Category Archives: Parks

Pinnacle Mountain State Park~ Little Rock, AR

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We got to Pinnacle Mountain State Park right before the visitor center closed.

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Me, “They have alligators in Arkansas?”

What?

No clue.

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We went on the scenic overlook trail right next to the visitors center.

Really short walk.

All the walks on our trip were easy and short.

I was told I had to take it easy by my doctor due to a back injury so every walk was around 1 mile or less.

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Lizard!

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We also went on the Arkansas Trail loop.

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It is the Arboretum as well so lots of signs with information about the trees throughout the walk.

My second oldest read every single sign.

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These little machines would tell you information about the area if you cranked them.

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There was a constant debate of who’s turn it was…

Thank you park people for the fun crank machines that helped my kids work on their sharing skills.

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Speckled Kingsnake?

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That is him slithering away in terror…

Our crew scared him.

ha

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We did not stay very long at this park and I really want to go back when we can do the pinnacle hike!

It was too steep for this trip.

I was also constantly battling to get checked into the hotel before the kids bedtime.

Not sure I ever accomplished that goal…

Parkin Archeological State Park~Parkin, AR

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I was not sure if this place would be a hit or not but then they showed us the weapons…

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They showed an educational video and let you play with the weapons at the end.

Smart move.

Bribery is always wise.

Ha

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This was the spot of a huge American Indian Village that they think was visited by Hernando de Soto in 1541.

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Brave move giving all of my kids weapons.

I stayed back to “document” better.

Or to not get maimed…

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My kids with blow guns?

Sure.

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Wonder Woman in training.

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I love walking around historic sites and trying to picture what it used to look like.

The mound is where the chiefs house stood.

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There is an old school house there from when a mining town was here.

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Such a fun and interesting stop.

Parkin Archaeological State Park

Lincoln Boyhood Home National Memorial ~Lincoln City, IN

This place managed to get my twins more interested in learning about Abraham Lincoln!

I would say it was a win just for that but it was really interesting also.

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When you marry a woodworker, you get a lot of pictures of furniture…

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See?

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Another picture of a possible project.

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Where Lincoln’s boyhood cabin stood.

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The girls will ask questions all day…

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Beautiful homestead they have set up.

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This man was so nice and helpful!

He answered all of my kiddos questions and believe me there were A LOT!

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Checking out where they would sleep.

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The meat house had a piece of pig hanging in it!

The girls did not want to be in there…

ha

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They have actual animals and try to make it look like a working homestead!

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This was such a fun stop!!!!

I am glad we changed our drive a bit to include this place.

Check out more about it at their site, here.

Next stop

Shawnee National Forest