Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Spring Break Getaway to Kentucky, March 2024 

After 2 years without a big camping trip, Doug and I were ready to go.  We packed up the new Jayco Camper, with its perfect layout for empty-nesters, and took it for a test run to visit Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky.   

We picked up a couple other units of the National Park System along the way, which made our National Park totals 122 Units and 34 National Parks.  

Camp Nelson National Monument, KY 

The US Army established Camp Nelson as a supply depot, recruitment center, refugee camp, and Army hospital during the Civil War.  We made a quick stop for a walk around the property and trip to the visitor center.  The dogs, Loki and Bucky, really enjoyed their trip through the park.  This unit also participates in the B.A.R.K. Ranger program.  

 

Mammoth Cave National Park 

Mammoth Cave National Park (1941), a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1981) and International Biosphere Reserve (1990).  

There are over 400 miles of caves that have been explored in the park, which makes it the world's longest cave system.  Park visitors need to take a ranger lead tour to visit the caves.  We chose the Historic tour, which lasted about 2 hours, had open cave rooms, tight spaces, and lots of stairs.  We really enjoyed hearing the history of the caves as it played a role in the war of 1812.  There was a lucrative calcium nitrate mining operation in the caves, which is an ingredient needed to make gun powder.  

 

 

 

Mammoth Cave also offers some really beautiful walking trails that we took advantage of as well.  Loki and Bucky were excited to visit the park!  Not all national parks allow dogs on trails, so this was a rare treat for them.  

The Green River 

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park 

Abraham Lincoln was born to Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln on February 12, 1809, in the family cabin on Sinking Spring Farm in rural Kentucky.  

Today, you can visit this 115 acre unit, which is a portion of the original 348 acre farm. 

Sinking Spring

Replica of the cabin Abraham Lincoln was born in. 
This monument is also on the location it is believed his home stood. 

Heading home... 

We had a successful first trip in the new camper!  We feel ready to head out on adventures with it this summer.  

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks- July 2022

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks 

After four days in Yosemite, another 3 hour drive led us to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.  These two parks are connected.   We stayed at the John Muir Lodge in Grant Grove Village.  This 36 room Lodge is very rustic with no air conditioning, although the heat wasn't as uncomfortable as we expected.  

Kings Canyon National Park 

Grant Grove 

Just a short distance from the lodge is The General Grant Tree found in Grant Grove, and our first experience seeing Sequoia trees.  These trees are GIANTS compared to the deciduous trees of Pennsylvania. 

 

 

The General Grant tree is the second largest tree in the world, 270 feet tall and 107 feet across at its base.   

It is also thought to be between 1,650 and 2,000 years old. 

 

Big Stump Trail 

Big Stump of the Mark Twain Tree. In 1891, the 16 feet diameter tree was cut down in 1861, then taken to places like New York and London because people did not believe trees could grow that big.  This tree was 1,350 years old when it was cut down. 

Day two of our visit we had to drive out of the Grant Grove region of Kinds Canyon NP, through wilderness area and back into the North Side of Kings Canyon NP.  

Grizzly Falls 

 

Roaring River Falls

 

Zumwalt Meadow 

Muir Rock 

Brodey never shies away from an adventure, which in this class including jumping off Muir Rock! 

Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park suffered from the fires in 2021, which closed Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.  The aftermath can be seen on the drive into the park, although there were plenty of signs of secondary succession. 

Right after entering the park Doug spotted a black bear (yes, black bear can be brown, blond, red, or black.)  These photos were taken with my telephoto lens.  

Giant Forest Sequoia Grove 

First stop is one of the most popular areas in the park, the Sherman Tree Trail.  This paved path takes you through Giant Forest Sequoia Grove and past The General Sherman Tree.  Expect to wait in line to take your turn for pictures with this 2,200 year old tree.  It isn't the largest Sequoia Tree but it is still growing!  

 

Big Trees Trail 

  

 

Sunset Rock 

Tunnel Log 

We left the sanctuary of the trees and drove back the next day to San Francisco for our return flight home.  This was a quick, but fantastic trip!  See you again someday, California!