Park # 262 A Park that isn't a park, but is a Park- Charles Yound Buffalo Soldiers NM, Wilberforce, Ohio

This park, well house, is one of the three new parks for this year, but it isn't ready yet for public viewing-  it was dedicated in April, and that's it.  There is now just a house and a sign, and two stamps located in Cincinnati at Taft, and in Dayton at Dayton Aviation.  I'm counting this as a visit, though, since I was actually there. 

This was the view inside the front door- obviously, much work to do.

The sign in front of the house.

The house itself-  actually, it seems to be in pretty good shape. 

Charles Young was a WWI era soldier, for whom the park is named. 

Revisit to William Howard Taft NHS Cincinnati Ohio

Dropped down to the Taft NHS for a revisit today, and this time, I was able to take the house tour and get the movie in.  I already had a pin, and they didn't have a medallion.  I did get the three stamps here, including one for the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Site, which isn't open as yet. 

Revisit to Jefferson Expansion National Memorial St Louis Mo July 10 2013

I was last here in 2010, and missed a few stamps, then a trip report came out saying that several stamps had been retired- so off I went.  Parked in the pay lot at the far side, and then walked a good bit, which was good for exercise.

Went right through the security lines, which was rare, and this time, did the big Western Frontier Museum downstairs, and then got stamps at the information center and at the gift shop, almost didn't get the gift shop one, which was the 25th anniversary stamp- Then, I walked over to the Old Courthouse portion of the park, and this time, got in the Dred Scott Movie, and also a hiking medallion and the three stamps for this location.

A different perspective on the Arch, taken from the Gateway Grizzlies ball field across the river in Sauget, Ill.  Sadly, because of budget cuts, they don't illuminate the Arch at night anymore. 

Taken from the steps of the Court House, about 3 blocks up the street Cooper wants to go to the top of the Arch as an item on his bucket list.  Hopefully we can make it happen one day. 

Lewis and Clark NHT stop Lewis and Clark State Historical Site, Hartford, Ill. July 10 2013

I had been here back in the 2010 visit, but didn't realize they had a Lewis and Clark NHT stamp here, so back I went today-  This is a very pretty museum, and I found a formerly retired stamp to boot!!

Park 258- Ozark National Scenic Riverways Van Buren Missouri July 8 2013

After a couple of stops along the way, at some Trail of Tears stops, we found our way to the Alley Spring Campground unit of the Ozark NSR park.  This is park number 258/401 to visit. 

We got to the park about 1 pm, and I set off right away to get to the Visitor Centers and to stamping. 

First stop up was the Alley Mill and Alley Old Store Visitor Center, which were about a mile or so from the campground. 

The Old Mill Store VC is a quaint old building, and had a small gift store-  I got a hiking medallion, but they didn't have any pins, but they assured me that the Headquarters building had them. 

Just across the river is the Old Alley Mill-  Which is a late 1800's old grist mill, and is a very well done preservation-  they had a very knowledgeable volunteer on staff, and it was worth the visit-  got a duplicate stamp there. 

 There is also an old school building across the way-

At the old Store VC I was able to get the three stamps from the three Visitor Centers that are closed due to sequestration.  Score!

Next, I headed about 35 miles down twisty curvy back country roads over to the Park Headquarters/Visitor Center building in Van Buren Mo.  Got my pin there, and  a new stamp to boot!

Then, I went to the last stop for the day, the Big Spring Lodge building, about 6 miles away from Headquarters.  This is the site of an old CCC camp and cabins, and has the lodge, where you can have a nice meal- got my stamp there too. 

It was clear that this park was all about the river, lots of canoes, tubing, primitive campers, and such.  Very pretty and remote park set in the wild. 

Trail of Tears NHT stop- Salem Missouri July 8 2013

25 Miles south of Rolla is the Mark Twain National Forest Salem Ranger Office, where I got a stamp for the Trail of Tears.  Forgot to take a photo of the office. 



Trail of Tears Stop- Rolla, Missouri July 8, 2013

We stopped in here on our way to the Ozark NSR for a stamp.  The stamp is located in the Ranger Office for the Mark Twain National Forest. 

The secretary insisted on stamping the impression, and after an epic fail the first time, she announced, "you can read that" and put the stamp away.  Guess it will have to do.