Monthly Review September

It was suggested to put a monthly highlight/favorites post together after each month, so here goes

 September 

Places visited:

• Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore 
• highlight, just starting the trip, relaxing and enjoying each moment
• lowlight, only that it rained on our last day
• highly recommend this National Park (but camp at Indiana Dunes state park )
• Silver Springs/Cuyahoga National Park
• highlight, hiking the Ledges with Jack and Brian
• lowlight, none 
• Cuyahoga is nice, check it out if in the area
• Pymatuning State Park, PA
• highlight, getting out on the kayak for the first time on this trip
• lowlight, not a low but silly, carp at the spillway (go see them)
• recommend this place, especially if you have a boat to get on the water
• Cook Forest State Park, PA
• highlight, Cathedral of Ancient Forest
• lowlight, small and not a lot of trails
• recommend if in the area 
• Prince Gallitzin Sate Park, PA
• highlight, climbing up the water tower to see the views of the lake
• lowlight,  none
• I would chose another park
• Bald Eagle State Park, PA
• highlight, kayaking on Hunter's Run and having a pair of bald eagles fly over
• lowlight, campsite nothing spectacular but had everything you need
• if in the area check it out
• Backroom Brewery, VA
• highlight, Lavender Gin Gimlet
• lowlight, bartender was not a great hostess
• sure go here, especially if you like beer
• Mathews Arm Campground/Shenandoah National Park
• highlight, a visit from Joe & Paul
• lowlight, weather but you just have to roll with it
• highly recommend if you like to hike, great trails
• Chippokes Plantation State Park, VA/ Colonial Williamsburg Rose's favorite campsite in Sept
• highlight, a Ranger led private tour of the River House and Mansion with Chris & Joe
• lowlight, none
• highly recommend, can see plantation here and easy access to Colonial Williamsburg
• Parkton Plantation, NC
• highlight, looking out at the horizon and surrounding horse farms
• lowlight, none
• nice Harvest Host location, good change of pace
• Santee State Park/Congaree National Park
• highlight, kayaking on Lake Marion between the Cypress tress
• lowlight, campsite flooded but did drain in 2 hours
• if in area go see Congaree, its small but has cool features on the Boardwalk Trail
• Fort McAlister State Park, GA   Jim's favorite campsite in September
• highlight a visit to see Jim's folks in Hilton Head followed by a visit by them to the RV
• lowlight, two rainy days out of three

Of all the places in September my overall favorite place was Shenandoah National Park, I loved hiking there.  My favorite trail was the Rose River trail which had multiple cascades followed by a waterfall, then more cascades followed by another waterfall. I love me some waterfalls.

My favorite day in September travels was our day at Colonial Williamsburg.  It was a beautiful day weather wise the town was not crowded, the place was super clean, the staff was very welcoming and eager to talk to you about the history of the place.  We also got a ferry ride there and back as well as a delicious dinner at Surry Seafood Company.

My favorite picture:

I call this one Ranger at work.  We were walking the bog trail at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and came upon this ranger hard at work eradicating invasive plants.  Here's to all the rangers who preserve the parks for all of us.