wandering around the United States to see the view
Spring Mill State Park is half nature hiking – half history lesson. It kind of reminds me of Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountain National Park with it’s grist mill, however, Spring Mill State Park includes a whole Pioneer Town along with its grist mill. I have been to Spring Mill before and walked through…
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So I definitely realized just now as I was verifying the spelling that I have been calling Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge the wrong name….I’ve been calling it Muskatuck…whoops….anyways….I have learned that I really dislike humidity. Not only does it turn my hair into a frizzy, bushy, hot mess of a beast, it also makes me…
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On my way to Shawnee National Forest for Memorial Day Weekend, I passed the tourist sign for Harmonie State Park. With it being a last minute trip, I had not realized that I would be passing so close to the state park. I decided I’d take advantage of being so close and stop on my…
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The number of beautiful hiking spots in Southern Illinois still baffles me. Not only is there Shawnee National Forest, but there is also Giant City State Park, Ferne Clyffe State Park, Cache River State Natural Area, Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, the list goes on. Sufficient to say, I have a lot more exploring to…
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This past Saturday I needed to go to Cincinnati, Ohio but wanted to get some hiking in on the way. I settled on Whitewater Memorial State Park as it is located near the Ohio border only 30 minutes out of my way. One of my goals for 2018 is to visit every state park in…
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Anderson Falls is a state nature preserve east of Columbus, Indiana. It was originally part of the Nature Conservancy, but management was handed over to Bartholomew County Parks Department in 1979. It features a pretty waterfall and short hiking trails that are not well marked and overgrown in places. It is possible to walk a…
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The first time I went to Yellowwood State Forest was back when I was still in college and my dad told my mom we’d only be gone for a couple hours and would be back in plenty of time for a family dinner she had planned for that evening…..lies. Four hours after we’d started hiking,…
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Even though the temperature was not expected to rise above 30 degrees, it was windy, and the sun was hiding, Lizzie and I were in need of an adventure and decided to explore Pierce Lake Trail at Rock Cut State Park. Rock Cut State Park is located in northern Illinois about an hour and a…
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Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is unique because it is a patchwork of protected lands broken into sections by harbors, factories, towns, and the state park. The beaches it protects are very popular with sunbathers and families in the summer. The winter brings great views and draws smaller crowds. The patchworkness of the park (yes I…
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Cowles Bog Trail is part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. It is also a National Natural Landmark because of the rich diversity of plants and animals that inhabit it. I first heard about this trail from another Women Who Hike member who said it was a must do. I added it to my bucket…
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