Ozark National Scenic Riverways was the first National Park area to protect a river system.Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) would be responsible for reforesting public lands, building roads, trails, bridges, and buildings in state and national parks and other public lands across America during the 1930’s. Historic Big Springs has a CCC built lodge and cabins as well as several additional buildings like this.The Big Spring has a wonderful water color.The CCC also built an impressive flood control dike that is now part of a hiking trail from the campground.The CCC workers laid out a trail along the cliff to the back of the spring that blended in with the natural environment. They also built a stone ledge wall in the spring branch to stop animals from entering.
Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area – TennesseePiney campground was large and full but we snagged this wonderful site.Fort Donelson National Battlefield : “No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted.” Ulysses S. Grant, 1862Cairo, Illinois: the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and 3 states: Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri.A transportation corridor: We saw a barge transporting a rocket going up Tennessee river to Ohio river, then down the Mississippi to port of New Orleans and then onto Kennedy Space Center.Not all transportation has been for the best: as the Trail of Tears history shows.Lewis and Clark spent nearly a week here.What is the Third Principle Meridian? a longitude reference line running true north from the point of confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. There is even Spanish history in this area with archeology discoveries.The New Madrid earthquakes were some of the biggest earthquakes in American history, felt all the way on the East Coast.In 1811, this was the largest settlement on the Mississippi River between St. Louis, Missouri and Natchez, Mississippi.A well compiled museum explained more about the quakes.It was reported that the Mississippi actually ran backwards for several hours.
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park KY, TN, VA the first great gateway to the west!Three states come together at this point – just 2 here on the trail but close enough.Kentucky is the land of Lincoln – his grandparents came through the Cumberland Gap to settle the west.Abe as a babe with his parents.Teaching the young about the Civil War at Mills Springs.One looks out of uniform!A great museum at Mills Springs Battlefield National Monument.We also visited nearby Camp Nelson National Monument which was supply depot during the Civil War and a large training center for African American soldiers.The first Memorial at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park. The 56 steps represent his living years.Our 16th president was born in this area near Hodgenville, Kentucky.The monument protects this log cabin as a representation of the cabin he was born in.Mammoth Cave National Park was a good place to camp and have an early morning walk to appreciate this UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.Lots of water dripping down over the entry to the cave.This spring comes out of the cave system. Protecting the water quality in this area protects the cave environment as well.
