Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHP

The First Lincoln Memorial

For over a century people from around the world have come to rural Central Kentucky to honor the humble beginnings of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.  His early life on Kentucky's frontier shaped his character and prepared him to lead the nation through Civil War.  The country's first memorial to Lincoln, built with donations from young and old, enshrines the symbolic birthplace cabin. 

March 29 2012
A great starting point to learn about one of our greatest presidents.

NPS webpage

Our 69th NPS Unit

Mammoth Cave NP

A Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar Place

Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system and a part of the Green River valley and hilly country of south central Kentucky. This is the world's longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles (643 km) explored. Early guide Stephen Bishop called the cave a "grand, gloomy and peculiar place," but its vast chambers and complex labyrinths have earned its name - Mammoth.

March 27 - 28 2012

We got to spend two days here taking in several of the tours that the park offered. If you are expecting lots of slag-mites and such this cave may disappoint as it is a dry cave. There is a small wet section that you can tour and that more than made up for the dry portions of the cave. There are a few remaining tour's that we want to take so this will go on our return list.

NPS webpage

Our 68th NPS Unit and 11th National Park

Stones River NB

A Hard-Earned Victory

The Battle of Stones River began on the last day of 1862 and was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Civil War. The battle produced important military and political gains for the Union, and it changed forever the people who lived and fought here.

March 26, 2012

We stopped here on our way to Michigan. Great museum and park. This Battle changed the course of the Civil War. It opened up the road South for the Union forces. 

NPS webpage

Our 66th NPS Unit

 

    

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