IN the Parks

It’s my birthday AND the podcast’s one year anniversary! So today’s episode is a little different. My friends Halle and Kelcy are hosts of the travel podcast Love It There, and today they are interviewing ME about myself, the podcast, and the parks. Hope you enjoy this conversational episode and get to know me a little better!

Plus, I'm excited that you'll now be able to find IN the Parks content on the website Get Indiana. From Small Town Breakdowns to Hidden Gems to podcast interviews with local business leaders and thinkers, I know you'll appreciate our state even more! You can check out my IN the Parks posts too!

Here are some of the Love It There episodes we reference in this episode:

• me talking about my trip to Berlin, Germany
• Backpacking Africa from Capetown to Cairo
• Ossian, Indiana

If you’ve traveled somewhere fun that you want to share about, reach out to Kelcy and Halle on Instagram.

Any mistakes are my own.

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It's Brookville Lake's 50th anniversary! So grab some cake and ice cream, put on your party hat, and learn how this reservoir has been thriving for half a century. We'll cover the past (fossils and mounds), the present (bluebirds, sandhill cranes, camping, hunting, boating, walleye, hiking, and mountain biking), and discuss the future plans to keep the park a wonderful place!

If you want to learn more about bluebirds or make your own bluebird box, the North American Bluebird Society has a TON of resources. You can also find a bluebird box blueprint through Cornell’s website which also has recommendations for the pole’s height, spacing, sizing, and more.

To learn more about the mountain bike trails, join group rides, or help with trail maintenance, check out the Brookville Lake Trail Group on Facebook. 

If you want to hear what sandhill cranes sound like, listen here so you can spot them when they migrate. 

To learn more about the Glidewell Mound, look at Ball State University's report. You will need to request access to view it, or reach out to me via social media and I'll make sure you get a copy.

Any mistakes are my own.

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Time to go back to Peru, Indiana, to visit another beautiful reservoir property at Mississinewa Lake! There is so much to do here from camping, fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, and so much more. Plus, the Native American history here is information every Hoosier should learn about.

If you’re interested in seasonal camping, be sure to enter the lottery when it opens. My boating fans will definitely want to learn more from Red Bridge Marina. 

To find out about all the Friends of Mississinewa Lake events, including the fireworks show, visit their Facebook page.

If you want to learn about the Miami history in Indiana you can do that here and find out about the Miami Days at the Seven Pillars.

I found the definitions of preservation and conservation, along with some basic history about them, on the National Park Service website.

Any mistakes are my own.

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Potato Creek State Park has been many things to many people for hundreds of years, and there is so much to discover here! You’ll learn about how bugs helped this park come to life, hear stories of an integrated community pre-Civil War, and find out about the diverse activities and events the park offers. You'll also get the latest info on the inn being built in the park. All of these experiences define the creek and show the immense power of what a place means to us.

Be sure to check out NIMBA (Northern Indiana Mountain Biking Association) so you can learn about their membership, events, education opportunities, races, and trail maintenance days. Info specifically about Potato Creek is here and find them on social media @nimbamtb

Also look for ways to join or support the Friends of Potato Creek. You’ll want to follow them on Facebook to stay updated on events like the summer concerts, Halloween weekend, and Easter egg hunt!

Any mistakes are my own.

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Cecil M Harden Lake aka Raccoon State Recreation Area aka the Mansfield Dam. They're all the same place, and the place is amazing! In this episode, we're learning some reservoir history and visiting the Mansfield roller mill while getting a little philosophical about change and opportunities. You'll also learn about the trails, fishing, water, and the beautiful campground! If you need to rent a boat, visit Raccoon Lake Boat Rental.

You'll also want to be part of the Smokey Bear Pedal Parade on August 9 for Smokey's 81st birthday!

Be sure to come back to Cecil M Harden Lake and camp at Raccoon SRA for the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival. You can hit up Mansfield and see the mill before visiting Rockville. They're both fun and will set you up for the perfect Indiana fall!

Any mistakes are my own.

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Keep enjoying that lake life and join me at Salamonie Lake! The park is big enough you’ll find there’s room for every personality, and I've come up with quite a few people who will love this place: Academic, Zoologist, Horse Lover, Trailhead, Happy Camper, Water Baby, Gardener, Hunter & Fisher, Frolfer, and Volunteer! Yup, you’re all welcome here.

At Salamonie, be sure to go to the Pirate’s Cove Marina for boat rentals, the annual t-shirt, and any camping needs.

And you should definitely visit the Friends of Upper Wabash Interpretive Services volunteer group and learn about their events and activities. Keep an eye on the Salamonie website for winter eagle watch dates.

Oh and you'll love Ronnie Hileman’s state parks song!

Any mistakes are my own.

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Come with me to beautiful Chain O' Lakes State Park in Albion, Indiana! This park is absolutely a small boater's paradise thanks to the 5 mile, 9 lake paddling challenge. But it's also a hiker's haven with almost 30 miles of trails and as home to Indiana's only 100 mile trail race, the Indiana Trail 100. I earned my 9 Lakes Challenge shirt, but still need to come back to hit the trails. The park offers activities for both kids and the endurance athlete. Plus, there's the Stanley School, a one room school house that was open until 1954!

Check out the map and photo spots for the 9 Lake Challenge so you can say “I paddled the chain!” Learn about the three events that are part of the Ignite Trail Series. And to find out about the preschool program, contact the park's interpretive naturalist, Carly Cornhill.

Any mistakes are my own.

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Come with me to Monroe Lake, home to state recreation areas like Paynetown, Fairfax, and many more! Indiana's largest lake has something for everyone -- boating, kayaking, camping, bird watching, hunting, private weekend getaways, and space for groups and families. With its proximity to Bloomington, this is the perfect place for people who want a mix of time in the city and nature. In this episode, learn about the lake's history, visit the dam, and discover the wide variety of activities that await at each recreation area!

Follow along on Facebook for all the incredible events at Monroe Lake. Look for information and pictures about osprey and bald eagles there too.

Keep up with all the events at Monroe Lake: Beginner Kayaking, Explore Monroe Paddling Trips, the history of the reservoir, and so much more! 

Be sure to check out Two Herons Marina and Fourwinds Lakeside Inn and Marina.

Any mistakes are my own.

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Cagles Mill Lake was Indiana's first reservoir property! Home to Lieber and Cataract Falls State Recreation Areas, this lake is the perfect place for extroverts and introverts. Lieber has lots to do: camping, a beach, pool, nature center, water activities, events, and more. Cataract Falls has Indiana's largest waterfall, a red covered bridge, and creek stomping. Both sites provide picnicking spots, hiking, and plenty of beauty! Whether you need social connections or time alone, Cagles Mill Lake has you covered!

Cell phone service is really spotty driving from one side of the lake to the other and if there's serious flooding in the area, the country backroads may be flooded, so be sure to grab a paper map from the park or check out these directions to get from Cataract to Lieber. There are two options highlighted.

Join the Friends of Lieber and keep up with their year-round events. Follow the Army Corps of Engineers Cagles Mill Lake Facebook page to see how high water levels are.

Any mistakes are my own.

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Summit Lake State Park is the perfect spot to kick off your lake life summer! The lake is where all the action is -- fishing, bird watching, swimming, and boating. But there are also several nice trails and tons of year-round activities for kids and families. Mark your calendar for the Youth Fishing Derby on June 7. Dates and information about Nature's Classroom are on the park's Facebook page. And their big fall events to keep in mind are Truck or Treat on Oct 11 and Spooktacular trick-or-treating in the campground on Oct 18.

The exact address for Hoosier Hill, the highest point in Indiana, is 11951 Elliott Rd, Lynn, IN 47355. I found very helpful directions to Hoosier Hill on this site. And that's where I discovered the tip about the nearby Coffin House.

To get to the bald eagle nest, go left out of the park on 600N. Take the first left on 500 E. You’ll drive between Summit Lake and a nature pond which was a cool little section. Then take a right on 750N. The eagle's nest is on the north side of the road, and there are several areas where you can pull onto the side of the road for viewing.

Any mistakes are my own.

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