Rangers on a wide range of topics. We headed outside to take in the informational plaques and wall mural. There are plans to bring the Bus Station back to the look of the time period and the building next door will become the Visitor center. We spent 2 hours here. 

Click here for photos of our visit

NPS Website

 Our 182nd NPS Unit

Moores Creek National Battlefield

 

"King George and Broadswords!"

In the early morning hours of February 27, 1776, Loyalist forces charged across a partially dismantled Moores Creek Bridge. Beyond the bridge, nearly 1,000 North Carolina Patriots waited quietly with cannons and muskets poised to fire. This battle marked the last broadsword charge by Scottish Highlanders and the first significant victory for the Patriots in the American Revolution.

4 Mar 2025

This Park protects the land of a Revolutionary Battlefield for a battle that lasted less than four minutes. This was the first major victory for the patriots and set in motion the road to victory in the Revolutionary war for the United States. We started this visit at the Visitor Center taking in the offered ten-minute movie that did a great job at explaining the battle here and what it meant to starting the march to independence for the United States. There is a great timeline of both the Carolina's and the United States along the walls and the Center also has great exhibits from the time of the battle. After the Visitors Center we picked up Daisy's BARK Program pamphlet and headed out to take in the one-mile Historic trail. This trail makes a loop around the Battlefield taking in the breast works, the reconstructed bridge and the monuments. We finished our walk, and Daisy got another collar tag to add to her collection. We spent around 3 hours exploring this site.

NPS Website

Click here for Photos of our visit on 4 Mar 2025

Our 181st NPS Unit

Cowpens NB

“…our success was complete…”  -- Daniel Morgan, January 19, 1781

A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic military tactic, known as a double envelopment, secured a patriot victory.

Feb 28, 2025

We made a return trip today to let Daisy get her BARK Ranger Certificate, no new collar tags this time. We picked up a booklet for Daisy and headed out to the trail. We enjoyed the booklet and Daisy enjoyed taking in the smells of all the critters that call this area home. After the Trail Walk, we stopped at the Visitor Center and Daisy got her Certificate. 

Sept 19, 2013

A decisive victory for the American forces. We took in the visitor Center taking in the exhibits and movie to get a better understanding of the events that took place here. After the Visitor Centers we took the girls out on the trail to get an understanding of the size of the battle. We were left in wonder on how close the two armies were in combat; you could almost throw a rock at each other.

Click here for photos of our visit on 28 Feb 2025

NPS Website

Our 89th NPS Unit

Kings Mountain NMP

                                                              

The turn of the tide of success:

Thomas Jefferson called it "The turn of the tide of success." The battle of Kings Mountain, fought October 7th, 1780, was an important American victory during the Revolutionary War. The battle was the first major patriot victory to occur after the British invasion of Charleston, SC in May 1780. The park preserves the site of this important battle. A Battle that set in motion a new direction of the revolutionary war.  The British decided to change their tactics and move the war to the Southern states. After a series of victories, they would meet a group of Mountain men that feared there way of life would be threatened. This small army won a victory that would turn an unwinnable war to a winnable war for the Americans.

Feb 28, 2025

We made a return trip with Daisy Mae joining us for the walk around the trail. No BARK Program but we still had a great day for a trail walk with so many smells for Daisy to take in. 

Sept 20, 2013

We got to take in the unit today with the girls tagging along. After taking in the exhibits and movie at the visitor center and learning why this site was so important to the road to the end of the revolutionary war and our independence. We headed out to take the one-mile trail around the battlefield. The girls really enjoyed the day taking in all the sights and smells.  

Click here for photos of our visit on 28 Feb 2025

NPS Website

Our 91st NPS Unit






The girls resting at Centennial Monument - 2013

Gulf Islands NS

The Lure of the Islands in the Gulf of America:

Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with us today!

12 Jan 2025

We made a quick trip over to the park today so daisy could pick up her BARK ranger tag and also take a short walk out to the pier. 

3 Dec 2022

Today we finally got to a section of the Florida side of this unit. we took in Fort Barrancas, this fort is on the Pensacola Naval Air Station, so Access is limited. We took in the movie that tell the history of this fort and also the sister forts - Fort Pickens and Fort Mcree. These forts were part of the Third System of seacoast defense aimed at fortifying major harbors. We headed out to explore the fort after the movie. This fort is well preserved and offers a few hours of exploring the inner workings of it. We spent three hours here and got all there was to see. We still have to make a trip out to Fort Pickens but will save that for another visit. Fort Mcree no long exists. 

21 Dec 2021

The weather was perfect today, so we decided to head over to Gulf Islands National Seashore and do a trail walk with Daisy Mae. After getting the newest stamps at the Visitor Center we headed out and did the CCC spur Trail. This trail is about around a half mile round trip. It was a great day to take in the sights and sounds of the park. In total it we walked around 2 miles today. 

21 Nov 2014

We took in the Mississippi section of this park. We took in the Visitors Center first to get a better understanding of the unit. The Visitor Center offers a movie, and many displays. We then headed out on a great trail walk with Molly. Found an Alligator sunning itself and a few turtles also taking in a sunny day. For this visit we stayed at the National Park campground for a few days and really enjoyed doing that as it gave us more time to explore this section of the park. We missed the ferry season to get to Ft Massachusetts so we will be back here to take it in. We will also have to plan a trip to the Florida side to take in that section.

Click here for photos of our visit on 3 Dec 2022

NPS Website

Our 109th NPS Unit

                      

  

Molly taking a break on the trail. 2014