60 acast.com IN the Parks https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks en Allison Martin state parks,indiana,history,outdoors,travel,nature,state park an Indiana state parks podcast an Indiana state parks podcast

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]]> false Allison Martin info+6671f1af94bae93358ff7358@mg-eu.acast.com 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 in-the-parks episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/cover/1718743407249-9e5e1db8514946bddfd8e1179521020c.jpeg https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks IN the Parks <![CDATA[The Knobstone Hiking Trail: Indiana's 160 Mile Trail]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT 45:14 69c80e2f9b6be94a1a42ab0d false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/the-knobstone-hiking-trail-indianas-160-mile-trail 69c80e2f9b6be94a1a42ab0d 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 the-knobstone-hiking-trail-indianas-160-mile-trail full 1 46 The extended Knobstone Hiking Trail is Indiana's 160-mile long trek through the southern part of the state. It includes the original Knobstone Trail, the Pioneer Trail, Hoosier National Forest Trail, and Tecumseh Trail. These four sections wind through the hilliest parts of the state to show off the amazing beauty of Indiana. Ready to hike parts (or all!) of it? Get maps, tips, segment ideas, pictures, history, and more on the Knobstone Hiking Trail Association website.


If you're into trail running, definitely sign up for the Knobstone 50 trail race.


You can read the original Outdoor Indiana article from 1981 about the Knobstone Trail here. It was written by Joe Payne, who worked with Jerry Pagec and was responsible for the physical construction of the original Knobstone trail. 


Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast! Be sure to join the thousands of Hoosiers keeping up with the latest and greatest happenings at GetIndiana.com.


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> The extended Knobstone Hiking Trail is Indiana's 160-mile long trek through the southern part of the state. It includes the original Knobstone Trail, the Pioneer Trail, Hoosier National Forest Trail, and Tecumseh Trail. These four sections wind through the hilliest parts of the state to show off the amazing beauty of Indiana. Ready to hike parts (or all!) of it? Get maps, tips, segment ideas, pictures, history, and more on the Knobstone Hiking Trail Association website.


If you're into trail running, definitely sign up for the Knobstone 50 trail race.


You can read the original Outdoor Indiana article from 1981 about the Knobstone Trail here. It was written by Joe Payne, who worked with Jerry Pagec and was responsible for the physical construction of the original Knobstone trail. 


Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast! Be sure to join the thousands of Hoosiers keeping up with the latest and greatest happenings at GetIndiana.com.


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Redbird Off-Road State Recreation Area: Learning to Be Brave Redbird Off-Road State Recreation Area: Learning to Be Brave Tue, 17 Mar 2026 06:00:00 GMT 25:43 69af5636765824af474a96aa false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/redbird-off-road-state-recreation-area-learning-to-be-brave 69af5636765824af474a96aa 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 redbird-off-road-state-recreation-area-learning-to-be-brave full 1 45 Redbird Off-Road State Recreation Area in Dugger, IN, is another epic spot for driving, riding, and hiking! This park provided me with a chance to be a little braver than I wanted to be, but was I ready to take advantage of it? If you visit Redbird to ride, don’t forget the park fees are a little different. You’ll need to pay a different (but still small) fee if you plan to take a motorized vehicle on the trails. Check the park’s website to learn more.


The dates for this season’s night rides are April 18 for the Spring Night Ride, July 25 for Trails for Tikes Night Ride, and October 24 for Hall-O-Wheelin.


Check out the website and follow on Instagram and Facebook to see pictures from Redbird. Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast!


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Redbird Off-Road State Recreation Area in Dugger, IN, is another epic spot for driving, riding, and hiking! This park provided me with a chance to be a little braver than I wanted to be, but was I ready to take advantage of it? If you visit Redbird to ride, don’t forget the park fees are a little different. You’ll need to pay a different (but still small) fee if you plan to take a motorized vehicle on the trails. Check the park’s website to learn more.


The dates for this season’s night rides are April 18 for the Spring Night Ride, July 25 for Trails for Tikes Night Ride, and October 24 for Hall-O-Wheelin.


Check out the website and follow on Instagram and Facebook to see pictures from Redbird. Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast!


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Turkey Run State Park: The Rugged Beauty of Indiana Turkey Run State Park: The Rugged Beauty of Indiana Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMT 37:36 69a31fcdf8755e109ddd43a4 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/turkey-run-state-park-the-rugged-beauty-of-indiana 69a31fcdf8755e109ddd43a4 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 turkey-run-state-park-the-rugged-beauty-of-indiana full 1 44 Turkey Run State Park may be Indiana's best-loved park! It was cherished by the Lusk family, the white settlers who owned the land in the 1800s. Later, the community fought to keep it as a park instead of letting a lumber company get their hands on it. The creator of our state parks system, Colonel Richard Lieber, also had a very strong connection to the property. There's something about the rugged beauty, adventure, and reminder of how small you are that keeps people coming back!


Learn about the Lusk family and how the park began, discover old and new trails, and hear about the Eagles in Flight weekend that happens every January. Plus, you'll find out how long I've been visiting this park!


If you want to support Turkey Run or learn about the Eagles in Flight weekend, be sure to follow their Friends volunteer group online.


Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast!


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Turkey Run State Park may be Indiana's best-loved park! It was cherished by the Lusk family, the white settlers who owned the land in the 1800s. Later, the community fought to keep it as a park instead of letting a lumber company get their hands on it. The creator of our state parks system, Colonel Richard Lieber, also had a very strong connection to the property. There's something about the rugged beauty, adventure, and reminder of how small you are that keeps people coming back!


Learn about the Lusk family and how the park began, discover old and new trails, and hear about the Eagles in Flight weekend that happens every January. Plus, you'll find out how long I've been visiting this park!


If you want to support Turkey Run or learn about the Eagles in Flight weekend, be sure to follow their Friends volunteer group online.


Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast!


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> <![CDATA[Deam Lake: Doctor's Orders -- Go for a Walk]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT 36:26 6990c849b0cb4fc2fd65f40f false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/deam-lake-doctors-orders-go-for-a-walk 6990c849b0cb4fc2fd65f40f 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 deam-lake-doctors-orders-go-for-a-walk full 1 43 Head to Southern Indiana to visit Deam Lake! You'll enjoy time on the water and discover it's the gateway to more trail systems than you'd expect! Horse riders and hikers can camp at Deam Lake and access Clark State Forest, for more miles of exploring. The Knobstone Trail's southern terminus is at Deam Lake, and the Monon South has a trailhead here too.


You'll also learn that Deam Lake is named for Charles C. Deam, Indiana's first forester. Deam was a man of intense focus and conviction, an early conservationist who spent his life discovering plants in the state and beyond.


The Deam Lake Loop Trail Run is October 3, 2026, and you can sign up for the race here.  


If you want to bring your horse to ride at Deam Lake, Indiana Trail Riders Association is a valuable resource.


Get maps, tips, segment ideas, pictures, history, and more on the Knobstone Hiking Trail Association website.


Follow Deam Lake on Facebook and be sure to take on their new hiking challenge!


Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast! 


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Head to Southern Indiana to visit Deam Lake! You'll enjoy time on the water and discover it's the gateway to more trail systems than you'd expect! Horse riders and hikers can camp at Deam Lake and access Clark State Forest, for more miles of exploring. The Knobstone Trail's southern terminus is at Deam Lake, and the Monon South has a trailhead here too.


You'll also learn that Deam Lake is named for Charles C. Deam, Indiana's first forester. Deam was a man of intense focus and conviction, an early conservationist who spent his life discovering plants in the state and beyond.


The Deam Lake Loop Trail Run is October 3, 2026, and you can sign up for the race here.  


If you want to bring your horse to ride at Deam Lake, Indiana Trail Riders Association is a valuable resource.


Get maps, tips, segment ideas, pictures, history, and more on the Knobstone Hiking Trail Association website.


Follow Deam Lake on Facebook and be sure to take on their new hiking challenge!


Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast! 


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Interlake Off-Road State Recreation Area: An Off-Roading Adventure Interlake Off-Road State Recreation Area: An Off-Roading Adventure Tue, 03 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT 39:54 697ec3d208827ddf8f2c1d92 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/interlake-off-road-state-recreation-area 697ec3d208827ddf8f2c1d92 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 interlake-off-road-state-recreation-area full 1 42 Get ready for an off-roading adventure at Interlake, one of two off-road state recreation areas in Indiana. Interlake OSRA offers hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, off-roading, fishing, kayaking, hunting, and more! It's a stunningly beautiful park whose history is literally visible on the land. Learn how this property went from surface coal mining to an exciting off-road experience!


I didn’t mention it in the episode, but please note that Interlake is in the central time zone because that’s where the front office is. However, as you drive back and forth across the 3,500 acres, you may switch from central to eastern and back. Not very often you can time travel so easily!


If you want to learn more about the history of coal, especially in Indiana, check out The Museum of the Coal Industry in Lynnville, not far from the park.


Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast!


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Get ready for an off-roading adventure at Interlake, one of two off-road state recreation areas in Indiana. Interlake OSRA offers hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, off-roading, fishing, kayaking, hunting, and more! It's a stunningly beautiful park whose history is literally visible on the land. Learn how this property went from surface coal mining to an exciting off-road experience!


I didn’t mention it in the episode, but please note that Interlake is in the central time zone because that’s where the front office is. However, as you drive back and forth across the 3,500 acres, you may switch from central to eastern and back. Not very often you can time travel so easily!


If you want to learn more about the history of coal, especially in Indiana, check out The Museum of the Coal Industry in Lynnville, not far from the park.


Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast!


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Lincoln State Park: How Our Childhood Shapes Us Lincoln State Park: How Our Childhood Shapes Us Tue, 20 Jan 2026 07:00:00 GMT 42:17 696c45784788cf9ec65df7c4 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/lincoln-state-park-how-our-childhood-shapes-us 696c45784788cf9ec65df7c4 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 lincoln-state-park-how-our-childhood-shapes-us full 1 41 Before he was the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln was a kid growing up in southern Indiana. From ages 7 to 21, he was shaped by his experiences in the forests and farmlands of our state. Those formative moments from his childhood developed him into our country's leader. Learn a few stories from Abe's childhood and consider how your own childhood has influenced you.


Learn about the events and projects supported by the Friends of Lincoln State Park volunteers and follow them on Facebook. 


Get your tickets from the Lincoln Amphitheater for Lincoln productions and the summer concert series. The 2026 season launches February 3.


Learn more about the post office in Santa Claus, IN, and its sweet history.


Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast! At buymeacoffee.com/intheparksonline 


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Before he was the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln was a kid growing up in southern Indiana. From ages 7 to 21, he was shaped by his experiences in the forests and farmlands of our state. Those formative moments from his childhood developed him into our country's leader. Learn a few stories from Abe's childhood and consider how your own childhood has influenced you.


Learn about the events and projects supported by the Friends of Lincoln State Park volunteers and follow them on Facebook. 


Get your tickets from the Lincoln Amphitheater for Lincoln productions and the summer concert series. The 2026 season launches February 3.


Learn more about the post office in Santa Claus, IN, and its sweet history.


Buy IN the Parks stickers and support the podcast! At buymeacoffee.com/intheparksonline 


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Harmonie State Park: The Magic of Fireflies Harmonie State Park: The Magic of Fireflies Tue, 06 Jan 2026 07:00:00 GMT 37:48 695b11ec18c941d6d67f83a6 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/harmonie-state-park-the-magic-of-fireflies 695b11ec18c941d6d67f83a6 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 harmonie-state-park-the-magic-of-fireflies full 1 40 Travel to the southwest corner of Indiana to visit Harmonie State Park! We'll learn about their big trees, the park's features, how several groups tried to create harmony on earth here, and the charming town of New Harmony. We also discover how Harmonie is part of the story of Indiana's state insect, Say's Firefly. (Here's a ton more info about fireflies!)


In New Harmony, I highly recommend a visit to the Indiana State Museum New Harmony Historic Site. In town, you definitely want to explore the cathedral labyrinth, visit the roofless church, and go to the Working Men’s Institute (Indiana’s oldest continuously operating library). The institute’s second floor is a museum of oddities including an 8-legged, 2-headed calf and a skeleton of a Civil War soldier’s horse!


To learn more about Lynn Faust and fireflies, check out this article and here’s a link to her book.


If you want to support the Friends of Harmonie, you can be a member for $20 a year for individuals and $35 a year for families. There are some perks for you too, so check out their website to learn more.


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Travel to the southwest corner of Indiana to visit Harmonie State Park! We'll learn about their big trees, the park's features, how several groups tried to create harmony on earth here, and the charming town of New Harmony. We also discover how Harmonie is part of the story of Indiana's state insect, Say's Firefly. (Here's a ton more info about fireflies!)


In New Harmony, I highly recommend a visit to the Indiana State Museum New Harmony Historic Site. In town, you definitely want to explore the cathedral labyrinth, visit the roofless church, and go to the Working Men’s Institute (Indiana’s oldest continuously operating library). The institute’s second floor is a museum of oddities including an 8-legged, 2-headed calf and a skeleton of a Civil War soldier’s horse!


To learn more about Lynn Faust and fireflies, check out this article and here’s a link to her book.


If you want to support the Friends of Harmonie, you can be a member for $20 a year for individuals and $35 a year for families. There are some perks for you too, so check out their website to learn more.


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Side Trail: Holidays IN the Parks 2025 Side Trail: Holidays IN the Parks 2025 Tue, 09 Dec 2025 07:00:00 GMT 22:33 6930e6b928f17a7d07fa2ea5 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/side-trail-holidays-in-the-parks-2025 6930e6b928f17a7d07fa2ea5 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 side-trail-holidays-in-the-parks-2025 full 1 39 It's another special Holidays IN the Parks episode! Your shopping list, wish list, and holiday events are all taken care of! Listen now and you'll be in the know for the best gifts, activities, and family traditions.


Holiday Gifts

1. Purchase a 2026 state parks pass

2. Subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine

HOT TIP: Purchase the state parks Holiday Gift Pack (while supplies last)

3. Buy all the state parks merch and gear you need for next year


State Park Holiday Events

Pokagon – Ride the toboggan all winter


Chain O’ Lakes – Christmas Carol Clue Hunt 


Ouabache – Wonderland of Lights and Santa Saturdays


Prophetstown – Head to The Farm for Breakfast with Santa or Christmas on the Farm


Mounds – Drive through Nights of Lights


Lieber SRA – Drive through Winter Lights display 


Raccoon SRA - Visiting the Lost Canyon First Day Hike


Monroe Lake - Geminids Meteor Shower and First Day Trail Run & Walk 


Spring Mill State Park – Join the Bedford Hiking Club for a volkswalk First Day Hike 


Clifty Falls – Call Clifty Inn for Breakfast With the Grinch and Winter Weekend Getaway

 

O’Bannon Woods Events page


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> It's another special Holidays IN the Parks episode! Your shopping list, wish list, and holiday events are all taken care of! Listen now and you'll be in the know for the best gifts, activities, and family traditions.


Holiday Gifts

1. Purchase a 2026 state parks pass

2. Subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine

HOT TIP: Purchase the state parks Holiday Gift Pack (while supplies last)

3. Buy all the state parks merch and gear you need for next year


State Park Holiday Events

Pokagon – Ride the toboggan all winter


Chain O’ Lakes – Christmas Carol Clue Hunt 


Ouabache – Wonderland of Lights and Santa Saturdays


Prophetstown – Head to The Farm for Breakfast with Santa or Christmas on the Farm


Mounds – Drive through Nights of Lights


Lieber SRA – Drive through Winter Lights display 


Raccoon SRA - Visiting the Lost Canyon First Day Hike


Monroe Lake - Geminids Meteor Shower and First Day Trail Run & Walk 


Spring Mill State Park – Join the Bedford Hiking Club for a volkswalk First Day Hike 


Clifty Falls – Call Clifty Inn for Breakfast With the Grinch and Winter Weekend Getaway

 

O’Bannon Woods Events page


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Indiana Parks Alliance: Giving Back to the Parks Indiana Parks Alliance: Giving Back to the Parks Tue, 25 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT 43:24 691fd01cd35aa096b57dd18c false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/indiana-parks-alliance-giving-back-to-the-parks 691fd01cd35aa096b57dd18c 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 indiana-parks-alliance-giving-back-to-the-parks full 1 38 Get ready for an early Giving Tuesday and amazing examples of generosity and gratitude! You'll hear from Indiana Parks Alliance about how they support all the state parks and nature preserves. They also share practical ways you can support parks. To support Indiana Parks Alliance, visit their website. They're also on Facebook and Instagram.


You'll learn from the Friends of Charlestown State Park how IPA has funded grants for them and about a major grant they received from Indiana American Water! Finally, a really easy way to support parks is to attend their events, like going to Spring Mill's Holiday in the Village Dec 5-6 or the new Christmas tradition December 6 at Versailles State Park. Buy tickets ahead of time for Santa’s Lighted Forest at Versailles State Park and see more event details and updates on Facebook.


To see Carson Hughes’ incredible photography or to support the Carson Hughes Foundation, please visit this website.


Any mistakes are my own.


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]]> Get ready for an early Giving Tuesday and amazing examples of generosity and gratitude! You'll hear from Indiana Parks Alliance about how they support all the state parks and nature preserves. They also share practical ways you can support parks. To support Indiana Parks Alliance, visit their website. They're also on Facebook and Instagram.


You'll learn from the Friends of Charlestown State Park how IPA has funded grants for them and about a major grant they received from Indiana American Water! Finally, a really easy way to support parks is to attend their events, like going to Spring Mill's Holiday in the Village Dec 5-6 or the new Christmas tradition December 6 at Versailles State Park. Buy tickets ahead of time for Santa’s Lighted Forest at Versailles State Park and see more event details and updates on Facebook.


To see Carson Hughes’ incredible photography or to support the Carson Hughes Foundation, please visit this website.


Any mistakes are my own.


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]]> Whitewater Memorial State Park: Honoring Our Veterans Whitewater Memorial State Park: Honoring Our Veterans Tue, 11 Nov 2025 07:00:00 GMT 24:50 69096132eed20bbc019785ab false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/whitewater-memorial-state-park-honoring-our-veterans 69096132eed20bbc019785ab 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 whitewater-memorial-state-park-honoring-our-veterans full 1 37 Whitewater Memorial State Park was created to honor WWII veterans and be a place of solace for them and their families. Decades later, the park still offers peace for veterans, their families, and the entire state of Indiana. You’ll find options for camping, water activities, hiking, bridle trails, and events that specially honor veterans.


Look for information about Shine a Light On Our Veterans next September so you can be part of the special luminary event.


And don’t forget, all veterans have free entry to Indiana’s state parks on Veteran’s Day.


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Whitewater Memorial State Park was created to honor WWII veterans and be a place of solace for them and their families. Decades later, the park still offers peace for veterans, their families, and the entire state of Indiana. You’ll find options for camping, water activities, hiking, bridle trails, and events that specially honor veterans.


Look for information about Shine a Light On Our Veterans next September so you can be part of the special luminary event.


And don’t forget, all veterans have free entry to Indiana’s state parks on Veteran’s Day.


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Brown County State Park: Falling for Leaf Peeping Brown County State Park: Falling for Leaf Peeping Tue, 28 Oct 2025 06:00:00 GMT 1:01:35 68fd6c9e18bcdad2abc5402a false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/brown-county-state-park-falling-for-leaf-peeping 68fd6c9e18bcdad2abc5402a 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 brown-county-state-park-falling-for-leaf-peeping full 1 36 Brown County State Park is the first episode to come in at over an hour, although just barely! Once you listen, you'll see why these stories had to be told together. You'll hear about the trees and peak leaf peeping time, and you'll also learn about the volunteers who have spent thousands of hours helping the park staff clean up from multiple storms and a tornado this spring. There are so many ways to support and appreciate this park. Here are just a few!


Want to see different oak leaves (including the white oak) and learn about them? Check this out!


Take on the 7 Vista Challenge by driving to the most popular scenic spots in the park.


To join the Friends of Brown County or support their work, visit their website. You can also donate to the Weed Patch Fire Tower restoration project.


Check out the Brown County Mountain Biking website. Be sure to mark your calendar for Epic next year and their mountain biking trail maintenance days. You can become a member or donate to help keep the trails clear.


The Indiana Trail Riders Association is who we have to thank for clearing and maintaining the horse trails. You can join their private Facebook page or check out their website to learn about group rides, how to donate to their ongoing work, or how to become a member. They gave a special shout out to Story Inn.


Oh and check out the Hilly Half Marathon, 5k, and 10k that happens in November.


Any mistakes are my own.

 


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]]> Brown County State Park is the first episode to come in at over an hour, although just barely! Once you listen, you'll see why these stories had to be told together. You'll hear about the trees and peak leaf peeping time, and you'll also learn about the volunteers who have spent thousands of hours helping the park staff clean up from multiple storms and a tornado this spring. There are so many ways to support and appreciate this park. Here are just a few!


Want to see different oak leaves (including the white oak) and learn about them? Check this out!


Take on the 7 Vista Challenge by driving to the most popular scenic spots in the park.


To join the Friends of Brown County or support their work, visit their website. You can also donate to the Weed Patch Fire Tower restoration project.


Check out the Brown County Mountain Biking website. Be sure to mark your calendar for Epic next year and their mountain biking trail maintenance days. You can become a member or donate to help keep the trails clear.


The Indiana Trail Riders Association is who we have to thank for clearing and maintaining the horse trails. You can join their private Facebook page or check out their website to learn about group rides, how to donate to their ongoing work, or how to become a member. They gave a special shout out to Story Inn.


Oh and check out the Hilly Half Marathon, 5k, and 10k that happens in November.


Any mistakes are my own.

 


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[O'Bannon Woods State Park: Face Your Fears]]> Tue, 14 Oct 2025 06:00:00 GMT 48:00 68eaf6a31a16230b5f852678 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/obannon-woods-state-park-face-your-fears 68eaf6a31a16230b5f852678 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 obannon-woods-state-park-face-your-fears full 1 35 Get ready to face your greatest fears at O'Bannon Woods State Park! Whether you're scared of heights, snakes, the dark, small spaces, or water, this park will help you find some inner courage to overcome those fears. You can climb the fire tower, see Indiana's venomous snakes from a safe distance in the nature center, take a hike down in Wyandotte Caves, or splash around at the aquatic center. You'll also hear about their tough mountain biking and hiking trails, camping options, and the historic haypress, pioneer village, oxen, and donkeys.


You can learn more about Indiana’s snakes on the DNR website.


If you're curious, I found a helpful explanation of steers and oxen here.


Want to attend OWAR and mountain bike with an awesome group? Sign up here! Follow the O’Bannon Woods Mountain Biking group on Facebook and learn more about the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association on their site.


Any mistakes are my own. 

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]]> Get ready to face your greatest fears at O'Bannon Woods State Park! Whether you're scared of heights, snakes, the dark, small spaces, or water, this park will help you find some inner courage to overcome those fears. You can climb the fire tower, see Indiana's venomous snakes from a safe distance in the nature center, take a hike down in Wyandotte Caves, or splash around at the aquatic center. You'll also hear about their tough mountain biking and hiking trails, camping options, and the historic haypress, pioneer village, oxen, and donkeys.


You can learn more about Indiana’s snakes on the DNR website.


If you're curious, I found a helpful explanation of steers and oxen here.


Want to attend OWAR and mountain bike with an awesome group? Sign up here! Follow the O’Bannon Woods Mountain Biking group on Facebook and learn more about the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association on their site.


Any mistakes are my own. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Patoka Lake: Come for the Water, Stay for the Trails Patoka Lake: Come for the Water, Stay for the Trails Tue, 30 Sep 2025 06:00:00 GMT 31:48 68d973c9136216b12f8a1d51 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/patoka-lake-come-for-the-water-stay-for-the-trails 68d973c9136216b12f8a1d51 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 patoka-lake-come-for-the-water-stay-for-the-trails full 1 34 Patoka Lake is a massive property with over 26,000 acres! In this episode, we'll explore all the great water activities you'll find there like boating and their commitment to excellent fishing. We'll also spend time out of the water in the campgrounds and on the amazing trails. I biked on the hilly, paved multi-use trail and hiked several beautiful spots in the woods. You'll be transported through time when you hike The Narrows, a historic trail people have been using for over 200 years! We'll also meet the park's turtles and red tailed hawk.


Patoka Lake's water recreation will absolutely draw you in, but stay for the adventures you'll find on the trails too!


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Patoka Lake is a massive property with over 26,000 acres! In this episode, we'll explore all the great water activities you'll find there like boating and their commitment to excellent fishing. We'll also spend time out of the water in the campgrounds and on the amazing trails. I biked on the hilly, paved multi-use trail and hiked several beautiful spots in the woods. You'll be transported through time when you hike The Narrows, a historic trail people have been using for over 200 years! We'll also meet the park's turtles and red tailed hawk.


Patoka Lake's water recreation will absolutely draw you in, but stay for the adventures you'll find on the trails too!


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Hardy Lake: Where the Raptor Center Soars Hardy Lake: Where the Raptor Center Soars Tue, 16 Sep 2025 06:00:00 GMT 37:04 68c6032344d0096b871842e3 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/hardy-lake-where-the-raptor-center-soars 68c6032344d0096b871842e3 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 hardy-lake-where-the-raptor-center-soars full 1 33 Join me at beautiful Hardy Lake where you'll find all the water recreation, hiking, or hunting you crave along with the state's largest raptor program! The Dwight Chamberlain Raptor Center was once a place to rehabilitate animals and birds of all kinds. Now, their educational birds can be seen at parks and events across the state. Much of the funding for the center comes from the Friends of Hardy Lake and their fun events. Hear all about the park, volunteers, and the incredible birds who call it home!


Follow the Friends of Hardy Lake and be on the lookout for their next Breakfast with the Birds! 


If you find an orphaned or injured animal, check out the DNR Fish and Wildlife resources for who to contact.


Check out this link if you want to see the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife barn owl camera, provided by their Friends group.


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Join me at beautiful Hardy Lake where you'll find all the water recreation, hiking, or hunting you crave along with the state's largest raptor program! The Dwight Chamberlain Raptor Center was once a place to rehabilitate animals and birds of all kinds. Now, their educational birds can be seen at parks and events across the state. Much of the funding for the center comes from the Friends of Hardy Lake and their fun events. Hear all about the park, volunteers, and the incredible birds who call it home!


Follow the Friends of Hardy Lake and be on the lookout for their next Breakfast with the Birds! 


If you find an orphaned or injured animal, check out the DNR Fish and Wildlife resources for who to contact.


Check out this link if you want to see the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife barn owl camera, provided by their Friends group.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Side Trail: Happy Birthday & Podcast Anniversary to Me!]]> Tue, 09 Sep 2025 06:00:00 GMT 36:09 68aa64b973bf5b6298824d16 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/side-trail-happy-birthday-podcast-anniversary-to-me 68aa64b973bf5b6298824d16 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 side-trail-happy-birthday-podcast-anniversary-to-me full 1 32 It’s my birthday AND the podcast’s one year anniversary! So today’s episode is a little different. My friends Halle and Kelcy are hosts of the travel podcast Love It There, and today they are interviewing ME about myself, the podcast, and the parks. Hope you enjoy this conversational episode and get to know me a little better!


Plus, I'm excited that you'll now be able to find IN the Parks content on the website Get Indiana. From Small Town Breakdowns to Hidden Gems to podcast interviews with local business leaders and thinkers, I know you'll appreciate our state even more! You can check out my IN the Parks posts too!


Here are some of the Love It There episodes we reference in this episode:


If you’ve traveled somewhere fun that you want to share about, reach out to Kelcy and Halle on Instagram.


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> It’s my birthday AND the podcast’s one year anniversary! So today’s episode is a little different. My friends Halle and Kelcy are hosts of the travel podcast Love It There, and today they are interviewing ME about myself, the podcast, and the parks. Hope you enjoy this conversational episode and get to know me a little better!


Plus, I'm excited that you'll now be able to find IN the Parks content on the website Get Indiana. From Small Town Breakdowns to Hidden Gems to podcast interviews with local business leaders and thinkers, I know you'll appreciate our state even more! You can check out my IN the Parks posts too!


Here are some of the Love It There episodes we reference in this episode:


If you’ve traveled somewhere fun that you want to share about, reach out to Kelcy and Halle on Instagram.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Brookville Lake: Bluebirds, Walleye, and 50 Years of Lake Life Brookville Lake: Bluebirds, Walleye, and 50 Years of Lake Life Tue, 02 Sep 2025 06:00:00 GMT 50:09 68aa637b73bf5b629881aadf false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/brookvillelake 68aa637b73bf5b629881aadf 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 brookvillelake full 1 31 It's Brookville Lake's 50th anniversary! So grab some cake and ice cream, put on your party hat, and learn how this reservoir has been thriving for half a century. We'll cover the past (fossils and mounds), the present (bluebirds, sandhill cranes, camping, hunting, boating, walleye, hiking, and mountain biking), and discuss the future plans to keep the park a wonderful place!


If you want to learn more about bluebirds or make your own bluebird box, the North American Bluebird Society has a TON of resources. You can also find a bluebird box blueprint through Cornell’s website which also has recommendations for the pole’s height, spacing, sizing, and more.


To learn more about the mountain bike trails, join group rides, or help with trail maintenance, check out the Brookville Lake Trail Group on Facebook. 


If you want to hear what sandhill cranes sound like, listen here so you can spot them when they migrate. 


To learn more about the Glidewell Mound, look at Ball State University's report. You will need to request access to view it, or reach out to me via social media and I'll make sure you get a copy.


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> It's Brookville Lake's 50th anniversary! So grab some cake and ice cream, put on your party hat, and learn how this reservoir has been thriving for half a century. We'll cover the past (fossils and mounds), the present (bluebirds, sandhill cranes, camping, hunting, boating, walleye, hiking, and mountain biking), and discuss the future plans to keep the park a wonderful place!


If you want to learn more about bluebirds or make your own bluebird box, the North American Bluebird Society has a TON of resources. You can also find a bluebird box blueprint through Cornell’s website which also has recommendations for the pole’s height, spacing, sizing, and more.


To learn more about the mountain bike trails, join group rides, or help with trail maintenance, check out the Brookville Lake Trail Group on Facebook. 


If you want to hear what sandhill cranes sound like, listen here so you can spot them when they migrate. 


To learn more about the Glidewell Mound, look at Ball State University's report. You will need to request access to view it, or reach out to me via social media and I'll make sure you get a copy.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Mississinewa Lake: The Conservation Mindset Mississinewa Lake: The Conservation Mindset Tue, 19 Aug 2025 06:00:00 GMT 42:29 689e8e7d436325e278646a88 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/mississinewa-lake-the-conservation-mindset 689e8e7d436325e278646a88 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 mississinewa-lake-the-conservation-mindset full 1 30 Time to go back to Peru, Indiana, to visit another beautiful reservoir property at Mississinewa Lake! There is so much to do here from camping, fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, and so much more. Plus, the Native American history here is information every Hoosier should learn about.


If you’re interested in seasonal camping, be sure to enter the lottery when it opens. My boating fans will definitely want to learn more from Red Bridge Marina. 


To find out about all the Friends of Mississinewa Lake events, including the fireworks show, visit their Facebook page.


If you want to learn about the Miami history in Indiana you can do that here and find out about the Miami Days at the Seven Pillars.


I found the definitions of preservation and conservation, along with some basic history about them, on the National Park Service website.


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Time to go back to Peru, Indiana, to visit another beautiful reservoir property at Mississinewa Lake! There is so much to do here from camping, fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, and so much more. Plus, the Native American history here is information every Hoosier should learn about.


If you’re interested in seasonal camping, be sure to enter the lottery when it opens. My boating fans will definitely want to learn more from Red Bridge Marina. 


To find out about all the Friends of Mississinewa Lake events, including the fireworks show, visit their Facebook page.


If you want to learn about the Miami history in Indiana you can do that here and find out about the Miami Days at the Seven Pillars.


I found the definitions of preservation and conservation, along with some basic history about them, on the National Park Service website.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Potato Creek State Park: The Power of a Place Potato Creek State Park: The Power of a Place Tue, 05 Aug 2025 06:00:00 GMT 54:32 688bc3eb6bbbf6afc77a478b false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/potato-creek-the-power-of-a-place 688bc3eb6bbbf6afc77a478b 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 potato-creek-the-power-of-a-place full 1 29 Potato Creek State Park has been many things to many people for hundreds of years, and there is so much to discover here! You’ll learn about how bugs helped this park come to life, hear stories of an integrated community pre-Civil War, and find out about the diverse activities and events the park offers. You'll also get the latest info on the inn being built in the park. All of these experiences define the creek and show the immense power of what a place means to us.


Be sure to check out NIMBA (Northern Indiana Mountain Biking Association) so you can learn about their membership, events, education opportunities, races, and trail maintenance days. Info specifically about Potato Creek is here and find them on social media @nimbamtb


Also look for ways to join or support the Friends of Potato Creek. You’ll want to follow them on Facebook to stay updated on events like the summer concerts, Halloween weekend, and Easter egg hunt!


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Potato Creek State Park has been many things to many people for hundreds of years, and there is so much to discover here! You’ll learn about how bugs helped this park come to life, hear stories of an integrated community pre-Civil War, and find out about the diverse activities and events the park offers. You'll also get the latest info on the inn being built in the park. All of these experiences define the creek and show the immense power of what a place means to us.


Be sure to check out NIMBA (Northern Indiana Mountain Biking Association) so you can learn about their membership, events, education opportunities, races, and trail maintenance days. Info specifically about Potato Creek is here and find them on social media @nimbamtb


Also look for ways to join or support the Friends of Potato Creek. You’ll want to follow them on Facebook to stay updated on events like the summer concerts, Halloween weekend, and Easter egg hunt!


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Cecil M Harden Lake: Raccoon State Recreation Area & the Mansfield Roller Mill]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 06:00:00 GMT 36:42 68794335b93bd5454dde28a6 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/cecil-m-harden-lake-raccoon-state-recreation-area-the-mansfi 68794335b93bd5454dde28a6 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 cecil-m-harden-lake-raccoon-state-recreation-area-the-mansfi Finding Opportunities in Every Change full 1 28 Cecil M Harden Lake aka Raccoon State Recreation Area aka the Mansfield Dam. They're all the same place, and the place is amazing! In this episode, we're learning some reservoir history and visiting the Mansfield roller mill while getting a little philosophical about change and opportunities. You'll also learn about the trails, fishing, water, and the beautiful campground! If you need to rent a boat, visit Raccoon Lake Boat Rental.


You'll also want to be part of the Smokey Bear Pedal Parade on August 9 for Smokey's 81st birthday!


Be sure to come back to Cecil M Harden Lake and camp at Raccoon SRA for the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival. You can hit up Mansfield and see the mill before visiting Rockville. They're both fun and will set you up for the perfect Indiana fall!


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Cecil M Harden Lake aka Raccoon State Recreation Area aka the Mansfield Dam. They're all the same place, and the place is amazing! In this episode, we're learning some reservoir history and visiting the Mansfield roller mill while getting a little philosophical about change and opportunities. You'll also learn about the trails, fishing, water, and the beautiful campground! If you need to rent a boat, visit Raccoon Lake Boat Rental.


You'll also want to be part of the Smokey Bear Pedal Parade on August 9 for Smokey's 81st birthday!


Be sure to come back to Cecil M Harden Lake and camp at Raccoon SRA for the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival. You can hit up Mansfield and see the mill before visiting Rockville. They're both fun and will set you up for the perfect Indiana fall!


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Salamonie Lake: A Park for Every Personality Salamonie Lake: A Park for Every Personality Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:00:00 GMT 46:31 686aee9255be9a8069495baa false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/salamonie-lake-a-park-for-every-personality 686aee9255be9a8069495baa 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 salamonie-lake-a-park-for-every-personality full 1 27 Keep enjoying that lake life and join me at Salamonie Lake! The park is big enough you’ll find there’s room for every personality, and I've come up with quite a few people who will love this place: Academic, Zoologist, Horse Lover, Trailhead, Happy Camper, Water Baby, Gardener, Hunter & Fisher, Frolfer, and Volunteer! Yup, you’re all welcome here.


At Salamonie, be sure to go to the Pirate’s Cove Marina for boat rentals, the annual t-shirt, and any camping needs.


And you should definitely visit the Friends of Upper Wabash Interpretive Services volunteer group and learn about their events and activities. Keep an eye on the Salamonie website for winter eagle watch dates.


Oh and you'll love Ronnie Hileman’s state parks song!


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Keep enjoying that lake life and join me at Salamonie Lake! The park is big enough you’ll find there’s room for every personality, and I've come up with quite a few people who will love this place: Academic, Zoologist, Horse Lover, Trailhead, Happy Camper, Water Baby, Gardener, Hunter & Fisher, Frolfer, and Volunteer! Yup, you’re all welcome here.


At Salamonie, be sure to go to the Pirate’s Cove Marina for boat rentals, the annual t-shirt, and any camping needs.


And you should definitely visit the Friends of Upper Wabash Interpretive Services volunteer group and learn about their events and activities. Keep an eye on the Salamonie website for winter eagle watch dates.


Oh and you'll love Ronnie Hileman’s state parks song!


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Chain O' Lakes State Park: A Small Boater's Paradise & A Hiker's Haven]]> Tue, 24 Jun 2025 06:00:00 GMT 52:01 6858873873d44a0f7e50cfa8 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/chain-o-lakes-state-park-a-small-boaters-paradise-a-hikers-h 6858873873d44a0f7e50cfa8 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 chain-o-lakes-state-park-a-small-boaters-paradise-a-hikers-h full 1 26 Come with me to beautiful Chain O' Lakes State Park in Albion, Indiana! This park is absolutely a small boater's paradise thanks to the 5 mile, 9 lake paddling challenge. But it's also a hiker's haven with almost 30 miles of trails and as home to Indiana's only 100 mile trail race, the Indiana Trail 100. I earned my 9 Lakes Challenge shirt, but still need to come back to hit the trails. The park offers activities for both kids and the endurance athlete. Plus, there's the Stanley School, a one room school house that was open until 1954!


Check out the map and photo spots for the 9 Lake Challenge so you can say “I paddled the chain!” Learn about the three events that are part of the Ignite Trail Series. And to find out about the preschool program, contact the park's interpretive naturalist, Carly Cornhill.


Any mistakes are my own.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Come with me to beautiful Chain O' Lakes State Park in Albion, Indiana! This park is absolutely a small boater's paradise thanks to the 5 mile, 9 lake paddling challenge. But it's also a hiker's haven with almost 30 miles of trails and as home to Indiana's only 100 mile trail race, the Indiana Trail 100. I earned my 9 Lakes Challenge shirt, but still need to come back to hit the trails. The park offers activities for both kids and the endurance athlete. Plus, there's the Stanley School, a one room school house that was open until 1954!


Check out the map and photo spots for the 9 Lake Challenge so you can say “I paddled the chain!” Learn about the three events that are part of the Ignite Trail Series. And to find out about the preschool program, contact the park's interpretive naturalist, Carly Cornhill.


Any mistakes are my own.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Monroe Lake: Paynetown, Fairfax State Recreation Areas, and More Monroe Lake: Paynetown, Fairfax State Recreation Areas, and More Tue, 10 Jun 2025 06:00:00 GMT 38:05 6846e01739bad1b9014cf982 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/monroe-lake-paynetown-fairfax-state-recreation-areas-and-mor 6846e01739bad1b9014cf982 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 monroe-lake-paynetown-fairfax-state-recreation-areas-and-mor A Home for All Hoosiers full 1 25 Come with me to Monroe Lake, home to state recreation areas like Paynetown, Fairfax, and many more! Indiana's largest lake has something for everyone -- boating, kayaking, camping, bird watching, hunting, private weekend getaways, and space for groups and families. With its proximity to Bloomington, this is the perfect place for people who want a mix of time in the city and nature. In this episode, learn about the lake's history, visit the dam, and discover the wide variety of activities that await at each recreation area!


Follow along on Facebook for all the incredible events at Monroe Lake. Look for information and pictures about osprey and bald eagles there too.


Keep up with all the events at Monroe Lake: Beginner Kayaking, Explore Monroe Paddling Trips, the history of the reservoir, and so much more! 

 

Be sure to check out Two Herons Marina and Fourwinds Lakeside Inn and Marina.


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Come with me to Monroe Lake, home to state recreation areas like Paynetown, Fairfax, and many more! Indiana's largest lake has something for everyone -- boating, kayaking, camping, bird watching, hunting, private weekend getaways, and space for groups and families. With its proximity to Bloomington, this is the perfect place for people who want a mix of time in the city and nature. In this episode, learn about the lake's history, visit the dam, and discover the wide variety of activities that await at each recreation area!


Follow along on Facebook for all the incredible events at Monroe Lake. Look for information and pictures about osprey and bald eagles there too.


Keep up with all the events at Monroe Lake: Beginner Kayaking, Explore Monroe Paddling Trips, the history of the reservoir, and so much more! 

 

Be sure to check out Two Herons Marina and Fourwinds Lakeside Inn and Marina.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Cagles Mill Lake: Lieber & Cataract Falls State Recreation Areas]]> Tue, 27 May 2025 06:00:00 GMT 27:06 68339ba0393e5e6cd83729b8 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/cagles-mill-lake-lieber-cataract-falls-state-recreation-area 68339ba0393e5e6cd83729b8 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 cagles-mill-lake-lieber-cataract-falls-state-recreation-area A Lake for Extroverts and Introverts full 1 24 Cagles Mill Lake was Indiana's first reservoir property! Home to Lieber and Cataract Falls State Recreation Areas, this lake is the perfect place for extroverts and introverts. Lieber has lots to do: camping, a beach, pool, nature center, water activities, events, and more. Cataract Falls has Indiana's largest waterfall, a red covered bridge, and creek stomping. Both sites provide picnicking spots, hiking, and plenty of beauty! Whether you need social connections or time alone, Cagles Mill Lake has you covered!


Cell phone service is really spotty driving from one side of the lake to the other and if there's serious flooding in the area, the country backroads may be flooded, so be sure to grab a paper map from the park or check out these directions to get from Cataract to Lieber. There are two options highlighted.


Join the Friends of Lieber and keep up with their year-round events. Follow the Army Corps of Engineers Cagles Mill Lake Facebook page to see how high water levels are.


Any mistakes are my own.

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]]> Cagles Mill Lake was Indiana's first reservoir property! Home to Lieber and Cataract Falls State Recreation Areas, this lake is the perfect place for extroverts and introverts. Lieber has lots to do: camping, a beach, pool, nature center, water activities, events, and more. Cataract Falls has Indiana's largest waterfall, a red covered bridge, and creek stomping. Both sites provide picnicking spots, hiking, and plenty of beauty! Whether you need social connections or time alone, Cagles Mill Lake has you covered!


Cell phone service is really spotty driving from one side of the lake to the other and if there's serious flooding in the area, the country backroads may be flooded, so be sure to grab a paper map from the park or check out these directions to get from Cataract to Lieber. There are two options highlighted.


Join the Friends of Lieber and keep up with their year-round events. Follow the Army Corps of Engineers Cagles Mill Lake Facebook page to see how high water levels are.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Summit Lake State Park: Get "Hooked" on Lake Life]]> Tue, 13 May 2025 06:00:00 GMT 26:41 681eb039365a6906d3abf7fe false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/summit-lake-state-park 681eb039365a6906d3abf7fe 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 summit-lake-state-park full 1 23 Summit Lake State Park is the perfect spot to kick off your lake life summer! The lake is where all the action is -- fishing, bird watching, swimming, and boating. But there are also several nice trails and tons of year-round activities for kids and families. Mark your calendar for the Youth Fishing Derby on June 7. Dates and information about Nature's Classroom are on the park's Facebook page. And their big fall events to keep in mind are Truck or Treat on Oct 11 and Spooktacular trick-or-treating in the campground on Oct 18.


The exact address for Hoosier Hill, the highest point in Indiana, is 11951 Elliott Rd, Lynn, IN 47355. I found very helpful directions to Hoosier Hill on this site. And that's where I discovered the tip about the nearby Coffin House.


To get to the bald eagle nest, go left out of the park on 600N. Take the first left on 500 E. You’ll drive between Summit Lake and a nature pond which was a cool little section. Then take a right on 750N. The eagle's nest is on the north side of the road, and there are several areas where you can pull onto the side of the road for viewing.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Summit Lake State Park is the perfect spot to kick off your lake life summer! The lake is where all the action is -- fishing, bird watching, swimming, and boating. But there are also several nice trails and tons of year-round activities for kids and families. Mark your calendar for the Youth Fishing Derby on June 7. Dates and information about Nature's Classroom are on the park's Facebook page. And their big fall events to keep in mind are Truck or Treat on Oct 11 and Spooktacular trick-or-treating in the campground on Oct 18.


The exact address for Hoosier Hill, the highest point in Indiana, is 11951 Elliott Rd, Lynn, IN 47355. I found very helpful directions to Hoosier Hill on this site. And that's where I discovered the tip about the nearby Coffin House.


To get to the bald eagle nest, go left out of the park on 600N. Take the first left on 500 E. You’ll drive between Summit Lake and a nature pond which was a cool little section. Then take a right on 750N. The eagle's nest is on the north side of the road, and there are several areas where you can pull onto the side of the road for viewing.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Shades State Park: The Rebel State Park Shades State Park: The Rebel State Park Tue, 29 Apr 2025 06:00:00 GMT 43:32 680ed83d92c5c49bd19a1771 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/shades-state-park 680ed83d92c5c49bd19a1771 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 shades-state-park full 1 22 Get to know the rebel state park -- The Shades! But is Shades actually the rugged, rebel, isolated park I think it is? You might be surprised to learn the real history of the property. Yes, there's lore and murder, but there's also innovation, social movements, and my favorite hike in Indiana so far! Plus, we get into astronomy and why Shades is the best place for star-gazing. If you've never been to Shades, make it a priority!


If you want to hike the Pine Hills Nature Preserve, this map gives information about what you’ll see. Learn more about The Friends of Turkey Run and Shades State Parks and keep track of their great events!


If you live in the area, be sure to connect with the Wabash Valley Astronomical Society. If you live in other parts of Indiana, the state’s astronomical society is a great place to start. I’m confident nearby states have their own societies, so my out of state listeners, you’ll have to look up your closest group. But everyone can be sure to check out the Indiana Family Star Party this summer too!


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Get to know the rebel state park -- The Shades! But is Shades actually the rugged, rebel, isolated park I think it is? You might be surprised to learn the real history of the property. Yes, there's lore and murder, but there's also innovation, social movements, and my favorite hike in Indiana so far! Plus, we get into astronomy and why Shades is the best place for star-gazing. If you've never been to Shades, make it a priority!


If you want to hike the Pine Hills Nature Preserve, this map gives information about what you’ll see. Learn more about The Friends of Turkey Run and Shades State Parks and keep track of their great events!


If you live in the area, be sure to connect with the Wabash Valley Astronomical Society. If you live in other parts of Indiana, the state’s astronomical society is a great place to start. I’m confident nearby states have their own societies, so my out of state listeners, you’ll have to look up your closest group. But everyone can be sure to check out the Indiana Family Star Party this summer too!


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Side Trail: Fire Towers, Lookouts & Women Reaching New Heights]]> Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:00:00 GMT 45:58 67fc12c5629a2f36366dd0d3 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/fire-towers-lookouts-women-reaching-new-heights 67fc12c5629a2f36366dd0d3 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 fire-towers-lookouts-women-reaching-new-heights full 1 21 I loved learning about fire towers and lookouts in Indiana and across the country. There's so much history here, and I barely scratched the surface! You can learn tons about fire towers at the Forest Fire Lookout Association site. If you want to see a presentation Teena Ligman did in March 2025 about them, including pictures, click here. You’ll hear much of the same information but get the awesome visuals a podcast can’t provide.


If you have a kid who loves fire towers, check out Headstrong Hallie!, an illustrated kids’ book about Hallie Morse Daggett.


I saw Clarisse Carroll's name spelled several ways (Clarisse, Clarrise, and Clarissie). I pronounced it Cla-reece; Teena pronounced it Cla-rissie. I'm not sure which is correct, and unfortunately, I didn't have time to track down any of her relatives. If you know the right pronunciation, please reach out! If you'd like to read more about her, here’s information. I learned a lot about the Georgia Fire Tower on the US Forest Service site.


Finally, if you want to climb all Indiana’s fire towers and learn more about ones no longer in use, check them out here.


Any mistakes -- and I'm sure there are some! -- are mine.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> I loved learning about fire towers and lookouts in Indiana and across the country. There's so much history here, and I barely scratched the surface! You can learn tons about fire towers at the Forest Fire Lookout Association site. If you want to see a presentation Teena Ligman did in March 2025 about them, including pictures, click here. You’ll hear much of the same information but get the awesome visuals a podcast can’t provide.


If you have a kid who loves fire towers, check out Headstrong Hallie!, an illustrated kids’ book about Hallie Morse Daggett.


I saw Clarisse Carroll's name spelled several ways (Clarisse, Clarrise, and Clarissie). I pronounced it Cla-reece; Teena pronounced it Cla-rissie. I'm not sure which is correct, and unfortunately, I didn't have time to track down any of her relatives. If you know the right pronunciation, please reach out! If you'd like to read more about her, here’s information. I learned a lot about the Georgia Fire Tower on the US Forest Service site.


Finally, if you want to climb all Indiana’s fire towers and learn more about ones no longer in use, check them out here.


Any mistakes -- and I'm sure there are some! -- are mine.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Side Trail: The Civilian Conservation Corps Side Trail: The Civilian Conservation Corps Tue, 01 Apr 2025 06:00:00 GMT 28:45 67e87e9b5fb59eadfc3d052f false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/side-trail-the-civilian-conservation-corps 67e87e9b5fb59eadfc3d052f 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 side-trail-the-civilian-conservation-corps full 1 20 The Civilian Conservation Corps, started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, made our state parks what they are today. Not only did these boys (as they were endearlingly called) work in Indiana, but throughout the entire country developing parks, protecting forests, and on soil conservation projects. White, Black, Native American, and Hispanic -- young men from all walks of life left their fingerprints on our country.


I learned so much about the CCC from Glory-June Greiff whose book you can purchase on her website or potentially find at your local library. I also learned about the CCC from the book The Complete Guide to Indiana State Parks by Nathan D. Strange. In addition, the Indiana Historical Society was an enormous help in finding pictures of the boys and issues of the CCC company newsletters. I'm also hugely indebted to Katie Martin (no relation) for her excellent research. She and others wrote about Marshall Carter, but it was her work that directed me to his poem.


I also found information about the CCC on the Steuben County website, read interviews with Roger Woodcock in the Whitley County paper, learned about several African-American enrollees through the DNR's research, and learned about CCC companies nationwide on the CCC Legacy site.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Civilian Conservation Corps, started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, made our state parks what they are today. Not only did these boys (as they were endearlingly called) work in Indiana, but throughout the entire country developing parks, protecting forests, and on soil conservation projects. White, Black, Native American, and Hispanic -- young men from all walks of life left their fingerprints on our country.


I learned so much about the CCC from Glory-June Greiff whose book you can purchase on her website or potentially find at your local library. I also learned about the CCC from the book The Complete Guide to Indiana State Parks by Nathan D. Strange. In addition, the Indiana Historical Society was an enormous help in finding pictures of the boys and issues of the CCC company newsletters. I'm also hugely indebted to Katie Martin (no relation) for her excellent research. She and others wrote about Marshall Carter, but it was her work that directed me to his poem.


I also found information about the CCC on the Steuben County website, read interviews with Roger Woodcock in the Whitley County paper, learned about several African-American enrollees through the DNR's research, and learned about CCC companies nationwide on the CCC Legacy site.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Pokagon State Park: Exploring the Park with the Hell's Point Challenge]]> Tue, 18 Mar 2025 06:00:00 GMT 34:11 67d60480b3ef7ea352cef24b false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/pokagon-state-park-exploring-the-park-with-the-hells-point-c 67d60480b3ef7ea352cef24b 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 pokagon-state-park-exploring-the-park-with-the-hells-point-c full 1 19 Come along with me to Pokagon State Park and let's tackle the 8-mile-long Hell's Point Challenge together! We'll learn all about the park including the Pokagon band of the Potawatomi, the CCC young men, the wide variety of park habitats, the Potawatomi Inn, stable barn, toboggan run, and more. We'll also learn a few hacks for how to get the most out of the toboggan run and how you can cheat the system for an easier way to complete the Hell's Point Challenge!


While this episode is coming out AFTER the toboggan run closes, you’ll want to keep it in mind for next year! You should definitely book a room at the Potawatomi Inn. And be sure to support the Friends of Pokagon and check them out at their open meeting on April 6th.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Come along with me to Pokagon State Park and let's tackle the 8-mile-long Hell's Point Challenge together! We'll learn all about the park including the Pokagon band of the Potawatomi, the CCC young men, the wide variety of park habitats, the Potawatomi Inn, stable barn, toboggan run, and more. We'll also learn a few hacks for how to get the most out of the toboggan run and how you can cheat the system for an easier way to complete the Hell's Point Challenge!


While this episode is coming out AFTER the toboggan run closes, you’ll want to keep it in mind for next year! You should definitely book a room at the Potawatomi Inn. And be sure to support the Friends of Pokagon and check them out at their open meeting on April 6th.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Spring Mill State Park, Part 2: The Grist Mill & the Grissom Memorial]]> Tue, 04 Mar 2025 07:00:00 GMT 30:35 67ba7d99b628e470d39747f9 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/spring-mill-state-park-part-2-the-grist-mill-the-grissom-mem 67ba7d99b628e470d39747f9 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 spring-mill-state-park-part-2-the-grist-mill-the-grissom-mem full 1 18 What do a 200 year old grist mill and an astronaut have in common? Quite a lot actually! We head back to Spring Mill State Park to learn about the cultural impact of the place. You'll get a lesson in physics, history, and space travel as we learn about the pioneer village, the mill, and Gus Grissom. Plus, you'll find out what happened to the mill a couple years ago and how the reopening progress is going!


The episode also touches on the CCC African American Company 539, how a volcano eruption in Indonesia affected Indiana, and plans to reopen the village's old distillery.


If you want to learn more about The Year Without a Summer, check this out.


I'm confident there are errors in this episode that have to do with my limited understanding of physics and mill operations. Rest assured, those are my own mistakes and do not reflect the park staff's knowledge and competence!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> What do a 200 year old grist mill and an astronaut have in common? Quite a lot actually! We head back to Spring Mill State Park to learn about the cultural impact of the place. You'll get a lesson in physics, history, and space travel as we learn about the pioneer village, the mill, and Gus Grissom. Plus, you'll find out what happened to the mill a couple years ago and how the reopening progress is going!


The episode also touches on the CCC African American Company 539, how a volcano eruption in Indonesia affected Indiana, and plans to reopen the village's old distillery.


If you want to learn more about The Year Without a Summer, check this out.


I'm confident there are errors in this episode that have to do with my limited understanding of physics and mill operations. Rest assured, those are my own mistakes and do not reflect the park staff's knowledge and competence!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Spring Mill State Park, Part 1: Cave Adventures and Ancient Forests Spring Mill State Park, Part 1: Cave Adventures and Ancient Forests Tue, 18 Feb 2025 07:00:00 GMT 35:55 67b23792f7ed89241026001d false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/spring-mill-state-park-part-1-cave-adventures-and-ancient-fo 67b23792f7ed89241026001d 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 spring-mill-state-park-part-1-cave-adventures-and-ancient-fo full 1 17 Spring Mill State Park in Mitchell, IN, offers everything a state park should -- nature, history, and culture. There's so much going on at this park, I had to make two episodes! In Part 1, you'll learn why old growth forests are important, find out what's hiding in the dark cave systems, and discover how you can explore the caves by foot or by boat. You'll also get the backstory on how an unexpected bird, the brown booby, transformed the park last year!


Plus, you'll hear some updates on the newly renovated inn and learn about events the Friends of Spring Mill puts on every year. In Part 2, we'll spend time in the pioneer village checking out the redone grist mill and learn about astronaut Gus Grissom who grew up in Mitchell.


If you want the Spring Mill wassail recipe, here it is!

2 quarts apple cider 

1 1/2 cups orange juice 

3/4 cup pineapple juice 

1 Tablespoon brown sugar 

1 tsp lemon juice 

2 cinnamon sticks 

Dash of ground cloves 

Combine all ingredients, bring to a boil.

Reduce heat. Simmer for 1 hour.

Discard cinnamon sticks. Enjoy!


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Spring Mill State Park in Mitchell, IN, offers everything a state park should -- nature, history, and culture. There's so much going on at this park, I had to make two episodes! In Part 1, you'll learn why old growth forests are important, find out what's hiding in the dark cave systems, and discover how you can explore the caves by foot or by boat. You'll also get the backstory on how an unexpected bird, the brown booby, transformed the park last year!


Plus, you'll hear some updates on the newly renovated inn and learn about events the Friends of Spring Mill puts on every year. In Part 2, we'll spend time in the pioneer village checking out the redone grist mill and learn about astronaut Gus Grissom who grew up in Mitchell.


If you want the Spring Mill wassail recipe, here it is!

2 quarts apple cider 

1 1/2 cups orange juice 

3/4 cup pineapple juice 

1 Tablespoon brown sugar 

1 tsp lemon juice 

2 cinnamon sticks 

Dash of ground cloves 

Combine all ingredients, bring to a boil.

Reduce heat. Simmer for 1 hour.

Discard cinnamon sticks. Enjoy!


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Side Trail: How to Hike All the State Parks in One Year! Side Trail: How to Hike All the State Parks in One Year! Fri, 14 Feb 2025 07:00:00 GMT 22:37 67a95c83505cb2a0a37710e3 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/side-trail-how-to-hike-all-the-state-parks-in-one-year 67a95c83505cb2a0a37710e3 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 side-trail-how-to-hike-all-the-state-parks-in-one-year full 1 16 On this special Valentine's Day episode, get ready to fall in LOVE with Indiana state parks! All 24 state parks, 8 reservoirs, 2 state forest recreation areas, and 2 off-roading parks add up to 36 properties! Could you hike them all in one year?


Get ready to meet 3 Hoosiers who love the parks so much, they had to take on the challenge! They share their tips and tricks for batching parks together, how to find the best trails and views, and which parks they're excited to visit again. Plus, they'll share the life lessons they picked up along the way.


Be sure to follow Mosaic Indiana State Parks Trailblazers on Instagram.


Any mistakes are my own.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> On this special Valentine's Day episode, get ready to fall in LOVE with Indiana state parks! All 24 state parks, 8 reservoirs, 2 state forest recreation areas, and 2 off-roading parks add up to 36 properties! Could you hike them all in one year?


Get ready to meet 3 Hoosiers who love the parks so much, they had to take on the challenge! They share their tips and tricks for batching parks together, how to find the best trails and views, and which parks they're excited to visit again. Plus, they'll share the life lessons they picked up along the way.


Be sure to follow Mosaic Indiana State Parks Trailblazers on Instagram.


Any mistakes are my own.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Charlestown State Park: Hiking through History and Mysteries Charlestown State Park: Hiking through History and Mysteries Tue, 04 Feb 2025 07:00:00 GMT 43:57 67a007ddf0c4d1869167a598 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/charlestown-state-park 67a007ddf0c4d1869167a598 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 charlestown-state-park full 1 15 Charlestown State Park is a hiker's paradise and a camper's dream! Full of legends, lore, and even a ghost town, Charlestown has plenty of excitement and beauty. The park's new hiking challenge will take you through every single trail, and this episode will too! You'll hear from the challenge creators, park staff, and even the mayor of Charlestown why each trail is worth hiking as we cover the mysteries and history of the park. Get ready to learn about Rose Island, the Welsh Prince Madoc, the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant, and the future plans for Charlestown.


Get connected with the Friends of Charlestown State Park. Be sure to tackle the new Challenge! Sign up for Devil's Backbone hikes. (Scroll down to Events to see the hike dates.) And don't forget to Bring in the Green on St. Patrick's Day weekend.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Charlestown State Park is a hiker's paradise and a camper's dream! Full of legends, lore, and even a ghost town, Charlestown has plenty of excitement and beauty. The park's new hiking challenge will take you through every single trail, and this episode will too! You'll hear from the challenge creators, park staff, and even the mayor of Charlestown why each trail is worth hiking as we cover the mysteries and history of the park. Get ready to learn about Rose Island, the Welsh Prince Madoc, the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant, and the future plans for Charlestown.


Get connected with the Friends of Charlestown State Park. Be sure to tackle the new Challenge! Sign up for Devil's Backbone hikes. (Scroll down to Events to see the hike dates.) And don't forget to Bring in the Green on St. Patrick's Day weekend.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Falls of the Ohio State Park: Don't Take Fossils for Granite]]> Tue, 21 Jan 2025 07:00:00 GMT 32:33 678edf4b16bc7a8545fba1bf false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/falls-of-the-ohio-state-park-dont-take-fossils-for-granite 678edf4b16bc7a8545fba1bf 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 falls-of-the-ohio-state-park-dont-take-fossils-for-granite full 1 14 Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, IN, may be the smallest state park, but the history and impact of this land is enormous! Come with me on a journey through time as we learn about the stories of the fossils, George Rogers Clark, the Underground Railroad, and more. You'll also learn what's going on with the park today as well as hear more rock puns than you wanted!


Be sure to visit Falls of the Ohio Foundation where you can check out the webcam to get a good idea of whether or not the fossil beds are exposed. Also be sure to look at Alan’s fossil brochure with pictures of the fossils. If paleontology camp sounds fun, here's info on it.


I've known general information about Hannah Toliver for a while, but it was wonderful to find her historic marker about a mile away from Falls of the Ohio. I was greatly helped by a presentation at Falls of the Ohio about Guinea Bottoms and the Underground Railroad that you may want to see in its entirety.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Falls of the Ohio State Park in Clarksville, IN, may be the smallest state park, but the history and impact of this land is enormous! Come with me on a journey through time as we learn about the stories of the fossils, George Rogers Clark, the Underground Railroad, and more. You'll also learn what's going on with the park today as well as hear more rock puns than you wanted!


Be sure to visit Falls of the Ohio Foundation where you can check out the webcam to get a good idea of whether or not the fossil beds are exposed. Also be sure to look at Alan’s fossil brochure with pictures of the fossils. If paleontology camp sounds fun, here's info on it.


I've known general information about Hannah Toliver for a while, but it was wonderful to find her historic marker about a mile away from Falls of the Ohio. I was greatly helped by a presentation at Falls of the Ohio about Guinea Bottoms and the Underground Railroad that you may want to see in its entirety.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The State of the State Parks: Interview with Dan Bortner, Director of Indiana Department of Natural Resources The State of the State Parks: Interview with Dan Bortner, Director of Indiana Department of Natural Resources Tue, 07 Jan 2025 07:00:34 GMT 21:00 677afa464f8140cb1f740c47 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/the-state-of-the-state-parks-interview-with-dan-bortner-dire 677afa464f8140cb1f740c47 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 the-state-of-the-state-parks-interview-with-dan-bortner-dire full 1 13 Hear about the State of the State Parks from Indiana's director of the Department of Natural Resources, Dan Bortner. This governor-appointed position gets to shape and guide the priorities of the administration, which means for the past four years, Dan has had a front row seat to exciting initiatives like the Unity Blaze, Next Level Trails, planting one million trees, building a new lodge at Potato Creek State Park, and so much more!


In this episode, Dan shares about his lifelong love for Indiana's state parks, what he's proud of accomplishing over the past four years, and what Hoosiers have to look forward to in 2025 and beyond.


If you're interested, learn more about Indiana's Unity Blaze initiative or the Black Folks Camp Too organization.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Hear about the State of the State Parks from Indiana's director of the Department of Natural Resources, Dan Bortner. This governor-appointed position gets to shape and guide the priorities of the administration, which means for the past four years, Dan has had a front row seat to exciting initiatives like the Unity Blaze, Next Level Trails, planting one million trees, building a new lodge at Potato Creek State Park, and so much more!


In this episode, Dan shares about his lifelong love for Indiana's state parks, what he's proud of accomplishing over the past four years, and what Hoosiers have to look forward to in 2025 and beyond.


If you're interested, learn more about Indiana's Unity Blaze initiative or the Black Folks Camp Too organization.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Side Trail: Interpretive Naturalists, the Storytellers of the Parks Side Trail: Interpretive Naturalists, the Storytellers of the Parks Tue, 17 Dec 2024 07:14:02 GMT 34:32 675f299da89833ab77779d7b false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/side-trail-interpretive-naturalists-the-storytellers-of-indi 675f299da89833ab77779d7b 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 side-trail-interpretive-naturalists-the-storytellers-of-indi full 1 12 In nearly every episode, you've heard from the state park's interpretive naturalist. But what exactly is that job? In a word, they're storytellers. Listen to find out why I think this may be THE most important job in the state parks! You'll get to hear about the woman who started it all, why white tennis shoes are important, who was the state's top interpretive naturalist in 2024 (hint: we met her already this season!), and what it takes to be an interpretive naturalist. You'll hear a few familiar voices from past episodes and meet a couple new women who oversee the work at the state level. I loved talking with all of them!


Plus, don't forget to take advantage of these holiday deals! Buy a vintage, 1930s-inspired poster of a favorite Indiana state park, national park, lake, or small town from Recollection Project and get one free with the code INTHEPARKS. (FYI: Orders will arrive after Christmas.)


And you'll definitely get a good night’s sleep with a pillow from Comfort Option. Use the code INtheParks to save 15%.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In nearly every episode, you've heard from the state park's interpretive naturalist. But what exactly is that job? In a word, they're storytellers. Listen to find out why I think this may be THE most important job in the state parks! You'll get to hear about the woman who started it all, why white tennis shoes are important, who was the state's top interpretive naturalist in 2024 (hint: we met her already this season!), and what it takes to be an interpretive naturalist. You'll hear a few familiar voices from past episodes and meet a couple new women who oversee the work at the state level. I loved talking with all of them!


Plus, don't forget to take advantage of these holiday deals! Buy a vintage, 1930s-inspired poster of a favorite Indiana state park, national park, lake, or small town from Recollection Project and get one free with the code INTHEPARKS. (FYI: Orders will arrive after Christmas.)


And you'll definitely get a good night’s sleep with a pillow from Comfort Option. Use the code INtheParks to save 15%.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Versailles State Park: Creating a Family Culture for Bikers, Hikers, Kayakers, and More! Versailles State Park: Creating a Family Culture for Bikers, Hikers, Kayakers, and More! Tue, 03 Dec 2024 07:00:35 GMT 40:58 674caf023bd1d4df28f67717 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/versailles-state-park-mountain-bikes-extreme-hikes-and-a-fam 674caf023bd1d4df28f67717 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 versailles-state-park-mountain-bikes-extreme-hikes-and-a-fam full 1 11 Travel to Versailles State Park in southeast Indiana where you'll learn about the incredibly supportive family culture the staff has that extends to everyone who visits the park. And this place is an outdoorsy person's dream! You've got mountain biking, hiking, and horse trails plus a lake for boating, kayaking, and fishing! There's also camping, history, and a supportive community that welcomes guests into the family. The pool is perfect in the summer and you can't beat the leaf gazing in the fall!


Mountain bikers, be sure to learn more about SIMBA and how to get involved with their work. And definitely look into Hassmer Fest! Hikers and trail fans should learn more about Mammoth March. See you at the 20 mile hike on June 28, 2025! If you're in the area, you definitely want to join the Friends of Versailles State Park.


Don't forget to take advantage of these holiday deals! Buy a vintage, 1930s-inspired poster of a favorite Indiana state park, national park, lake, or small town from Recollection Project and get one free with the code INTHEPARKS.


And you'll definitely get a good night’s sleep with a pillow from Comfort Option. Use the code INtheParks to save 15% on a pillow or mattress.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Travel to Versailles State Park in southeast Indiana where you'll learn about the incredibly supportive family culture the staff has that extends to everyone who visits the park. And this place is an outdoorsy person's dream! You've got mountain biking, hiking, and horse trails plus a lake for boating, kayaking, and fishing! There's also camping, history, and a supportive community that welcomes guests into the family. The pool is perfect in the summer and you can't beat the leaf gazing in the fall!


Mountain bikers, be sure to learn more about SIMBA and how to get involved with their work. And definitely look into Hassmer Fest! Hikers and trail fans should learn more about Mammoth March. See you at the 20 mile hike on June 28, 2025! If you're in the area, you definitely want to join the Friends of Versailles State Park.


Don't forget to take advantage of these holiday deals! Buy a vintage, 1930s-inspired poster of a favorite Indiana state park, national park, lake, or small town from Recollection Project and get one free with the code INTHEPARKS.


And you'll definitely get a good night’s sleep with a pillow from Comfort Option. Use the code INtheParks to save 15% on a pillow or mattress.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Side Trail: Holidays IN the Parks Side Trail: Holidays IN the Parks Tue, 26 Nov 2024 07:00:23 GMT 25:15 67412a93041fb70e9c695444 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/side-trail-holidays-in-the-parks 67412a93041fb70e9c695444 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 side-trail-holidays-in-the-parks full 1 10 It's a special Holidays IN the Parks episode! Your shopping list, wish list, and holiday events are all taken care of! Listen now and you'll be in the know for the best gifts, events, and family traditions.


Holiday Gifts

1. Buy a vintage-style state park, national park, or any poster from Recollection Project and get one free with the code INTHEPARKS

2. Purchase a 2025 state parks pass

3. Subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine

HOT TIP: Purchase the state parks Holiday Gift Pack while supplies last (2025 state parks pass, Outdoor Indiana subscription, and gift card to an inn or campground)

4. Get a good night’s sleep with a pillow from Comfort Option. Use the code INtheParks to save 15% on a pillow or mattress.

5. Buy awesome state parks merch and gear from the DNR store


State Park Holiday Events

Pokagon – Ride the toboggan all winter and go on the Christmas Eve morning walk


Potato Creek – The Hillsiders Band concert 


Chain O’ Lakes – Christmas Carol Clue Hunt 


Ouabache – Wonderland of Lights and Santa Saturdays


Prophetstown – Head to The Farm for Breakfast with Santa or Christmas on the Farm (UPDATE: Breakfast with Santa is sold out at both times; waitlist available)


Mounds – Drive or walk through Nights of Lights


Lieber SRA – Drive through lights display


Spring Mill State Park – Drive through lights and Holiday in the Village


Clifty Falls – Call Clifty Inn for Breakfast with the Grinch or get tickets to the New Year’s Eve party


Any mistakes are my own. (Including a grammatical one in this episode!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> It's a special Holidays IN the Parks episode! Your shopping list, wish list, and holiday events are all taken care of! Listen now and you'll be in the know for the best gifts, events, and family traditions.


Holiday Gifts

1. Buy a vintage-style state park, national park, or any poster from Recollection Project and get one free with the code INTHEPARKS

2. Purchase a 2025 state parks pass

3. Subscribe to Outdoor Indiana magazine

HOT TIP: Purchase the state parks Holiday Gift Pack while supplies last (2025 state parks pass, Outdoor Indiana subscription, and gift card to an inn or campground)

4. Get a good night’s sleep with a pillow from Comfort Option. Use the code INtheParks to save 15% on a pillow or mattress.

5. Buy awesome state parks merch and gear from the DNR store


State Park Holiday Events

Pokagon – Ride the toboggan all winter and go on the Christmas Eve morning walk


Potato Creek – The Hillsiders Band concert 


Chain O’ Lakes – Christmas Carol Clue Hunt 


Ouabache – Wonderland of Lights and Santa Saturdays


Prophetstown – Head to The Farm for Breakfast with Santa or Christmas on the Farm (UPDATE: Breakfast with Santa is sold out at both times; waitlist available)


Mounds – Drive or walk through Nights of Lights


Lieber SRA – Drive through lights display


Spring Mill State Park – Drive through lights and Holiday in the Village


Clifty Falls – Call Clifty Inn for Breakfast with the Grinch or get tickets to the New Year’s Eve party


Any mistakes are my own. (Including a grammatical one in this episode!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Clifty Falls State Park: Being a Good Neighbor Clifty Falls State Park: Being a Good Neighbor Tue, 12 Nov 2024 07:00:45 GMT 39:39 6731534d6bd9c43f66b545f6 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/clifty-falls-state-park-being-a-good-neighbor 6731534d6bd9c43f66b545f6 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 clifty-falls-state-park-being-a-good-neighbor full 1 9 Let's visit an Indiana State Parks fan favorite: Clifty Falls State Park! Clifty Falls is another beauty and is well-loved for its history, hiking, and waterfalls. Oh, and the bats! In this episode, you'll see what it means to be a good neighbor thanks to the actions of the city of Madison and the Friends of Clifty Falls volunteer group. From battling invasive plants to finding new ways to offer accessibility, Clifty Falls is supported by a variety of people who love it. And yes, we'll learn about an Indiana bat species too since they live in Brough's Tunnel in the park.


If you’d like to learn more about the Friends of Clifty Falls, including becoming a member or volunteering, visit their website or Facebook page. On the DNR website, you can also Report A Mammal to track park populations or use the Sick or Dead Wildlife Reporting site. (Please note, that is not for roadkill or animals hit by cars.)


This episode also covers Clifty Inn, chimney swifts (a kind of bird), and the CCC impact. Plus, save the dates for women's hiking events and the Vintage Camper Rally which happens yearly at the end of June!


If you’re hungry for some ice cream after your time at Clifty Falls, be sure to visit Chillbilly Treats. And thanks to our sponsor Comfort Option – customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Let's visit an Indiana State Parks fan favorite: Clifty Falls State Park! Clifty Falls is another beauty and is well-loved for its history, hiking, and waterfalls. Oh, and the bats! In this episode, you'll see what it means to be a good neighbor thanks to the actions of the city of Madison and the Friends of Clifty Falls volunteer group. From battling invasive plants to finding new ways to offer accessibility, Clifty Falls is supported by a variety of people who love it. And yes, we'll learn about an Indiana bat species too since they live in Brough's Tunnel in the park.


If you’d like to learn more about the Friends of Clifty Falls, including becoming a member or volunteering, visit their website or Facebook page. On the DNR website, you can also Report A Mammal to track park populations or use the Sick or Dead Wildlife Reporting site. (Please note, that is not for roadkill or animals hit by cars.)


This episode also covers Clifty Inn, chimney swifts (a kind of bird), and the CCC impact. Plus, save the dates for women's hiking events and the Vintage Camper Rally which happens yearly at the end of June!


If you’re hungry for some ice cream after your time at Clifty Falls, be sure to visit Chillbilly Treats. And thanks to our sponsor Comfort Option – customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.


Any mistakes are my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Farm at Prophetstown: Finding Your Third Place The Farm at Prophetstown: Finding Your Third Place Tue, 29 Oct 2024 06:00:13 GMT 28:39 671ea9997be55ae189b53bf8 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/the-farm-at-prophetstown-finding-your-third-place 671ea9997be55ae189b53bf8 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 the-farm-at-prophetstown-finding-your-third-place full 1 8 Come back to Prophetstown State Park with me and enjoy time at The Farm, a non-profit in the park that tells the story of Indiana farm life in the 1920s. The Farm at Prophetstown is an ideal spot for a Third Place. Never heard of the term "Third Place" before? That’s okay; neither had I! So listen and learn along with me.


You’ll also hear about their farm-to-table dinners, all the animals, the farmhouse, tenant house, blacksmith shop, and windmill. Whether you’re interested in raising chickens, want to remember what your great-grandfather’s house was like, or want some outdoor fun, The Farm at Prophetstown is the place to be!

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]]> Come back to Prophetstown State Park with me and enjoy time at The Farm, a non-profit in the park that tells the story of Indiana farm life in the 1920s. The Farm at Prophetstown is an ideal spot for a Third Place. Never heard of the term "Third Place" before? That’s okay; neither had I! So listen and learn along with me.


You’ll also hear about their farm-to-table dinners, all the animals, the farmhouse, tenant house, blacksmith shop, and windmill. Whether you’re interested in raising chickens, want to remember what your great-grandfather’s house was like, or want some outdoor fun, The Farm at Prophetstown is the place to be!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[Prophetstown State Park: How We Shape Our Homeland & How It Shapes Us]]> Tue, 15 Oct 2024 06:00:47 GMT 54:00 670c1e67df4dd6f896317fd6 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/prophet-stown-state-park-how-we-shape-our-homeland-how-it-sh 670c1e67df4dd6f896317fd6 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 prophet-stown-state-park-how-we-shape-our-homeland-how-it-sh full 1 7 Fall in love with the prairie, farms, and Indiana history at Prophetstown State Park. While most Indiana state parks have ravines, woods, and maybe even a waterfall, Prophetstown is all about the expansive prairie full of wildflowers, tall grasses, birds, rivers, and farms. This land has been loved and developed for thousands of years and been shaped by ice, water, fire, and human hands.


Be sure you also check out The Farm at Prophetstown. If you want to learn more about mussels and see the aquariums they cleaned, visit Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. To learn more about Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh, I recommend listening to a couple episodes of Talking Hoosier History by the Indiana Historical Bureau. There are two episodes: The Making of a Prophet and The Rise and Fall of a Nation.


If you’re hungry for some ice cream after your time at Prophetstown, be sure to visit The Igloo Frozen Custard. And thanks to our sponsor Comfort Option – customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.


Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Fall in love with the prairie, farms, and Indiana history at Prophetstown State Park. While most Indiana state parks have ravines, woods, and maybe even a waterfall, Prophetstown is all about the expansive prairie full of wildflowers, tall grasses, birds, rivers, and farms. This land has been loved and developed for thousands of years and been shaped by ice, water, fire, and human hands.


Be sure you also check out The Farm at Prophetstown. If you want to learn more about mussels and see the aquariums they cleaned, visit Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. To learn more about Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh, I recommend listening to a couple episodes of Talking Hoosier History by the Indiana Historical Bureau. There are two episodes: The Making of a Prophet and The Rise and Fall of a Nation.


If you’re hungry for some ice cream after your time at Prophetstown, be sure to visit The Igloo Frozen Custard. And thanks to our sponsor Comfort Option – customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.


Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Side Trail: Going Birdwatching IN the Parks Side Trail: Going Birdwatching IN the Parks Tue, 01 Oct 2024 06:00:14 GMT 42:25 66fb440f71888fe6b1f3c62c false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/side-trail-going-birdwatching-in-the-parks 66fb440f71888fe6b1f3c62c 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 side-trail-going-birdwatching-in-the-parks or What do Binoculars, Pokemon, and Owls have in Common? full 1 6 In this “side trail” episode, we metaphorically take a hike down another path and go birding! My first time birdwatching was a blast, even though my ignorance was on full display. Thankfully, I had experts to guide me! I’m joined by special guests Rob Ripma of Sabrewing Nature Tours (check out his international tours), Whitney Yoerger from Indiana Audubon (becoming a member is affordable and supports Indiana conservation work), and my high school German teacher Judy Birkel who has been birding for years.


I cover so many awesome resources in this episode! Be sure you check out the Indiana Birding Trail, save the date for the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, and get your city involved in Bird Town Indiana. The apps mentioned here include Merlin Bird ID and eBird. You can also learn about Project Owl-Net on the Indiana Audubon website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In this “side trail” episode, we metaphorically take a hike down another path and go birding! My first time birdwatching was a blast, even though my ignorance was on full display. Thankfully, I had experts to guide me! I’m joined by special guests Rob Ripma of Sabrewing Nature Tours (check out his international tours), Whitney Yoerger from Indiana Audubon (becoming a member is affordable and supports Indiana conservation work), and my high school German teacher Judy Birkel who has been birding for years.


I cover so many awesome resources in this episode! Be sure you check out the Indiana Birding Trail, save the date for the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, and get your city involved in Bird Town Indiana. The apps mentioned here include Merlin Bird ID and eBird. You can also learn about Project Owl-Net on the Indiana Audubon website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> McCormick’s Creek State Park: Coming Back from Tragedy McCormick’s Creek State Park: Coming Back from Tragedy Tue, 17 Sep 2024 05:00:30 GMT 37:37 66e8ca207c942966761c9ec2 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/mccormicks-creek-coming-back-from-tragedy 66e8ca207c942966761c9ec2 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 mccormicks-creek-coming-back-from-tragedy full 1 5 Indiana’s first state park set the bar for all the rest. In this episode, I get into all the awesome park features like the Canyon Inn, trails, the legend of Wolf Cave, Stone Arch Bridge, and the waterfall. I also share about finding the place where my grandparents took a picture on a date in 1952! (Check out the Instagram page to see me in the same spot.)


But you’ll also hear about the impact of the devastating tornado that hit the park on March 31, 2023. The park is open and so are most of the trails, but the campground was destroyed and the rebuilding will take time. You can read up-to-date status reports here and view drone footage from after the tornado. McCormick’s Creek is a lesson in resilience, strength, and hope. To connect more with the park, you can also join the Friends group. After hiking, be sure to visit Jiffy Treet!


And thanks to the show’s first sponsor, Comfort Option – customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.


Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Indiana’s first state park set the bar for all the rest. In this episode, I get into all the awesome park features like the Canyon Inn, trails, the legend of Wolf Cave, Stone Arch Bridge, and the waterfall. I also share about finding the place where my grandparents took a picture on a date in 1952! (Check out the Instagram page to see me in the same spot.)


But you’ll also hear about the impact of the devastating tornado that hit the park on March 31, 2023. The park is open and so are most of the trails, but the campground was destroyed and the rebuilding will take time. You can read up-to-date status reports here and view drone footage from after the tornado. McCormick’s Creek is a lesson in resilience, strength, and hope. To connect more with the park, you can also join the Friends group. After hiking, be sure to visit Jiffy Treet!


And thanks to the show’s first sponsor, Comfort Option – customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.


Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Side Trail: The Museum of 20th Century Warfare at Fort Harrison State Park Side Trail: The Museum of 20th Century Warfare at Fort Harrison State Park Tue, 10 Sep 2024 05:00:00 GMT 13:50 66df94b98050843a9360aba5 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/mini-episode-the-museum-of-20th-century-warfare-at-fort-harr 66df94b98050843a9360aba5 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 mini-episode-the-museum-of-20th-century-warfare-at-fort-harr full 1 4 Bonus Mini-Episode Alert! In this side trail, I dive a little deeper into the M20CW with museum president Christopher Schneider. We get into WWI and pickelhelms, Chris shares about why you might need math in life, about the WWII German Panther tank turret in the museum, and much more. We finish up in the chapel and learn about the ultimate sacrifice of 4 chaplains in 1943. You can learn more about them here. Be sure you follow the museum online and give them a visit when you’re at Fort Harrison!


Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Bonus Mini-Episode Alert! In this side trail, I dive a little deeper into the M20CW with museum president Christopher Schneider. We get into WWI and pickelhelms, Chris shares about why you might need math in life, about the WWII German Panther tank turret in the museum, and much more. We finish up in the chapel and learn about the ultimate sacrifice of 4 chaplains in 1943. You can learn more about them here. Be sure you follow the museum online and give them a visit when you’re at Fort Harrison!


Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Fort Harrison State Park: Creating Community for Everyone Fort Harrison State Park: Creating Community for Everyone Tue, 03 Sep 2024 07:00:01 GMT 25:53 66d61d8548e26d78818dbb56 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/for-harrison-state-park-creating-community-for-everyone 66d61d8548e26d78818dbb56 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 for-harrison-state-park-creating-community-for-everyone full 1 3 The Fort Benjamin Harrison historic district is a familiar area in Indianapolis, but have you spent time in the Fort Harrison State Park? It has something for everyone! In this episode, I cover the reasons why animal lovers, outdoor sports enthusiasts, and people interested in the military should visit Fort Harrison. And I didn’t even have time to get into trail running, birding, and hiking! It’s a park that is easy to visit multiple times!


Check out Friends of Fort Harrison State Park. Take a ride with Hoosier Mountain Biking Association or at the horse barn. Learn from the Museum of 20th Century Warfare. Then enjoy ice cream at Moo & Lou Frozen Treats.


Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Fort Benjamin Harrison historic district is a familiar area in Indianapolis, but have you spent time in the Fort Harrison State Park? It has something for everyone! In this episode, I cover the reasons why animal lovers, outdoor sports enthusiasts, and people interested in the military should visit Fort Harrison. And I didn’t even have time to get into trail running, birding, and hiking! It’s a park that is easy to visit multiple times!


Check out Friends of Fort Harrison State Park. Take a ride with Hoosier Mountain Biking Association or at the horse barn. Learn from the Museum of 20th Century Warfare. Then enjoy ice cream at Moo & Lou Frozen Treats.


Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ouabache State Park: How to Build a Legacy Ouabache State Park: How to Build a Legacy Tue, 03 Sep 2024 06:00:18 GMT 31:53 66d61ce1a7a4982508b6ec94 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/ouabache-state-park-how-to-build-a-legacy 66d61ce1a7a4982508b6ec94 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 ouabache-state-park-how-to-build-a-legacy full 1 2 Ouabache was a new park for me, but I fell in love right away! This episode covers all the park’s best features like the bison and the fire tower. But I start out by making sure I know how to pronounce the park’s name! Ouabache is a living “how-to” in developing a legacy. I go back in time to learn about Virgil Simmons and Kenneth Kunkle who had a vision for the property and the Civilian Conservation Corps who built it into a reality. Then we learn about all things bison! We’ll also discover the connection between the fire tower and Friends volunteer group before finishing up with some of the park’s fun programs. 


Check out Friends of Ouabache State Park and be sure to look at their beautiful magazine. Enjoy ice cream from Toppings or hit up Bummies drive-in for a root beer float!


Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Ouabache was a new park for me, but I fell in love right away! This episode covers all the park’s best features like the bison and the fire tower. But I start out by making sure I know how to pronounce the park’s name! Ouabache is a living “how-to” in developing a legacy. I go back in time to learn about Virgil Simmons and Kenneth Kunkle who had a vision for the property and the Civilian Conservation Corps who built it into a reality. Then we learn about all things bison! We’ll also discover the connection between the fire tower and Friends volunteer group before finishing up with some of the park’s fun programs. 


Check out Friends of Ouabache State Park and be sure to look at their beautiful magazine. Enjoy ice cream from Toppings or hit up Bummies drive-in for a root beer float!


Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Mounds State Park: Making Connections in the Park Mounds State Park: Making Connections in the Park Tue, 03 Sep 2024 05:00:51 GMT 28:31 66d61ac7cb749788610acc6b false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/mounds-state-park-making-connections-in-the-park 66d61ac7cb749788610acc6b 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 mounds-state-park-making-connections-in-the-park full 1 1 Our first episode starts at Mounds State Park and connects the Bronnenberg family to the Native American mounds on the park property. You may be surprised to learn there are supernatural connections all around at Mounds! You’ll also hear about plans for the property, get introduced to the Friends of Mounds volunteer group and hear about their Christmas lights event, and learn about a roller coaster that used to be here!


Check out Friends of Mounds State Park. Take a virtual ride on Leap the Dips in Altoona, PA. Enjoy ice cream at Frazier’s Dairy Maid in Anderson


Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Our first episode starts at Mounds State Park and connects the Bronnenberg family to the Native American mounds on the park property. You may be surprised to learn there are supernatural connections all around at Mounds! You’ll also hear about plans for the property, get introduced to the Friends of Mounds volunteer group and hear about their Christmas lights event, and learn about a roller coaster that used to be here!


Check out Friends of Mounds State Park. Take a virtual ride on Leap the Dips in Altoona, PA. Enjoy ice cream at Frazier’s Dairy Maid in Anderson


Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Introducing IN the Parks! Introducing IN the Parks! Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:36:07 GMT 7:42 66a7b6e866e879d7b694cbf9 false https://shows.acast.com/in-the-parks/episodes/introducing-in-the-parks 66a7b6e866e879d7b694cbf9 6671f1af94bae93358ff7358 introducing-in-the-parks IN the Parks, an Indiana state parks podcast full 1 Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to follow and share with a friend. See you IN the Parks!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to follow and share with a friend. See you IN the Parks!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>