We have moved on from Natchez Trace State Park to a private park just out side of Texarkana. It’s not much on the way if looks, and the road traffic is loud, but it did allow us to do our laundry, which had piled up over the week.
Not very scenic but clean clothes are a nice thing. Right?Another view Natchez Trace State Park
Can you tell that we really liked that park? OK just one more photo. I had a wonderful adventure finding this hidden lake. I just love my e-bike!
What a strange and beautiful lake!
Today we move onto Caddo Lake State Park, which is just across the Arkansas border into Texas. This is one of my favorites, so I am looking forward to some more great photo opportunities.
So far this has been a wonderful trip home. Full of nature showing off her beauty around every corner.
First we stayed at the Mammoth Cave National Park. We spent 3 nights there without electric or water, but we were self contained so we hardly even noticed.
There were a lot of really special bike rides and my e-bike just continues to amaze me.
Hills that would have been difficult or impossible are done with ease. The line to get out of Mammoth Cave was long.
Mammoth Cave was somewhat of a disappointment as it was a dry cave. No water and no stalagmites dripping water. And number two, even though the tour was over 2 miles and 540 stairs, there were few stops, so not too great for photography. more like a hike with some history.
One of my better shots of Mammoth Cave
The next park was Natchez Trace State Park in Tennessee. What a gem this place turned out to be.
The perfect campsite. A perfect picture!
At this point there is only one other camper in this 81 square mile park. We have one more night left and then it is on the next as we inch our way home.
It has been a wonderful return trip. Each day, we drive for about 2 to 3 hours and then spend 2 nights at our campsite. For us, that is rushing it, but we hope to make it home by thanksgiving?
I can resist showing just one more photo of this fabulous lighthouse.
Lighthouse at Presque Isle State Park
The fall foliage has followed us along most of our chosen route home. Here is just one example. Can you believe just how beautiful it is?
On our last stop to Big Bone Lick State Park in Union Kentucky I had hoped to photograph the small herd of bison , but one day it rained and the next there was a herd of kids, and the bison were right up against the metal mesh fence. I took a few shots anyway.
The bison were too close to the fence to get a great shot. I took one anyway. ☹️But with a little help from Photoshop it turned out ok! 😎
Our next stop was to be Otter Creek Outdoor Rec Area in Kentucky. Kim and I have been in too many dangerous places to count. Places that we just didn’t belong, but we went there anyway and always found a way to safely blend in. However, one look at this place and we decided to get the hell out of there. Each campsite had 5 to 10 cars parked around it, and there were people who just looked like they were up to no good.
We are now in a way too clean commercial campground, but tomorrow we will leave for the Mammoth Cave National Forest I can’t wait!
Today we wrap up our family visit to Kim’s family in Cleveland. We had a wonderful visit and their hospitality was in the true midwestern spirit.
Kim with her brother Kirk and his wife Sharon We had a lovely walk among the colorful autumn leavesSlurpy, Kim’s sister, who recently died of cancer, her dog now finds a warm loving home in Kirk.
Kim and I carried a portfolio full of our work. Her watercolors and my photos. It had been wonderful being able to share our work with new friends that we met in our travels, but now some of them find a new home.
Kirk’s son Will, and his wife Erin, pick out a few of Kim’s watercolors They then selected two of my photosKirk then selected one of my favorites Kirk’s other son Ben then selected one of his favorites.
After having spent just four days here, I can sum our visit up by saying that these are just very “nice” people.
So today we begin our long slow decent home to Pipe Creek Texas. I’ll let you know just how it goes.
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