Saturday, May 9, 2009

State Park Fun

Today we took PB to visit Mom's favorite park. Indian Cave State Park is located 22 miles from home. Mom used to go hiking there nearly every weekend when she had big dogs. This was me and Banjo's first trip cause mom didn't think we would like hiking the trails. But we loved it! Banjo didn't ask to be carried a single time, he kept up with me the entire day. The park sits on 3,000 acres and has 20 miles of hiking trails.




When we drove through the park, Pink Baby got to sit up front so she could see better.



Me and Banjo sat in back, in our car seat so we could see out the window.



The first cool thing we saw was this old cabin in the woods. It is part of an exhibit. We were going to stop and get a closer look, but they had the gate locked. It's only open when they have reenactors there.


The next thing we saw was this view from the lookout platform. It overlooks the Missouri River. The same river PB road the Spirit of Brownville up when she left Tank in Kansas City.


Me and Banjo didn't like walking on the platform cause you could see through the boards and it was a long way down. It kinda freaked us out. Mom put us up on the bench so she could take our picture.


After leaving the lookout we walked down a nearby trail.



Along the way we found some pee-mail. There were lots of doggies in the park.



We walked and walked and walked some more. Then finally we got to the spot on the trail that mom wanted us to see. She said it was as pretty as she remembered. First, as seen from our point of view.

Then from mom's point of view.


After our hike, we drove down to the river where the Cave is located. Actually there are two caves. This one, which is small and goes back into the bluff a ways.

Here is a close up view of the entrance.



And then there is the main cave, a natural sandstone cavity, where the petroglyphs are located.


There was a sign, "No Pets", at the bottom of the stairs, but mom pretended she didn't see it and took us up with her. BOL


Here is PB sitting on the railing, with the cave wall behind her.


Due to all the modern graffiti, the petroglyphs are hard to see unless you know where to look. Mom has been there many times so she knew where to find them.
A bison, aka buffalo.

Two hooman profiles. Can you see them both?

Little stick people, another bison and a turtle at the top, but mom cut its head off!


On the opposite end of the cave, there is this mysterious formation. They believe this "chimney" is possibly man made. The park people filled it in with rocks many years ago to prevent people from hiking to the top and falling in.


This picture shows the size of the sandstone cavity. We were at the chimney end looking back over to the petroglyph side.


When we came down from the cave, mom took us to see the river close up. The Big Muddy, as it is called by locals, in its original natural meandering state was once the longest river in North America at over 2,540 miles in length. But nearly 72 miles of the river have been cut off in channeling, so it is now about the same length as the Mississippi River.


The Big Muddy is prone to flooding in the spring. Here is a tree with a high water mark. Looks like it's about 4-5' above the road.


I've probably bored you to death by now, so I will end this overly long post with a picture of Pink Baby and a warning sign.




15 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful park. I would sure like to hike some of those trails with you sometime. Great pictures of the caves and petroglyphs too. I'm sure you all really enjoyed your time there. Hope you didn't get any ticks though. I've had to stay away from the trails at the arboretum lately because the darn things kept coming home with me! Woof, Tank

Lorenza said...

HI, Bijou!
You had a pawesome time there!
Beautiful views. The Caves and the petroglyphs are great!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful day!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

the TN Bull Terrors said...

Very cool, ya'll are lucky to have that so close by!

Feather, Darla, Pappy & LizzaBella ^..^

Anonymous said...

OH MY BIJOU!! I am so excited that Pink Baby got to go with you to see the view!! It is breath taking! I know why your Mom used to go there so much!! And it's great that she found out you two might be pint sized but can def keep up with the 'big' dogs! Maybe she can take you back again and again! Those petroglyphs were very cool! It took me a minute to find the two faces then Mommy pointed them out! BOL I am glad you are having such a good time with Pink Baby!! Is she getting ready to pack her bags again?!

Licks,
Kylie

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

WOW!

That looks like a grrrreat place!

I would love to pull my mom along those trails!

That is furry khool woo three liked the hike so much! I'm sure your mom will take woo again soon!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Dughallmor Beagles said...

Hello! We came over from Kylie's place to see what adventures PB got up to....and wow! What a beautiful hike, that place looks amazing!
Nice to meet you :D
Slobbers xx

Suzuki said...

OMDog! Your car seat is soooo cool :) BOL What a pawsome place fur PB to visit.
Big licks to you
Suzuki
xxx

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

What a pawtastic place to take Pinky Baby!
I love all the history and interesting stuffs you found. I bet there so many cool smells there. Them petroglyphs sure be cool!
~lickies, Ludo

Anonymous said...

Hi Bijou,

Wow! PB sure is taking in the sights with you guys! :-) I love that cave...so cool!

Sniffs and licks,
Chase

PS - Mommy says she LOVES your car seat...too cute!

ThePainterPack said...

What a wonderful adventure!! Haroo roo!!! It is furry nice to meet woo!!!

Mya Boo Boo

Bruschi said...

Such a cool place for you guys to go and take Pink Baby! The views were spectacular and the caves were really old and neat! Did PB get scared at all? I would have! BOL!

Hugs and Licks, Bruschi

Allison Walton said...

Wat a fun trrrip! How nice of woo to take PB!

wuv,
Gus and Waldo

Brind'Amour Clumbers said...

Wow! That is the most awesome park I ever saw! I'm sure you all had a great time including PB! Boy, does she sure get around!!

Wiggles,
Brind'Amour

Woodrow, Luna, MJ Campanella said...

Wow that is some beautiful scenery - we hike all the time on our our houses property - Sweetie gets tired right away and MJ is very scattered so its just me and mommy we hike for hours.

Woodrow, Sweetie, MJ

Amber and Nala said...

What a cool place....you two really are taking PB on some great adventures!!

Love,
Nala