2021 State Park Visits

In 2021 we visited state parks in 4 states!

 Texas State Parks

1. Colorado Bend State Park
2. Enchanted Rock State Park
3. Lost Maples State Natural Area
4. Palmetto State Park
5. Buescher State Park (2 visits)
6. Pedernales Falls State Park
7. Inks Lake State Park (3 visits)
8. McKinney Falls State Park (3 visits)
9. LBJ State Park
10. Palo Duro Canyon State Park
11. Garner State Park
12. Fairfield Lake State Park
13. Bastrop State Park

Alabama State Parks

1. Gulf State Park
2. Oak Mountain State Park
3. Cheaha State Park
4. Tannehill Historical State Park

South Carolina State Parks

1. Oconee Station Historical State Park
2. Table Rock State Park
3. Keowee-Toxaway State Park

New Mexico State Parks

1. Hyde Memorial State Park
2. Eagle Nest State Park
3. Cimarron Canyon State Park

2021 National Park and Forest Land Visits

National Parks

1. White Sands National Park
2. Saguaro National Park
3. Grand Canyon National Park
4. Petrified Forest National Park
5. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
6. Carlsbad Caverns National Park
7. Mammoth Cave National Park
8. Congaree National Park
9. Mesa Verde National Park
10. Canyonlands National Park - Island in the Sky
11. Arches National Park
12. Black Canyon of the Gunnison

National Monuments

1. Chiricahua National Monument
2. Walnut Canyon National Monument
3. Chimney Rock National Monument
4. Colorado National Monument

National Forests

1. Coronado National Forest
2. Coconino National Forest
3. Kaibab National Forest
4. Sam Houston National Forest
5. Talladega National Forest
6. Sumter National Forest
7. Santa Fe National Forest
8. Carson National Forest
9. Rio Grande National Forest
10. Gunnison National Forest
11. San Juan National Forest

National Historic Parks

1. LBJ National Historic Park

Family Advent Camp

We were over the moon to be able to make it to Family Advent Camp at Camp Chrysalis after missing last year. We joined 8 other families and had a blast. We made gingerbread houses, decorated ornaments, completed our wood burned nativity seat, hiked to the big cross, archery, rock climbing, giant swing, s'mores, caroling, made chrismons, and ate lots of yummy camp food. 

1000 Hours Outside: October Summary

We hit our 1000 hours outside for 2021 on October 17th. We celebrated the following weekend by wearing our 1000 hours outside shirts, going for a hike, and picnicking at Bull Creek. We decided to stop counting hours after meeting our yearly goal. It was an amazing goal and got us to spend SO much time outside that we would not normally have done. 

1000 Hours Outside September Summary

 49 outside hours for September for a total of 945/1000 hours for 2021. We visited 2 state parks, camped, splashed in some water, rode bikes, went to outdoor Cub Scout meetings, sold popcorn, and spent some time worshiping in the courtyard at church. The most memorable outdoor event was spotting a skunk walking behind our tent while I was getting dressed for bed! This was our lowest hours month, but there were lots of hot days, and a lot of exhaustion from school.

14 Years

In September, we celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. I took the day off so we could have a day date while the boys were in school! We took the boys to school. Then we went to the Hike and Bike Trail on Lady Bird Lake for a long, adult-paced walk. Then we went kayaking for an hour. It was so fun! We finished up with lunch at Cava. It was a lovely, active, adventure!

South Carolina Road Trip

This summer, we spent a week in South Carolina visiting Uncle Jeremy. We had a blast exploring! We did lots of hiking, saw many waterfalls, visited the Greenville Zoo, played, swam, added another National Park to our list (Congaree), and visited 4 state parks.