Timucuan Historic Preserve, Fort Caroline Memorial, & Ribault Monument

We took a quick weekend trip to Jacksonville and stopped by this park. It’s been years since I lived in North Florida and I had since forgotten how much Spanish moss they have down there!

The Timucuan Preserve encompasses a huge area and there are several different “parts” to this preserve. We visited the park near the Fort Caroline National Memorial; though, sand dunes, plantations, and beautiful natural areas of the park exist as well. We’d love to check them all out one day.

We stopped at the Visitors Center … Continue reading

National Parks Travelers Club

As we have been getting more and more into our new found hobby, I stumbled upon the National Parks Travelers Club. The Club is a non-profit club whose mission is promoting park visitation and providing fellowship and recognition for everyone interested in visiting the parks.

Seeing as we are hooked, we decided to join. We have only been members for a few days and are very impressed with the quality and magnitude of information the small membership fee ($10.00) brings. Being a Google Earth Pro trainer, I was … Continue reading

Gulf Islands

We stopped in at this National Park on a trip to visit some of my husband’s family in southern Louisiana.  His sister and mom were with us and we had a destination to reach by dinner, so we did not spend quite as much time as we might have otherwise.  Boat trips can be arranged from the Davis Bayou Area, where the Visitor Center is located, to the barrier islands.  Visitors are able to camp, swim, and fish on most of the islands.  Those interested in camping must request a … Continue reading

Andersonville

After an exciting day in Plains, GA that lasted longer than expected, we did not have as much time in Andersonville as we had originally hoped.  Without a doubt, however, our experience at the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site was well worth the delay!

In talking about the National Park System with friends in Georgia, many mentioned visiting Andersonville in the past.  Not only does this park commemorate the Union Soldiers once held captive on these grounds in Camp Sumter, but it also serves as a memorial to all American … Continue reading

Jimmy Carter

The night after we took my mom and grandma to Kennesaw Mountain and the MLK, Jr. Historic Site, they were looking at our Passport Book to see where else we could take them!  I’m not sure if they were really as into the Passport program as we were, or if they were just being supportive, but not one of us will ever regret the decision we made that evening.  The plan was to wake up early and drive to Plains, Georgia and Andersonville, Georgia.

Plains, Georgia held quite a … Continue reading

Martin Luther King, Jr.

This was not my first visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr.  Historical Site, but it was the first for Damon.  The site consists of several buildings including what I would call, two different museums.  The Visitor Center (where the stamp is located) seems to focus on segregation and Civil Rights, whereas the other “museum” (The King Center) focuses more specifically on the life of MLK, Jr and his family.  It is at the King Center that visitors can sign up for ranger-led tours of MLK, Jr.’s birth and boyhood … Continue reading

Kennesaw Mountain

Given that we have lived in Atlanta for awhile and have been blessed with a number of family visits, at times we struggle to find new local sites to share.  As such, Damon and I had decided to wait for some family to visit before hitting this nearby park.  My mom and 80+ year old grandmother were the lucky visitors.  They had heard about our visits and seen our Explorer Edition book and were excited to join in with us on their trip in from Michigan.

As are many of … Continue reading

Plan your Summer Adventures

The National Park Service has created a useful and very informative site to help you plan out your “Summer National Park Adventure.”  My wife and I have several National park visits planned for the upcoming months. We hope to visit sites in the National Capital Region as well as a few other regions.  Check out the new site and start planning your next trip at http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/plan_your_visit/index.htm.  Don’t forget your passport book!… Continue reading