Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Little River Canyon NPES

A Special Place in the Southern Appalachians

Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. Forested uplands, waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, pools, boulders, and sandstone cliffs offer settings for a variety of recreational activities. Natural resources and cultural heritage come together to tell the story of the Preserve, a special place in the Southern Appalachians.

29 Oct 2013
We had a great Fall Day to enjoy the Canyon. The colors of Fall were in full force and the temps was perfect for a hike with the dogs. We plan on a return trip during the late Spring to see the river in full flow, fall flow is low in Oct.

NPS Website

Our 92nd National Park Unit

Little River Falls

Mushroom Rock

The Canyon

Grace's High Falls ( dry this time of the year )

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Carl Sandburg NHS

"Poet of the People"

Carl Sandburg provided a popular voice for the American people of the twentieth century and still speaks to us through his words, activism, music and the beauty and serenity of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site.

19 Sept 2013
Our first stop of the day. Not knowing much about Carl Sandburg, we got to know a humble man that grew up in hard times and became a great poet that became the voice of the common man. Mrs. Sandburg was just as famous raising prize-winning goats, and those descendants are still on the farm. When Mrs. Sandburg left the house, she left with just a few of her minor processions so the house looks like the day she left.

NPS Website

Our 90th NPS Unit

The Home

Tiger the barn cat

Descendants of Mrs. Sandberg's goats

Only 19 goats now - there were over 200

One of many bookcases they were everywhere.

The family meet here 3 hours a day

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Richmond NBP

On to Richmond!”

The Focal Point of the Civil War The center of Confederate manufacturing fueled a modern war, one of the South’s largest hospitals gave care to the sick and wounded, and armies battled on open fields and in miles of defensive earthworks. From 1861 to 1865, Richmond’s fate would determine America’s future.

24 Aug 2013

Today we headed up to the Northern and city sites of Richmond NBP first stopping at the Cold Harbor VC, this area was the area of two major battles. The Gains Mill area was the site of the battle during the Seven Days Battles of 62 and Cold Harbor was the site of a battle during the Overland Campaign of 64. The VC has a great show on the battles of the area. After driving the loop around Cold Harbor, we made a stop at Maggie L Walker NHS. we have done a page on the site. After a lunch we headed over to Tredegar Iron Works. Two great movies can be seen at the VC. This is a large area with much to see. We elected to just see the NP portion and put the other museums on a return list as these were fee required. On to the last VC of Richmond NBP - Chimborazo Hospital. A small VC telling the story of field medicine and hospital care of the wounded during the war. What was amazing is that more died from non-battlefield injuries. Dysentery was so common that 162% got it during the war. This was a great park to take in and visit. If going plan on 2 days as this park is spread out and there is much to see.

7 Aug 2013

This park has many units and today we spent exploring the southern units of the park with a visit to Glendale/Malvern hill. Both of these sites were battle sites of the 1862 Seven Days Battles. We then went over to Fort Brady built by the Union to prevent Confederate gun boats from moving down river and threatening Grant's supply system coming up the James River. After that it was a short drive to the Forts of Hoke, Harrison, Johnson and Gilmer. These Forts were used by the Confederate forces to defend Richmond. Fort Harrison was taken by the union during the Overland Campaign of 1864. Much more remains to be seen at the park, and we will take them in at a later time.

NPS Website

Our 36th NPS Unit