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

Amazing Video of a Flying Eagles Point of View

Check out this amazing video of an Eagle with a GoPro Camera attached to it. If this isn't the coolest thing you've seen all day, then I don't know what to tell ya.

P.S. Does any one have the sudden urge to fly??

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

Believe in Belize

Belize is a beautiful but often overlooked country in Central America. It has so much to offer. If you love the water, Belize is the place to visit. If you love the jungle, Belize is the place for you. There is something for everyone in Belize.

If you want to experience Belize in the raw, then you need to book your stay at Lower Dover Jungle Lodge. Lower Dover is located in the Cayo district and as the website says, it is "the perfect getaway for adventure travelers wanting to experience the vanishing natural world".

Cabanas in Lower Dover 

Lower Dover offers many options for rooms. They range from a romantic honeymoon cabana, private cabanas to a bunkhouse. You can find out more about the type of rooms and their rates here.  The bunkhouse at this site is a great deal for its location. The bunkhouse has a hostel vibe too it and it is only $15 for a bed. 

Interior of the Bunkhouse

You don't even have to go far to have fun because there is so much to do and see when you enter Lower Dover. Activities range from bird watching, nature trails, swimming in the near-by creek and star gazing at the beautiful night sky.  If you want to dishes out some money, Lower Dover offers many tours to Mayan Ruins, Cave Canoeing, and zip lining. 

Lower Dover also offers a Mountain Pine Ridge tour that is truly worth the $75. The tour takes you through Mayan villages, to the Rio Frio Cave, Rio On pools and the amazing 80 ft Big Rock Waterfall. More info on the Mountain Pine Ridge tour can be found here. 

Big Rock Water Fall

If you plan a trip to Belize do yourself a favor and book a stay at Lower Dover Jungle Lodge, you won't be disappointed.