Lincoln S.P./Mounds S.P./Chain O'Lakes S.P., IND. (May 9 - 14)

Inside Mounds S.P. Visitor Center



Lincoln Nat. Visitor Center

Lincoln S.P. Campsite

Lincoln Boyhood Farm

As we passed through Indiana we stayed at the three State Parks named in our title.  Lincoln State Park was across the street from Lincoln's National Monument in southern Indiana where President Abraham Lincoln spent his boyhood days (age 7 - 16).  The Visitor Center was very nice and informative as well as a short film to see. We took a mile walk through his boyhood farm which was still being worked today as it did back then.  Also there were 12 stones placed along the trail representing monumental stages of his life.  Plus there was a cemetery where his mother Nancy Hanks Lincoln (who died when he was 9) was buried.

Mounds S.P. Visitor Center

Mounds State Park just outside Anderson, Ind. was just that.  There were 10 mounds and earthworks located throughout the park and a very beautiful Visitor Center with many things to interest children and adults like hands on items; small reptiles and a small nature garden just set up for them. The campground sites are very large and paved with only electricity.   Mike and Buddy kayaked the White River from Yorktown, IN. to the State Park for 12 miles which took them around 5 hours. Water shoes are recommended on this river because there no sandy places to port. We did have an chance to take an couple of breaks and do some refreshing swims. We both really enjoyed the trip very much!!

Chain 'O' Lakes Beach House

Old School House of 1915

The last State Park in Indiana was the Chain 'O' Lakes State Park south of Albion, Ind. which we were doused on by rain.  There are 11 lakes in this park of which 8 lakes are connected. During the slight break in rain we walked down to the beach and checked out the boat rentals.  Both were closed and would be open for Memorial Day Weekend.  We did come across an "Old School House" built in 1915  located in the park and is now used as an nature center. The center was closed but this restored building was very unique. We only stayed one night before moving on into Michigan.