Exploring Shawnee National Forest, Illinois Garden of the Gods + Earn a Junior Forest Ranger badge

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    Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods - Christie Dedman
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    Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods - Christie Dedman
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    Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods - Christie Dedman
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    Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods - Christie Dedman
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    Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods - Christie Dedman
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    Shawnee National Forest Garden of the Gods - Christie Dedman
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    Shawnee National Forest - Christie Dedman

If you’re ever in Southern Illinois you must make a stop in Shawnee National Forest to hike. When you think of Illinois you might only think of the main attractions in the northern area...

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Mammoth Cave National Park tips + Earn a Junior Ranger badge

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    Mammoth Cave Historic Entrance - Christie Dedman
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    Mammoth Cave Historic Entrance - Christie Dedman
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    Mammoth Cave - Christie Dedman
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    Mammoth Cave Historic Entrance - Christie Dedman

Have you been to Mammoth Cave National Park? We did a return visit last week and explored some new areas. About 7 years ago we toured the Niagara Falls cave entrance.  On this visit...

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Tips for visiting Kentucky Down Under Adventure Zoo & How to save on admission

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    Kentucky Down Under Horse Cave, Kentucky - Christie Dedman
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    Kentucky Down Under Horse Cave, Kentucky - Christie Dedman
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    Kentucky Down Under Horse Cave, Kentucky - Christie Dedman
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    Kentucky Down Under Horse Cave, Kentucky - Christie Dedman
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    Kentucky Down Under Horse Cave, Kentucky - Christie Dedman
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Have you ever pet or fed a kangaroo? If not then consider making your way to Horse Cave, KY off I-65 for Kentucky Down Under. This hands-on zoo is one-of-a-kind. We’ve been to numerous...

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South Carolina: Exploring John’s Island’s 500 year old Angel Oak Tree, Free admission

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    Angel Oak Tree John's Island South Carolina - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Angel Oak Tree John's Island South Carolina - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Angel Oak Tree John's Island South Carolina - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Angel Oak Tree John's Island South Carolina - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Angel Oak Tree John's Island South Carolina - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Angel Oak Tree John's Island South Carolina - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Angel Oak Tree John's Island South Carolina - Photo by Christie Dedman

If you’re in Charleston, South Carolina you will be enamored with the ocean, marshes,  ships, history,  architecture and attractions. But there is one massive living organism that has silently grown in the background watching...

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Tips for visiting Congaree National Park with kids + Don’t miss the Junior Ranger Badge

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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Congaree National Park - Photo by Christie Dedman

Congaree National Park just south of Columbia, South Carolina is worth a detour off I-20 if you’re ever in the area. Dedicated National Park enthusiast know this is South Carolina’s only National Park. It’s...

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Charleston, South Carolina: Earn 3 National Park Junior Ranger badges in 1 day, full itinerary

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    Photo by Christie Dedman
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    The home on Snee Farm is a recreation of Charles Pinckney's estate. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Inside the Charles Pinckney museum. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Working on Junior Ranger booklets at Charles Pinckney National Historic Site. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Walking through the Charles Pinckney site. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Camelia bushes at Charles Pinckney's site. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Driving across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. bridge in Charleston, South Carolina. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Overlooking Charleston Harbor from Fort Moultrie. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Inside Fort Sumter National Monument. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Looking down cannon row inside Fort Sumter. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Walking out to the parade ground at Fort Sumter National Monument. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    The actual Union flag that flew over Fort Sumter during the first battle of the Civil War. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Looking back through the Sally Port at Fort Sumter. Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Approaching Fort Sumter Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Looking back at Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    The USS Yorktown Photo by Christie Dedman
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    The USS Yorktown Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Badges the kids earned during our one day tour of Charleston, SC. Photo by Christie Dedman

Charleston, South Carolina is a mecca of sorts for Civil War history buffs.  American history fans would argue it’s not just for the Civil War students, but it’s a city rich in history of...

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Tips for Hiking Foster Falls at South Cumberland State Park, Tennessee

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    Foster Falls Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Foster Falls Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Foster Falls Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Foster Falls Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Foster Falls Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Foster Falls Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Foster Falls locator park map courtesy of Tennessee State Parks

During the fall we chased colorful leaves and flowing waterfalls one weekend in South Cumberland State Park in Tennessee. We hiked down to the bottom of Foster Falls. A challenging, slippery and fun hike...

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Hiking Tennessee State Parks Great Stone Door, Greeter Falls & Laurel Falls with children

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    Greeter Falls, Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Great Stone Door, Tennessee - Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Greeter Falls Trail, Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Greeter Falls, Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Laurel Falls, Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Laurel Falls, Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman
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    Laurel Falls, Tennessee Photo by Christie Dedman

There’s a section of the Savage Gulf Natural Area in Tennessee that is packed with enough hiking to satisfy anyone’s need for woodland therapy.  From steep trails, rocky cliffs to incredible views and flowing...

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