Page 9 - Lakewood Real Estate Edge May 2019

state parks TRAVEL

by Patti Nickell to the top of the falls every A replica of that guardhouse CUMBERLAND FALLS
time they procreate. This BEYOND can be seen on a tour of the STATE RESORT PARK,
he United States has makes Akaka Falls the only 22,000-acre fort/state park. CORBIN, KY
(as of a recent survey) state park to feature rock- Better yet, visitors can spend There are only two
T 8,565 state parks, climbing fish. YOSEMITE: the night in the former places on earth where a rare
ranging in diversity from New quarters of enlisted men and phenomenon—the moonbow,
York’s Niagara Falls State MORRO ROCK, officers, making it a great base occurring regularly during
Park, the nation’s oldest, to CENTRAL COAST, CA for exploring area attractions, cycles of the full moon—can
Little Jerusalem Badlands Speaking of rocks, from including the Crazy Horse be found: at Victoria Falls in
State Park in Kansas, the the charming community of STATE PARKS TO SEEK Memorial, about an hour’s Africa or here in southeastern
newest (opening later this year). Morro Bay rises an unlikely drive across the state line in Kentucky.
Many of these gems are often slab of rock that has become OUT OFF THE BEATEN South Dakota’s Black Hills. With a width of 125
overlooked in favor of their a symbol of this part of the feet and a drop of 68 feet,
national counterparts, and California coast. VACATION PATH CADDO LAKE STATE Cumberland Falls might be
that is a shame. Following is a The result of lava from an PARK, KARNACK, TX a mini-Victoria—which spans
roundup of five of my favorite underwater volcano reaching Those who think Texas is all the borders of two countries,
state parks. the surface, it is just one in a wide-open spaces and desert Zambia and Zimbabwe—but
chain of volcanic peaks that haven’t been to Caddo Lake try telling that to the throngs
AKAKA FALLS, BIG runs along the Central Coast. State Park near the Louisiana of visitors who line the upper
ISLAND, HI Once an island, Morro state line. With its 25,400-acre and lower observation decks
Some years back on a visit Rock is today connected to the mosaic of swamps, ponds and for a look at the lacy plumes of
to Hawaii’s Big Island, I took mainland by a thread of sand, bayous, Caddo Lake has a lush water spilling into the boulder-
a guided hike to Akaka Falls, a allowing visitors an up-close landscape that equals anything studded river below.
state park on the northeastern view of the marine preserve Louisiana has to offer. A perpetual mist surrounds
coast, equally known for its and its native wildlife. Otters Curtains of Spanish moss the falls, and this, in part, is
dramatic scenery and for a and sea lions bask on the jetty; hang limply from cypress trees; what causes the moonbow.
strange natural phenomenon. pumpkin orange sea stars are frogs croak from their lily pad The scientific explanation:
Located near the city of visible in the clear water and perches, and lazy alligators the light of the full moon
Hilo, it is one of the wettest cormorants and gulls circle float through backwater is reflected and refracted in
places on earth, with an average above the rock. channels. the delicate droplets of the
rainfall of 200 inches annually. The latter’s squealing every Interesting factoid: The lake mist, causing the arc to
As I carefully maneuvered morning served as my wake-up was home to a “Pearl Rush” appear a ghostly white rather
my way down a loop trail call. Enjoy the birds’ raucous in the early part of the 20th than multihued. OK, but
through the rainforest to arrive cries but take note: the fragile century when local fishermen it’s poetry and not science
at Akaka Falls—plunging 442 habitat makes climbing the discovered freshwater pearls that most think of upon first
feet into a tranquil pool—I rock illegal, so don’t try it. in the lake’s mussels. For seeing the moonbow.
marveled at hibiscus the size three years, scavengers flocked The state resort park,
of dinner plates and orchids in FORT ROBINSON STATE to the shallow waters where located in the middle of the
rainbow hues. PARK, HARRISON, NE they sifted through the mussel Daniel Boone National Forest,
It was beauty at its most This former military camp, beds in hopes of finding a has plenty of other attractions,
extravagant, but perhaps the which was in operation from fortune. including some of the best
thing that makes the Falls 1873 until the end of World The building of a nearby hiking trails in the state.
unique is something I didn’t War II, was established dam caused the water levels to Our national parks are
see—the tiny goby fish which to protect the Red Cloud here, and Buffalo Bill Cody battle against the white rise, thus ending the foraging, treasures, but travelers
live in the Pacific Ocean, but Indian Agency and to oversee frequented the fort during his soldiers. Upon his eventual but the mussel beds still lie shouldn’t overlook those other
come here to spawn in the the Sioux Reservation. time as an Army scout. surrender, he was brought below the murky waters, lesser-known ones that await
stream above the Falls. Its distinguished past has But if there’s one name here and imprisoned in a undisturbed by the boats that them in their own backyards. n
Since they wash back out to included many famous names. indelibly linked with Fort guardhouse. On Sept. 5, 1877, transport today’s visitors. It
the Pacific when they hatch Walter Reed was once the post Robinson, it’s that of Crazy he was killed by a bayonet just might be this primeval ©2019 Lexington Herald-
and mature, goby fish must surgeon; Arthur MacArthur Horse, the Lakota Sioux thrust from a sentry tasked landscape and not the hidden Leader Distributed by Tribune
make the journey from ocean (father of Gen. Douglas) served warrior who waged relentless with guarding him. pearls that is the real treasure. Content Agency, LLC.

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