Ft Raleigh NHS

England's First Home in the New World

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site protects and preserves known portions of England's first New World settlements from 1584 to 1590.
This site also preserves the cultural heritage of the Native Americans, European Americans and African Americans who have lived on Roanoke Island.

May 26, 2012

Spent some time here during our day on the Outer banks. This is a little-known park but worth the time to stop and learn about one of the first colonies in the United States. 

NPS webpage

Our 71st NPS Unit

Cape Hatteras NS

A place to engage your senses

The sound of ocean waves, the starry night sky, or the calm of the salt marshes, you can experience it all. Shaped by the forces of water, wind, and storms these islands are ever changing. The plants, wildlife, and people who live here adapt continually. Whether you are enjoying the beach, kayaking the sound, or climbing the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse there is something for everyone to explore!

May 26, 2012

Spent a great day seeing some of our local parks. The dogs got to enjoy a nice walk on the beach and even ventured out to the surf. 

NPS webpage

Our 70th NPS Unit

 

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