UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM NETWORK Our 68th Park in our 26th State

The Underground Railroad refers to the effort of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bondage.

Wherever slavery existed, there were efforts to escape, at first to maroon communities in remote or rugged terrain on the edge of settled areas. Their acts of self-emancipation made them "fugitives" according to the laws of the times, though in retropsect "freedom seeker" seems a more accurate description. While most freedom seekers began their journey unaided and many completed their self-emancipation without assistance, each decade in which slavery was legal in the United States saw an increase in active efforts to assist escape.

FORT DONELSON NB Our 66th Park in our 26th State

"Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in Capitals on the maps of our United Country..."

Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North, and stunned the South. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union.

DOVER HOTEL Our 67 Park in our 26th State

Built between 1851 and 1853, the Dover Hotel accommodated riverboat travelers before and after the Civil War. General Buckner and his staff used the hotel as their headquarters during the battle. It also served as a Union hospital after the surrender. After Buckner accepted Grant's surrender terms, the two generals met here to work out the details.

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY Our 65 Park in our 25th State

Experiencing "America's Favorite Drive"

A Blue Ridge Parkway experience is unlike any other, a slow-paced and relaxing drive revealing stunning long-range vistas and close-up views of the rugged mountains and pastoral landscapes of the Appalachian Highlands. Protecting a diversity of plants and animals, the Parkway meanders for 469 miles, providing opportunities for enjoying all that makes this region of the country so special.

OVERMOUNTAIN VICTORY Our 64th Park in our 26th State

NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL

The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail 

involves communities in four states that lie along a 

corridor of 330 miles. The Trail includes both 

walkable sections and a commemorative motor 

route. Along the way are visitor centers, museums, 

historical markers, state and national historical 

parks, graveyards, monuments and geographic 

landforms. They all help tell the story of an event 

critically important to the success of the American 

Revolution.

COWPENS NB -- Our 63rd Park in 26th State

The Only Double Envelopment in the American Revolution

“…our success was complete…”
  -- Daniel Morgan to Nathanael Greene, January 19, 1781

A pasturing area at the time of the battle, this Revolutionary War site commemorates the place where Daniel Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Banastre Tarleton's British army. This classic military tactic, known as a double envelopment, was one of only a few in history.

This is a beautiful area, but not a lot to see.

 You can learn everything you want to learn about the battle in the text books or online.

Gaffney, SC

CARL SANDBURG HOME OUR 25 STATE!! AND OUR 62 PARK!!

WITH THIS PARK WE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED OUR IRON BUTT CHALLENGE OF VISITING 50 PARKS IN 25 STATES IN ONE YEAR!!  WE VISITED OUR FIRST PARK, LINCOLN'S HOME IN SPRINGFIELD, IL ON JULY 3, 2012 AND FINISH WITH CARL SANDBURG'S HOME, JULY 2, 2013.

This has been a most rewarding adventure and one we will continue on with.  We are so lucky that someone had the foresight to preserve so many things for all of us to enjoy.

A Poet of the People

Carl Sandburg provided a popular voice for the American people of the twentieth century and still speaks to us through his words, songs and the beauty and serenity of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site.

He and his wife moved here from Michigan because of the cold winters in Michigan

 My wife loves to read and this was one of her favorite parks.

When Carl Sandburg died his wife turned everything, as is, over to the preservationists.

 In one room there is even a cigar butt in the ashtray

Notice the container of goats milk on the table

 Lilian, his wife made history with the breeding of goats.  Mr Sandburg wanted everyone to acknowledge her as will as him.

 As with so many parks we have dedicated volunteers that are anxious to share their knowledge of  their park.

CARL SANDBURG HOME, FLAT ROCK, NC.

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS Our 61st Park in our 24th State

A Wondrous Diversity of Life

Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's most visited national park.

 The Cherokee described these mountains as "shaconage" meaning "blue, like smoke."

No place this size in temperate climate can match the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's variety of plant and animal species.  Here are more tree species than in northern Europe, 1,500 flowering plants, dozens of native fish, and over 200 species of birds and 60 mammals.

MAMMOTH CAVE OUR 60TH PARK IN OUR 24TH STATE

The longest cave system know in the world!

Mammoth Cave, KY

It looks like the government has tried to buy all the land above the caves and this makes for some beautiful riding, driving, hiking and camping.

They have mapped 400 miles of caves and they are still mapping and caves are still forming!!

If you like caves, this is one of the best!!  Enjoy