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 our 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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Get to know the rebel state park -- The Shades! But is Shades actually the rugged, rebel, isolated park I think it is? You might be surprised to learn the real history of the property. Yes, there's lore and murder, but there's also innovation, social movements, and my favorite hike in Indiana so far! Plus, we get into astronomy and why Shades is the best place for star-gazing. If you've never been to Shades, make it a priority!

If you want to hike the Pine Hills Nature Preserve, this map gives information about what you’ll see. Learn more about The Friends of Turkey Run and Shades State Parks and keep track of their great events!

If you live in the area, be sure to connect with the Wabash Valley Astronomical Society. If you live in other parts of Indiana, the state’s astronomical society is a great place to start. I’m confident nearby states have their own societies, so my out of state listeners, you’ll have to look up your closest group. But everyone can be sure to check out the Indiana Family Star Party this summer too!

Any mistakes are my own.

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I loved learning about fire towers and lookouts in Indiana and across the country. There's so much history here, and I barely scratched the surface! You can learn tons about fire towers at the Forest Fire Lookout Association site. If you want to see a presentation Teena Ligman did in March 2025 about them, including pictures, click here. You’ll hear much of the same information but get the awesome visuals a podcast can’t provide.

If you have a kid who loves fire towers, check out Headstrong Hallie!, an illustrated kids’ book about Hallie Morse Daggett.

I saw Clarisse Carroll's name spelled several ways (Clarisse, Clarrise, and Clarissie). I pronounced it Cla-reece; Teena pronounced it Cla-rissie. I'm not sure which is correct, and unfortunately, I didn't have time to track down any of her relatives. If you know the right pronunciation, please reach out! If you'd like to read more about her, here’s information. I learned a lot about the Georgia Fire Tower on the US Forest Service site.

Finally, if you want to climb all Indiana’s fire towers and learn more about ones no longer in use, check them out here.

Any mistakes -- and I'm sure there are some! -- are mine.

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