Let's visit an Indiana State Parks fan favorite: Clifty Falls State Park! Clifty Falls is another beauty and is well-loved for its history, hiking, and waterfalls. Oh, and the bats! In this episode, you'll see what it means to be a good neighbor thanks to the actions of the city of Madison and the Friends of Clifty Falls volunteer group. From battling invasive plants to finding new ways to offer accessibility, Clifty Falls is supported by a variety of people who love it. And yes, we'll learn about an Indiana bat species too since they live in Brough's Tunnel in the park.

If you’d like to learn more about the Friends of Clifty Falls, including becoming a member or volunteering, visit their website or Facebook page. On the DNR website, you can also Report A Mammal to track park populations or use the Sick or Dead Wildlife Reporting site. (Please note, that is not for roadkill or animals hit by cars.)

This episode also covers Clifty Inn, chimney swifts (a kind of bird), and the CCC impact. Plus, save the dates for women's hiking events and the Vintage Camper Rally which happens yearly at the end of June!

If you’re hungry for some ice cream after your time at Clifty Falls, be sure to visit Chillbilly Treats. And thanks to our sponsor Comfort Option – customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.

Any mistakes are my own.

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Come back to Prophetstown State Park with me and enjoy time at The Farm, a non-profit in the park that tells the story of Indiana farm life in the 1920s. The Farm at Prophetstown is an ideal spot for a Third Place. Never heard of the term "Third Place" before? That’s okay; neither had I! So listen and learn along with me.

You’ll also hear about their farm-to-table dinners, all the animals, the farmhouse, tenant house, blacksmith shop, and windmill. Whether you’re interested in raising chickens, want to remember what your great-grandfather’s house was like, or want some outdoor fun, The Farm at Prophetstown is the place to be!

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Fall in love with the prairie, farms, and Indiana history at Prophetstown State Park. While most Indiana state parks have ravines, woods, and maybe even a waterfall, Prophetstown is all about the expansive prairie full of wildflowers, tall grasses, birds, rivers, and farms. This land has been loved and developed for thousands of years and been shaped by ice, water, fire, and human hands.

Be sure you also check out The Farm at Prophetstown. If you want to learn more about mussels and see the aquariums they cleaned, visit Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. To learn more about Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh, I recommend listening to a couple episodes of Talking Hoosier History by the Indiana Historical Bureau. There are two episodes: The Making of a Prophet and The Rise and Fall of a Nation.

If you’re hungry for some ice cream after your time at Prophetstown, be sure to visit The Igloo Frozen Custard. And thanks to our sponsor Comfort Option – customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.

Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

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In this “side trail” episode, we metaphorically take a hike down another path and go birding! My first time birdwatching was a blast, even though my ignorance was on full display. Thankfully, I had experts to guide me! I’m joined by special guests Rob Ripma of Sabrewing Nature Tours (check out his international tours), Whitney Yoerger from Indiana Audubon (becoming a member is affordable and supports Indiana conservation work), and my high school German teacher Judy Birkel who has been birding for years.

I cover so many awesome resources in this episode! Be sure you check out the Indiana Birding Trail, save the date for the Indiana Dunes Birding Festival, and get your city involved in Bird Town Indiana. The apps mentioned here include Merlin Bird ID and eBird. You can also learn about Project Owl-Net on the Indiana Audubon website.

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Indiana’s first state park set the bar for all the rest. In this episode, I get into all the awesome park features like the Canyon Inn, trails, the legend of Wolf Cave, Stone Arch Bridge, and the waterfall. I also share about finding the place where my grandparents took a picture on a date in 1952! (Check out the Instagram page to see me in the same spot.)

But you’ll also hear about the impact of the devastating tornado that hit the park on March 31, 2023. The park is open and so are most of the trails, but the campground was destroyed and the rebuilding will take time. You can read up-to-date status reports here and view drone footage from after the tornado. McCormick’s Creek is a lesson in resilience, strength, and hope. To connect more with the park, you can also join the Friends group. After hiking, be sure to visit Jiffy Treet!

And thanks to the show’s first sponsor, Comfort Option – customizable, rebuildable mattresses from our very own Hoosier state! Use code INtheParks to save 15%.

Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

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Bonus Mini-Episode Alert! In this side trail, I dive a little deeper into the M20CW with museum president Christopher Schneider. We get into WWI and pickelhelms, Chris shares about why you might need math in life, about the WWII German Panther tank turret in the museum, and much more. We finish up in the chapel and learn about the ultimate sacrifice of 4 chaplains in 1943. You can learn more about them here. Be sure you follow the museum online and give them a visit when you’re at Fort Harrison!

Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

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The Fort Benjamin Harrison historic district is a familiar area in Indianapolis, but have you spent time in the Fort Harrison State Park? It has something for everyone! In this episode, I cover the reasons why animal lovers, outdoor sports enthusiasts, and people interested in the military should visit Fort Harrison. And I didn’t even have time to get into trail running, birding, and hiking! It’s a park that is easy to visit multiple times!

Check out Friends of Fort Harrison State Park. Take a ride with Hoosier Mountain Biking Association or at the horse barn. Learn from the Museum of 20th Century Warfare. Then enjoy ice cream at Moo & Lou Frozen Treats.

Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

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Ouabache was a new park for me, but I fell in love right away! This episode covers all the park’s best features like the bison and the fire tower. But I start out by making sure I know how to pronounce the park’s name! Ouabache is a living “how-to” in developing a legacy. I go back in time to learn about Virgil Simmons and Kenneth Kunkle who had a vision for the property and the Civilian Conservation Corps who built it into a reality. Then we learn about all things bison! We’ll also discover the connection between the fire tower and Friends volunteer group before finishing up with some of the park’s fun programs.

Check out Friends of Ouabache State Park and be sure to look at their beautiful magazine. Enjoy ice cream from Toppings or hit up Bummies drive-in for a root beer float!

Any episode mistakes or misinformation is my own.

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