Answers to Your Questions

I'd like to thank my readers for sending so many great comments and important questions. One of the biggest questions has been, "Where is the camping checklist?" My answer is, "It's coming soon!"

I'd like to find out what YOU think is the most "can't go without it" checklist item for camping. Please send in your ideas, and I'll post them to share with our fellow outdoor enthusiasts.

Until then, get outside (yes - even in the cold!), be safe, and take in the beauty of nature.

Day Hikes for Fall

The leaves are falling and thoughts of winterizing my rv come to mind. There's probably time for one last weekend getaway to one of our nearby State Parks or Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds - but this year, I'm thinking about some very spur-of-the-moment, no-fuss local hikes. Being a mom of two young girls, I am apt to keep an emergency kit, paper towels, bug spray, sunscreen, and drinking water in my car. Doing so makes it easy to jump in and ride away to a nearby trail or park. If you're getting the fever for a stroll through nature, make sure you carry a small pack with these items. Some granola bars or trail mix add an element of fun for the little ones, even if you're only out for an hour. Pick a spot where you can find things for your children to observe and collect, like leaves, pinecones, insects, small critters or rocks (our family has an 'observation only' rule where critters are concerned - and don't forget handwashing). You don't have to go deep in the woods to find a great place to hike - try a local park or nature center. If you have toddlers or younger children, don't go out too far unless you want to carry them back to the car. Kids don't need a hard-core hike through Yosemite, just some time in nature to observe and explore.

Versailles State Park

One of my favorite ways to spend time with my family is camping.  Several times a year, we load up and travel to a new adventure.   One of our favorite places has been Versailles State Park in Indiana (pronounced /VER - SAILS/, not /VER - SIGH/.  This park is located along Versailles Lake, at the southeastern corner of Indiana among beautiful, rolling hills.  There is an abundance of activities including fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, swimming (at the public pool), and canoeing. 

We spent a large amount of time hiking the hilly trails and wading in Laughry Creek.  We found several marine invertebrate fossils and other fascinating rocks from the Ordovician (500 million years ago) and Silurian (450 million years ago).  We were lucky enough to help the interpretive center by supplying their exhibits with fossils and some live critters caught by my children (toads, snakes, clams, and turtles).  We also spent some time canoeing on the 230-acre lake, fishing, taking pony rides, and just hanging out at the campground.  The campground itself was nice and family-friendly.  There were several playgrounds, trails, and clean restrooms. 

I would highly recommend this park as a great place to take your family for an adventure.   Indiana State Parks are nice, in general - but this one's a gem.  Camping is a great way to connect with your family in these busy times, so gear up, take a hike, and see what nature has to offer.