Tag Archives: state park

Hiking, Parks

Shades State Park ~Waveland, IN

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Shades State Park is right next to Turkey Run State Park.

And after finding this list of 10 best hikes for the state I wanted to make sure we checked it out!

It was a really pretty place to hike and we only saw a few people while there.

It was one of our hikes that I would consider more of a fail though.

The gnats were crazy!!!!

And the hike that was recommended was closed.

There were a lot of steps.

I thought if we walked along Sugar Creek a bit in the open the gnats would not be as bad.

I was wrong.

I was ready to through a blanket over my face and call it good.

My boys liked the trail we took back up though.

You pretty much are hiking up a stream.

Which made for a difficult but beautiful hike.

Little bit did great!

I was trying to smile…

Ha!

But if I opened my mouth at all the gnats would get it in.

I did find the Devil’s Punchbowl to be really pretty!

You can actually park really close to it but we did not know that so we stumbled upon it after already doing a lot of steps.

I took the three with me that wanted to check it out and Nick stayed with the other two.

It was nice and cool down there which was nice.

Now to go back up all those steps 😉

I would like to go back to this park when the gnats are not as bad.

I think it would be amazing in the fall.

Has anyone been to this park?

When is the best time to go in your opinion?

 

 

Hiking, History, Parks

Homesteads and Flops ~Dallas, Tx

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First off after dropping Nick off at his conference (and navigating downtown Dallas), was a trip to the Creation Museum in Glen Rose, Tx.

We went to Glen Rose in January and wanted to go to the museum then but it was not open on the days we were there.

It is a small museum and some of my kids were restless and not doing well so we did not stay long.

I liked the ark replica they had. I was a bit disappointed in the museum overall though.

We stopped by Dinosaur Valley State Park since we were right there but it was crazy due to spring break so we did not stay there long either.

I was really starting to think this trip was a total bust.

We got lunch and I started the drive back to Dallas, planning to kill some time at the Cedar Hill State Park.

I decided on this park because we have a state park pass so it was free.

After paying for the museum that we did not even stay long at, I did not want to spend any more money.

I had no clue there was a homestead at this park!

It was quiet, peaceful, and crowd-free.

This beautiful place basically redeemed the day.

I love history, woods, and quiet.

So this place was a like a balm to my soul.

I felt like I could breathe again and there was plenty of space for the kids to run around.

The old buildings were beautiful.

See? So relaxed and happy.

I need open spaces like I need chocolate 😉

Anyone else ever feel like that?

This place was called the Penn Farm Agricultural History Center and it was a great stop if you like outdoors and history!

Camping, Hiking, Parks

Lake Murray State Park ~Ardmore, OK

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We got to Lake Murray on a Tuesday and it was almost empty at Buzzard Roost Campground where we stayed.

There are several campgrounds all around the lake but this one was recommended online and had a view of Tucker Tower.


We got a spot on the end with plenty of room for the kids to play.

Isn’t this an amazing backyard?!

Tucker Tower!

The Nature Center by Tucker Tower was closed on the day we got there but they had a small one at the visitor center that the kids checked out.

We took a hike that started at Pecan Grove.

I meant to go on the nature trail that started there but went on a different trail by mistake.


But the trail was pretty and had some fun bridges.

Goofs.

Here is a look at the campsites.

They have water and electric and have nice pads and tables but not much privacy.

It was really nice while we were there but I am not sure I would have liked it if it was full.

Just keep that in mind if you go there.

I could not resist Tucker Tower at sunset.

The twins are usually a handful so I would not have usually taken sunset pics while they were with me but I could not miss this sight.

And maybe it was the sunset or the water(or the long hike we had just done) but they were pretty calm.

This boys birthday was the next day!

10yrs old!

Love this kid.

We were heading home that day but wanted to stop at the Nature Center and Tucker Tower first!

I am so glad we did because they were both beautiful and interesting!

Tucker Tower is a short walk from the Nature Center.

I told him he had to wait for us.

Mostly because I did not want to be left downstairs with five kids…

 

It feels like a castle!

 

There are two lookout spots on the tower.

One about midway and the other at the very top.

Beautiful views.

Little Bit tried to give it a kiss she liked it so much…

I really enjoyed our stay at this park!

It ended up being a perfect halfway point between our house and Dinosaur Valley State Park!

If you go, make sure you check out Tucker Tower and the Nature Center!

Here is the video I made of our trip.