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Monday, November 25, 2013

TRAVELER'S DELIGHT - BROWN COUNTY STATE PARK






Brown County State Park


Just over an hour south of Indianapolis is Brown County State Park sometimes known as the "Little Smokies." 
Now, compared to the Smokey Mountains, Brown County is a smaller, beautiful state park filled with activities for each reader. 

The park is the largest state park in Indiana with 15,696 acres to explore on bicycle, horseback or by hiking trails. 


The west entrance to the park is the park to be used by those with motorhomes, fifth wheels and trailers.

Brown County State Park


The east entrance has a covered bridge that has low clearance as well as a weight limit. 







The first landmark beyond the entrance will be an enjoyable location that enables great vistas, the West Lookout.  






Leaving the West Lookout, continuing into the heart of the park, you will come to intersections.  Just turn right.  Follow the well marked signs to the campgrounds.  


Our only complaint with the campgrounds is the parking spots are closer together than we would like in Buffalo Ridge.  If you continue past that smaller campground and follow the road, you will be in a more wooded campground sporting larger sites.  The drawback?  If you have a larger rig, I would recommend that you use the park map and make reservations for the site that fits your needs. 

A plus is there is a paved section entirely for disabled / handicapped.  It is in this area that in the summer of 2012 that we met the child, Amanda, who just had her last chemotherapy for brain cancer.

Amanda with Socks at Dude Ranch Camp. The smile says it all!

This is the latest photo, taken from her Caring Bridge site.

She is healthy, happy and growing.  She is also thankful for the readers of this blog that have prayed for her complete recovery.   

Amanda is a straight A student, participating in many activities.  

Back to Brown County State Park.  There is a four mile loop throughout the park as well as being able to ride on the road and even ride into Nashville, where you can shop till you drop.  

Brown

hiking Brown County Indiana

There are twelve miles of hiking trails with some starting from the campgrounds.  

The shortest trail, a half mile loop starting at the nature center is the first trail John walked after being released from the hospital.  What a happy day that was.  












The Fire Tower is another place to visit.  Do you feel like climbing? Add that to your hikes to have a great workout!





The seventy mile equine trail takes you through parts of the park that is only found on horseback.  You can find the perfect horse that meets your needs at the stately Saddle Barn.  







Brown County is a mecca for artists.  Bring you sketch book, oils, water 
colors and even your camera to capture outstanding views.  
Brown County State Park
Hesitation Point is just one of the terrific views that are calling for artists to capture.

When you are ready for some open air after being in the City of Indianapolis, hook up and move south to the Brown County State Park, our favorite state park in our home state of Indiana!   

Thanks for joining me today.  I sure hope it is warmer where you are!   It is thirty-three degrees, falling to twenty-six tonight.  

Your comments are a delight!  

What am I thankful for?  Each and every one of you.  

18 comments:

  1. Looks like a great park. It's not much warmer down here in Texas tonight. :(

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  2. Geez! And they call it global warming! Sure hope it warms up for everyone.

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  3. 33 is our low in Georgia tonight so don't feel too bad at least you didn't go south expecting it to be warm. Really great looking park. You are right, it seems to have something for everyone.

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    1. It is 33 right now and going down. Boy oh boy....we all need some warm air and hot sun! For some reason, I thought of you as I wrote this post. B.C.S.P, even has trees for you to hug.

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    2. All right, big trees to hug now that's a real draw in my opinion. So sweet of you to think of me.

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  4. Looks like a nice park. Have been to Brown County several times, but never stayed in he state park.

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  5. Where did you stay? Brown County IS a place you can visit many times and still return to find even more to see.

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  6. So, are you hanging north all winter or are you eventually heading south? It's cold there.

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    1. You would think we were going to hang her all winter, but nope, we leave a week from Sunday! I am so ready to be out of this cold weather. Hey, we are having a heat wave! It's 34 degrees....

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  7. We're finally warming up a tad. Sure hope you guys have a wonderful Thanksgiving.







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    1. It is a very good thing that you are getting warmer weather. Now.....blow some this way...Please!

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  8. Looks like a great park. I like that its easy to get to town. Its very cold and rainy in San Antonio. I think all the states are having bad weather.

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    1. This weather is for the Eskimos! I have a feeling that they are warmer than we are. It is hard to imagine that San Antonio is cold too.

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  9. Another nice place to explore along the way, thanks for sharing.

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    1. Yep, and the next State Park I am going to blog about is great too.

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  10. What a beautiful park! Thanks for taking time to show all aspects of the park.

    Glad to hear Amanda is doing well:)

    Stay warm! We had to drive 50 miles into FL before I took the blanket off my lap. Finally, warm temps!!

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    1. You are welcome. Floridas temperatures are not much better if you have to keep a blanket on your lap. Hope it warms up for you.

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  11. You live in a beautiful part of the country.

    I won't comment on the cold you are experiencing. We are in Houston and it is 40 right now getting down to 35 tonight. TONS of rain....yuck!

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