(Click to enlarge pictures)
Here’s another park that gives a lot of value for the time
spent. There’s a lot of this sort of thing around the
The visitor center at NBF is
actually two centers in one: it is a nature center, yes, but it also serves as
the
SNAKE!
Rather a nice one, actually. Talk about your “hands-on” exhibits!
Another bench mark to add to the
collection. This one I think marks the highest point in western
A few views of the spire erected in memory
of Forrest. His accomplishments on the battlefield are legion, not the least of
which was capturing Federal gunboats with his cavalry during the siege at
Johnsonville, in which he and his horsemen captured several boats. That sort of thing was unheard of
at the time, and was an accomplishment an old Marine can acknowledge with
admiration. Forrest was a major thorn in the side of the
The trail takes off, conveniently enough,
from behind the visitor center. This does mean, however, that unless you’re
going to camp on the trail, you need to be out by closing…not a concern for us
this day, though this would be Peej’s longest hike to
date.
The first part of the trails (they all run
concurrently for a while) runs along the ridges leading away from Pilot Knob
and up the river. Some of the views from up here are nice, and the going is
generally easy, but eventually you must descend toward the lake. Doesn’t P. J.
look small in this picture!
Left: Peej enjoying some typical
bottomland stuff. It is in places rather sadly littered, as happens around
impounded water, but we pick up what we can. You should too! Center: that fine
walking stick (which he still uses) was a birthday gift from his Granny Patti.
Right: winter is a great time to visit NBF, just mind you wear your tuque!
No place for a pool party…this was a kind
of neat “sinkhole” he spotted along the trail. This (and a few other pictures
here) are from a separate trip; we did a couple within a month of each other, I
think. They’re remarkably “sporting”, by the way, with plenty of ups and downs
to keep you busy. You may imagine you’re on the Plateau!
Him, me,
us. Yes, we did the 5-miler this
time, having already done the 3. We plan on going back to do the 10. There’s a
20 for the really ambitious folks
(not me!)
There is a very nice camping shelter at
not quite the 3 mile mark. There’s a plaque inside commemorating a departed
Scout leader who must’ve been very special. This is a good place to rest, enjoy
a snack, catch a few winks…or call and say hi to Mom …
Left: an interestingly-colored rock we
found along the trail, some kind of slate, I’d reckon, stained with iron.
Right: the neat trail markers found in places along the way.
Being a farmer at heart, P. J. was
interested in these antique implements found near the end of the trail.
Done! How far? Five miles, Peej indicates proudly.
Not at all bad for an eight-year-old “greenhorn”!
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