Obed WSR

Experiencing the Obed

The Obed Wild and Scenic River looks much the same today as it did when the first white settlers strolled its banks in the late 1700s. While meagerly populated due to poor farming soil, the river was a hospitable fishing and hunting area for trappers and pioneers. Today, the Obed stretches along the Cumberland Plateau and offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.

Feb 25, 2012

This is a great day trip with wonderful trails for hiking. Took a hike with the girls and saw some great views of the river and scenery. 

NPS webpage

Our 65th NPS Unit

 

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.

NPS webpage

Our 59th NPS Unit

                                                       

 

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. 

NPS webpage

Our 60th NPS Unit

                                                                    

                            

                      

                            

                          

 

Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller NHP

Green Pastures and Green Mountains

Walk through one of Vermont's most beautiful landscapes, under the shade of sugar maples and 400-year-old hemlocks, across covered bridges and alongside rambling stone walls. This is a landscape of loss, recovery, and conservation. This is a story of stewardship, of people taking care of places - sharing an enduring connection to land and a sense of hope for the future.

Sept 15, 2011
Different for an NHP. We are still trying to wrap our finger around the reason this one is in the National Park system. We did not take the tour of the house so guess we will stop by again and spend some time here. we did walk the grounds and took in the small museum. 

NPS webpage

Our 64th NPS Unit

Saint-Gaudens NHS

Step into the world of one of America’s greatest artists

Discover the home, studios and gardens of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of America’s greatest sculptors. See over 100 of his artworks in the galleries and on the grounds, from heroic public monuments to expressive portrait reliefs, and the gold coins which changed the look of American coinage. Enjoy summer concerts, explore nature trails, or indulge your hidden talents during a sculpture class.

Sept 13, 2011
We Thought this would be a short visit, but we were so wrong. There is so much to see here and taking your time is the best way to take it all in. Saint-Gaudens was a great sculpture, and his work can be found across this country.

NPS webpage

Our 63rd NPS Unit

                                                          

Springfield Armory NHS

                          

Forging Arms for the Nation

For nearly two centuries, the US Armed Forces and American industry looked to Springfield Armory for innovative engineering and superior firearms. Springfield Armory National Historic Site commemorates the critical role of the nation’s first armory by preserving and interpreting the world's largest historic US military small arms collection, along with historic archives, buildings, and landscapes.

Sept 12, 2011
This was a great site and a must for anyone into the history of Firearms. This Armory played a vital role in every conflict this country has been involved in. There are firearms across the times from the 1700's to modern times. Plan on a long visit to take all in all this site has to offer.

NPS webpage

Our 62nd NPS Unit

Morristown NHP

Where America Survived

Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental army’s winter encampment of December 1779 to June 1780, where they survived through what would be the coldest winter on record. The park also maintains a museum & library collection related to the encampments & George Washington, as well as items relating to pre- and post-Revolutionary America.

Sept 9, 2011
This was a second visit park. A vital point in our fight for Independence. A must see and tour is the house George Washington stayed, then spend some time at Jockey Hollow to learn how the troops fought to survive a very hard winter.

NPS webpage

Our 30th NPS Unit

Rocky Mountain NP

Feel Like You’re On Top of the World!

Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. Enjoy Trail Ridge Road – which crests at over 12,000 feet including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds – along with over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, wildlife, starry nights, and fun times. In a world of superlatives, Rocky is on top!

Aug 8, 2011
So much to see but we had only a day.  We took the drive up to Alpine Visitor's center and a enjoy a refreshing visit. We also took in the Visitors Centers at Fall River, Beaver Meadows, and Moraine Park.  This park will be on our must return list as there is still much to see and do.

NPS webpage

Our 61st NPS Unit and 10th National Park