Ouabache State Park

We visited Ouabache State Park in northeastern Indiana.

Ouabache is the Indian word for the Wabash River, which forms the parks southern boundery.

The park is smaller than most state parks but packs a lot into a small package.

The park is known for its small herd of bison.

They are in a 20 acre enclosure which was quite different from seeing them roaming in Custer, SD,

but its still a treat to see them.

 There is small Kunkel Lake, where kayaks, paddleboats & rowboats can be rented.

 There are several easy trails, so don't forget your hiking boots.

And bring your bikes.

Its an excellent park for biking.

There is a three mile paved bike path that stretches from one side of the park to the other.

And the bike path continues on along the Wabash River Greenway.

Leading into the nearby town of Blufton, about 10 miles round trip.

And keep an eye out for the unusual black squirrels scampering around.

Limberlost Cabin

We visited the Limberlost Cabin, home of famous Indiana author

Gene Stratton - Porter.

The house was her home from 1895 until 1913.

She wrote many of her novels here, including A Girl of the Limberlost, 

a novel about the nearby Limberlost Swamp.

Five dollars buys you a tour of the inside of the home

which displays many of Stratton-Porter's possessions & remains almost as she left it.

We had a terrific guide named Curt, who was very knowledgeable and made the author come alive for us.

 We experienced her life & home, looking out the same conservatory window as she did.

And fittingly, we saw a baby rabbit in the famed naturalist's garden.

 If you are traveling near Geneva, Indiana, the site is worth a stop.

Paddlewheeler on the Columbia River

We have just returned from a trip up the Columbia River gorge.

We traveled on a paddle wheel boat.

The journey included 8 locks.

Ziplining

Kayaking

And jet boating on the Snake River

We saw kite boarders

 Beautiful scenery 

And lovely sunsets.

 We spotted ospreys on nests from the boat

 Turkeys in an orchard along the Snake River

As well as deer cooling off in the shade.

Bighorn sheep watched us sail by from the cliffs.

And of course we saw lots of seabirds!

Sailing the gorge was a unique way to see the area.

Dakota Highlights

The Dakotas offer a lot interesting things to do in addition to the national parks.

Of course, almost everyone has heard of the iconic Mt. Rushmore National Monument.

But have you heard of the Crazy Horse Memorial?

Its also a carving on a mountain, not far from Mt. Rushmore.

Its dedicated to the native Americans and has been undergoing

 construction for over 50 years.

It is the largest mountain carving progress.

 You can also visit the Mammoth Site, 

an excavation site of 58 ancient Columbian & Wooly Mammoths.

The fossils of the mammoths remain in the ground where they were discovered,

at the site of an ancient sinkhole.

The entire site is enclosed in a huge building, making it a good rainy day attraction.

 You can drive up beautiful Spearfish Canyon and see Bridal Veil Falls.

or get out and hike to Roughlock Falls.

 Take a ride on the 1880's steam train from Custer to Hill City.

Drive to Deadwood to see Buffalo Bill's grave.

 You just might see an old west shoot out re-enacted on Main Street.

 Or catch Calamity Jane walking through town.

 And lastly, be sure to see the Medora Musical in the Burning Hills Amphitheature

in North Dakota, near Roosevelt National Park.

  Its a rousing patriotic musical with a western slant, making you proud to be an American!

 And it even has horses on stage!

As you can see, there's lots to do in the Dakotas!

Wild Horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

We arrived at Roosevelt National Park on a drizzly rainy day.

Turns out that is an optimal day to see wildlife.

Almost immediately we saw this small band of feral horses.

 This smaller filly looked like a yearling and subsequently went over to the gray mare & nursed.

Hidden off by himself was this white stallion.

We saw these two off in the distance

And spotted another band of horses farther along the loop.

The next day, we went back and only saw this pair.
I really enjoyed seeing the wild horses.
The ranger told me there are 146 horses in the park.
Although they are referred to as wild,
technically, they are domestic horses that are feral.

Devil's Tower National Monument

As you approach Devil's Tower, it appears on the horizon miles from your destination.

The tower rises dramatically 1267 feet above the surrounding terrain.

It is a popular climbing destination.
We spotted three groups of climbers on the tower.

 We hiked the Tower Trail around the base of the tower, 

an easy hike that lets you experience the size of the tower.

And ate lunch in the picnic area near the Circle of Sacred Smoke Sculpture.

The sculpture signifies the importance of the tower to the native Indians.

 Some prairie dogs joined us for lunch!