Charleston State Park, on the Ohio River, north of Louisville. There are many great parks in Southern Indiana. This could be part of a grand tour, and some good rugged hiking.
O'Bannon Woods State Park, also on the Ohio, but further West nearer to the Hoosier National Forest, and by Corydon, Indiana, the first State Capital of Indiana. Part 2 of the southern state park tour? Also they have a fire tower, so it's a must see!
Red River Gorge, in Kentucky.
On my list from 2018 is the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway. Full of great points of interest, arches, hiking, and who-knows-what-all. I see this as a week long trip. It's abut 5 or 6 hours from home. A sprained ankle kept me from visiting last year. Hopefully 2019 will be injury and sickness free.
Starved Rock State Park is in Illinois, west of Chicago. Beautiful. Matthiessen State Park is near it, and said to be just as, if not more, gorgeous. Definitely on the list, and not tooo far from here.
Letchworth or Watkins Glen in New York. Look at that. Letchworth is described as the Grand Canyon of the East, and voted best park in New York. At over 8 hours away, it's a big drive, but gotta be worth it. Just east of the finger lakes. There will be a lot to see and do in the area besides looking at scenic views and hiking, but WHO CARES!
Guess where? Mountains, the ocean, jungles and Sloths! It's Costa Rica! Will we get there in 2019? No, not unless momma wins the lottery. Those clouds look like dreams waiting to happen.
