Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park – Birthplace Unit at Sinking Spring Farm

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park - Log cabin inside the Memorial Building

My last stop was a bust, but when life gives you lemons you adjust and make the best of it. Or lemonade, I don’t know. In this case it afforded me the reason to detour to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park in Hodgenville, Kentucky. The park is split into two separate units, right … Read more

Natchez Trace Parkway – Freedom Hills Overlook

Natchez Trace Parkway - Freedom Hills Overlook

Not much time left before sunset, and it looks like some heavy rain is on the way for the evening (also look at those low temperatures, below freezing even down south!). Time for one last stop before finding a campsite. My first ever stop in Alabama is at the Freedom Hills Overlook near the town … Read more

Tishomingo State Park – Outcroppings Trail

Tishomingo State Park - Waterfall on spur from Outcroppings Trail

I was a bit bored with only driving and decided to stretch my legs. Luckily there was promise of a hike with a waterfall while remaining on my Natchez Trace Parkway route. So I turned off into Tishomingo State Park in Tishomingo, Mississippi and laced up my shoes. I chose to do part of the … Read more

Taum Sauk Mountain

Taum Sauk Mountain - Accessible trail to the highpoint

My morning route would continue to push north, closer towards home. I was enjoying the windy rural Missouri roads so I kept driving them at first for no particular reason at all. A short time later I checked the map and realized I was near the state’s highest point at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. … Read more

Ozark National Scenic Riverways – Big Spring

Ozark National Scenic Riverway - Big Spring - Water flowing out to the Current River

I came into this spot blind last night just looking for a place to sleep. Randomly winding up at Big Spring in Missouri just searching for a campsite? Pretty fortunate. I broke camp and drove just a short distance outside the campground to find Big Spring but you could walk/hike the Slough Trail if you … Read more

George Washington Carver National Monument

George Washington Carver National Monument – Entrance Sign

Final full day of adventure and starting to make my way north towards home. I have crossed over from Arkansas to Oklahoma and now into Missouri, and the next stop at George Washington Carver National Monument has been on my list for quite some time as I find his life and accomplishments both impressive and … Read more

Natural Falls State Park – Dripping Springs Waterfall

Natural Falls State Park - Waterfall view from boardwalk

Cooler temperatures this morning allowed for near perfect conditions to hike to the waterfall on the Dripping Springs Trail. If you are a camper, access is a very short walk just from the campground; day visitors also have easy access just left of the main entrance at the parking lot. The start of the trail … Read more

Mount Magazine – Signal Hill

Mount Magazine Signal Hill highpoint - Sign at summit

Weather today is again surprisingly hot for October reaching highs above 90°F. Decided to combat that by finding higher elevation at Mount Magazine State Park in Arkansas. There are several access points to the summit; I started from the Cameron Bluff Campground trail head. The trail is very well marked and maintained, and includes an … Read more

Petroglyph National Monument – Boca Negra Canyon

Petroglyph National Monument - Boca Negra Canyon - Mesa Point Trail

Boca Negra Canyon is another site within Petroglyph National Monument and is easy to find just a few minutes drive north from the visitor center along Unser Blvd. The location is more developed as compared to Rinconada Canyon with a small restroom and some picnic sites. On a weekday early afternoon there is enough parking … Read more

Petroglyph National Monument – Rinconada Canyon Trail

Petroglyph National Monument - Rinconada Canyon Trail - Petroglyphs

Second attempt at the Rinconada Canyon Trail area of Petroglyph National Monument. First try was on the weekend, and the signs posted from the park service warning about thefts & break-ins plus the local crowd told me to move along; today on a Tuesday at noon I nearly had it to myself. Be sure to … Read more