We have visited the Indiana Dunes several times including when it used be a National Lakeshore and not a National Park. Thus, this visit was meant to just be a quick stop for the America 250 stamp. We discovered there was a Indigenous Cultural Trail at the Visitor Center that is new since our last visit and ended up exploring that, too.
Sign at Visitor Center
Buffalo Statue in front of Visitor Center
Indigenous Cultural Trail
Indigenous Cultural Trail - Miami Lunar Calendar
Indigenous Cultural Trail - Miami Lunar Calendar
Indigenous Cultural Trail - American Elm
Indigenous Cultural Trail
Indigenous Cultural Trail - Potawatomi Lunar Calendar
On our last day in Springfield, Missouri, we visited the nearby Wilson's Creek National Battlefield as a national park unit we have not been to before and, of course, collect another America 250 stamp. We learned about the battle in the Visitor Center and drove the Tour Road.
As we wanted to make sure to make it back to Springfield for Disney/Pixar's Cars at the Gillioz Theatre, we did kind of rush our visit and only stopped at a few of the stops on the Tour Road. At one stop we took a short hike to the Gibson's Mill and House sites. At another stop, we walked up to the Ray house and I did a sketch of it.
Timeline Marker on Sidewalk up to Visitor Center
Lyon Bed in Visitor Center
Major General Sterling Prices' Revolver
Gibson's Mill Site
Gibson's House Site
My Sketch of Ray House
America 250 Stamp
Ray House
Cannon
Backoff's Battery
See full list of Ranger Dan's National Parks visited here.
As we have visited Lincoln Home NHS before, we just made a quick stop for their America 250 and Route 66 stamps. Of course, I had to get some Ranger Dan photos, too, because this is where I got the original Ranger Dan almost exactly ten years ago.
Route 66 Sign in Visitor Center
Whether this one is the original or not, we have no idea. The original Ranger Dan lost his hat in the Mammoth Cave parking lot the day after I got him. When we got home, I bought a second one online and we glued his hat on. I also ordered a Ranger Susan, whose hat I took and glued on to the original Ranger Dan.
One of the Ranger Dans stays in my backpack and the other stays in the truck. Which is the actual original we forgot. However, we do know that the one in my backpack has its original head, while the one in the truck is the one I dropped at the FDR Memorial earlier this year and broke the hat. Because we had glued the hat on, in order to replace the hat we had to also replace the head. Thus, the truck one has a new head and hat.
While doing Route 66 things in the Springfield, Missouri area, we took a detour to visit the George Washington Carver National Monument and collect the America 250 stamp. We enjoyed walking the Carver Trail and learning about his early life here. We then explored the exhibits in the visitor center, which were more focused on his later life.
Carver Trail
Carver Birthplace
Carver Spring
Boy Carver Statue
Williams Pond
1881 Moses Carver House
My Sketch of Moses Carver House
America 250 Stamp
Moses Carver Grave
George Washington Carver
Tree Ring History
Carver's Bedroom
See full list of Ranger Dan's National Parks Visited here.
Stones River National Battlefield has been on my to do list for many Nashville trips, but we never got around to going. This year as I try to collect as many 250 stamps as I can, we managed to make time for a visit.
We got to the park when the parking lot area opened at 7:30am. We spent the time until the Visitor Center opened walking the little over 2 mile trail that roughly follows the road tour route.
Blue Grosbeak
The trail was a good way to learn about the battle and also good for birdwatching (saw some new lifers - Great Crested Flycatcher, Common Yellowthroat, and Blue Grosbeak).
Dad enjoyed the various flowers.
I did a sketch at Slaughter's Run.
Once the Visitor Center opened, I got my National Park passport stamps and I went through the museum while Dad watched the 10 minute video about the battlefield.
Hazen Brigade Monument
Before continuing on to Missouri, we visited the cemetery, Hazen Brigade Monument (oldest original Civil War monument), and Fortress Rosencrans.
Cedars Trail
Cedars Trail
Michigan Marker
Slaughter's Run
Cotton Field Trail
Medal of Honor
Civil War Drum Replica
Union Uniform
Confederate Uniform
Cemetery
Cemetery
Redoubt Brannan - Fortress Rosencrans
Redoubt Brannan - Fortress Rosencrans
See full list of Ranger Dan's National Parks Visited here.
