50 State Challenge - Louisiana

This weeks 50 state challenge is Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. Kisatchie National Forest has more than 604,000 acres and it is spread across seven parishes in Louisiana. The forest is divided into five managed units called Ranger Districts: Calcasieu, Caney, Catahoula, Kisatchie and Winn.

CALCASIEU DISTRICT:

• Southernmost district
• Features Valentine Lake and Fullerton Lake.
• The Wild Azalea National Recreation Trail, Ouiski Chito Creek Trail, and the Indian Ridge Trail are just some of the trails found in this district.
• The remains of Camp Claiborne can be found here.

CANEY DISTRICT:

• Located northeast of Shreveport.
• Great place for boating in the many lakes. 

CATAHOULA RANGER DISTRICT:

• Great area for hiking and biking.
• Remains of Camp Livingston can be found here.
• There is a hummingbird and butterfly garden.

KISATCHIE RANGER DISTRICT:

• Longleaf Trail National Byway.
• Several horse trails.
• Sandstone Bluffs can be found here.

WINN RANGER DISTRACT:

• Popular spot for hunting.
• Cloud Crossing Recreation Complex is an ideal spot for canoeing and boating.

What's so special about Kisatchie National Forest? Well, for starters it is protects a wide array of plant species including carnivorous plants and wild orchids like the Pink Pogonia Orchid. It also protects rare animals like the Louisiana Pine Snake, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, the Louisiana Black Bear and the Louisiana Pearlshell Mussel.

Some Things To Do:

• Bicycling - There are several different trails for mountain biking and for road cycling. More info HERE
• Canoeing 
• Fishing - There are over 10 lakes and ponds to fish in. More info HERE 
• Birdwatching
• Hiking - Over 100 miles of trails Info on trails HERE
• Horse back riding
• Hunting - The forest allows big game and small game hunting. More info HERE
• Camping

50 State Challenge - IDAHO

Idaho may not come to mind as an ideal spot to spend a vacation there. However, Idaho has some amazing natural oddities that you can't find anywhere else. For example, who knew that Idaho had an ancient lava field?

The Craters of the Moon National Park in Idaho is truly one of a kind. Craters of the Moon is in south-central Idaho, half way between Boise and Yellowstone National Park. Craters of the Moon is one of the largest lava fields in the United States. There are 60 visible lava flows here and the oldest was formed 15,000 years ago.

One of the many lava fields at the park

The park is open all year round, but the winter snow may prevent cars from accessing some of the park. The visitor center is also open year round from 8 am to 4:30 pm.  The entrance fee is only $8 per vehicle and those entering the park by bike, motorcycle or foot only have to pay $4 per person. People under the age of 15 are free to enter and during the winter when the park roads are close there is no fee.

Day trips are very common here, but a lot of people love to stay the night as well. There is a campground that is open from May through November and has 51 sites available. There are no reservations at this campground as it is a first come first served basis. During the summer months its only $10 per site and $6 for non summer months. Water, restrooms, charcoal grills and picnic tables are also available at the campsite.

Besides enjoying the scenery, Craters of the Moon National Park has several outdoor activities to enjoy. Hiking is probably the most popular activity to do. For a list of hiking trail, you can check them out here.  Another popular activity here is exploring the vast cave system and lava tubes. For more information on cave exploration click here 

Craters of the Moon 

P.O. Box 29

Arco, ID 83213

Visitor Info - 208-527-1335

The Petrified Forest of Arizona

The Painted Desert

Arizona is a state who's rough landscape makes for some of the most beautiful places in the Southwest. By the four corners of the state lies the Petrified Forest National Park. In the northern part of the park is the breath taking Painted Desert.

The Painted Desert region is in the Navajo Nation and they have lived here for almost 1,000 years. Most of the desert is accessible only by foot or off road vehicles. A permit is required for all back road travel in the Navajo Nation, so make sure you get one. As you can tell the Painted Desert emits beautiful colors and watching a sunset/sunrise will be one of the most unforgettable experiences in your life. 

Petrified Wood found at the park

The Painted Desert is not the only attraction in the park. The forest is know for its fossils and for the many fallen trees (Petrified Wood) that lived 225 million years ago. This is heaven for Paleontologist because they have been unearthing and studying the park's fossils since the 20th century. When you are hiking and/or backpacking through the park you may even come across an archeological dig. Evidence from the digs suggest that the earliest humans in the park arrived about 8,000 years ago. 

Petroglyphs at the park

Also scattered within the park are petroglyphs. These petroglyphs are believed to be between 500 and 2,000 years. You can make a fun game out of trying to find the most petroglyphs out of your friends. You'll be surprised how many there are. Along with the ancient petroglyphs are the ruins of pueblos that were built sometime in 1380 CE. 

When you are visiting this park you will be tempted to take home a piece of history but please refrain from stealing the petrified wood. There are gift shops in the park were you can buy petrified wood if you really want to get some. 

For Park Hours click here and for more info about the park click here 

Fees & Reservation info click here

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A 550 Million Year Old Bridge in Massachusetts

Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams, Massachusetts

Don't worry you don't need glasses. A 550 million year old bridge does exist in the state of Massachusetts. The bridge can be found in Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams, Massachusetts. As you may have guessed, this bridge is not man made but it is an extremely rare bridge in North Adams.  The bridge is the only natural white marble bridge in North America. According to Geologist, the natural bridge is 550 million year old bedrock marble that was carved into an arch/bridge by glacial melt water about 13,000 years ago. 

Natural Bridge

The park is open from 9 am to 5 pm throughout the summer and early fall. Parking is extremely cheap at only $2. The park itself is pretty small and you'll probably spend just over an hour there. There is a 1/4 mile walkway above and through the chasm and a 1/2 mile wooded walking trail. The trails are easy and most people bring their dogs to go sightseeing with them. 

For more info about Natural Bridge State Park Click Here

An Unlikely Place for Redwoods

When you think of Redwoods trees, I bet you automatically think of California. I bet if I told you there is a Redwood forest in Maui, you would tell me to stop smoking all that Maui Wowie.

Now, I've been to Maui a number of times it was only on my last day in Maui in August of 2012 that I found out about the Redwood forest. I didn't have enough time to go, but the next time I'm in Maui it will be one of my first stops.

I've heard that the trails are almost never packed here, so you essentially have the forest to yourself. This is not a tourist destination but a local destination. If you choose to visit, make sure you have a 4x4 vehicle because the roads can easily become impassible. Remember you will be ascending so the temperature will be significantly cooler than it is at the coast, so make sure to bring a sweatshirt.

I don't have much personal information about this place and all I can tell you is what I've been told. I'm simply writing this post because I don't want any one to miss out on Redwood forest like I did.

For information about Maui's Redwood forest, click here

The Redwood forest is often covered in fog giving it a mystical appearance. 

Trail Map of Poli Poli State Park


MAHALO!

The magic of Iao Valley

The Needle from the ridge top lookout

If you ever find yourself in Maui, then you have to visit Iao Valley. My first time visiting this place was in August 2012 and I can't wait to go back. There is something magical about this place. You feel a sense of calmness and peacefulness when you walk through here, even thought it is the sight of one of Hawaii's deadliest battle.

The Iao Stream. Locals often swim here

Iao Valley is rich in history. In 1790 it was at the Battle of Kepaniwai that King Kamenhameha I clashed with Maui's army in his attempt to unify the islands. Kamenhameha ultimately defeated Maui's army in bloody battle and thus changing the course of Hawaiian history. 

Paved pathway through the valley. 

Iao Valley State Park is an excellent CHEAP way to explore the island. Parking is only $5 and once you park you are free to walk around at your own pace. Paved pathways take you along streams, through botanical gardens and at times it seems like it is taking you through a lost world. At any minute I was expecting a T-Rex to jump out from the trees.

Took an unpaved path to get a closer look at the stream

I noticed that there are also unpaved trails that require more of a strenuous hike. I ventured down an unpaved trail to get closer to the stream, but because I was by myself I didn't go to far. The unpaved trails go through thick rainforest jungle and one can easily loose there way here, so be careful.

The Needle at Iao Valley

The Needle is the main attraction here. There is a path with many stairs to take you to a lookout right next to the Needle. If you are up for climbing up several stairs then this lookout is definitely worth the trip. Since you are in the mountains it does get a little chilly up there. I would bring a sweatshirt or a rain jacket because you never know when it might rain. I went in the afternoon and a large cloud hung over head the whole time. After returning home from the trip I was told by a local that the morning is the best time to visit the park because of less cloud coverage.

View from The Needle lookout

Click here for more info about Iao Valley State Park