Author: marklongmainstream (Page 106 of 174)

The longest cave in the world is now even longer!

Posnov / Getty Images

Spelunkers from the Cave Research Foundation recently mapped out 8 additional miles of pathways in Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. Mammoth Caves is the states only national park and is considered the worlds longest cave system.

Jonathan Waldron

On September 12th the National Park announced on its Facebook page, “THE LONGEST CAVE IN THE WORLD IS NOW EVEN LONGER!!!” The recent discovery increased the caves total documented length to an astonishing 420 miles!

Jonathan Waldron

The cave earned its “world’s longest” superlative all the way back in 1969, when just 65 miles of passages were surveyed—many by the CRF. For more than six decades, Mammoth Cave has partnered with the nonprofit to explore its complex system; each year, volunteers descend into the farthest reaches of the cave to survey previously undocumented tunnels. Because lasers can’t bend around obstructions, researchers must manually measure cave passages in a painstaking process.

Michelle Jaqua

Which means every mile of cave length was physically visited and surveyed. Many of the cave trips are long and challenging , involving climbing, vertical exposure, squeezes, crawlways, water, and mud. After the trip, cartographers turn the data collected on the cave trip into a map. Other volunteers provide surface support. It’s a first-rate effort for a world-class cave.

Michelle Jaqua

Though the official Mammoth Cave map has yet to be expanded to include the newly mapped tunnels, you probably won’t be able to explore them any time soon. Visits by the public are restricted to guided tours of several dozen prescribed routes, the longest of which lasts six hours and covers just 5 miles. That means there are hundreds of miles kept off-limits to visitors.

Susan Blackford

Thanks to the ongoing work of the CRF, who have put in thousands of hours of work over the last 60-plus years, there are plenty more tunnels waiting to be uncovered. When it comes to discoveries in Mammoth Cave, there truly is no end in sight!

Mammoth Cave is located in beautiful Kentucky at  1 Visitor Center Parkway in Mammoth Cave, KY 42259.  For more information, click here.

Haan Roofing and Exteriors is a Licensed General Contractor who has been serving the Quad Cities and surrounding areas for the last 24 years!

This family-owned, and operated business, was founded in 1997 and has had more than 10,000 satisfied customers! The key to this kind of longevity is simple: exceed the customers expectations, EVERY-TIME!  Its because of this ideology that Haan Roofing and Exteriors has grown to become the premier roofing and siding company in the Quad Cities!

Project manager Tim Sylvia has been with the company for 6 years, and absolutely loves his job! Tim appreciates the honest hard work that goes into the day to day operation that gives this company a competitive edge over the competition. As a 2x UFC Heavyweight World Champion Tim knows a thing or two about hard work.

As a professional fighter Tim was a well respected champion, with an outstanding reputation both in and out of the ring.  As a project manager, his reputation is on the line with each and every job his crew performs.  That’s why Tim is proud to be employed by a company like Haan Roofing and Exteriors.  Just like Tim in the UFC, Haan has a reputation of being the best in the industry!

As is often the case with construction jobs, customers need someone they can count on to show up on time.  At Haan Roofing and Exteriors estimates are given out within 2 days of contacting the office, and often time the work begins in two weeks or less! (Siding jobs may take longer as supplies become available) Its this type of timely service that has made Haan an industry leader!

You can rest assured knowing that all of Haan’s employees are License, bonded, and insuranced, and are some of the most qualified in the region.

Haan has deep roots in the Quad Cities, and cares about the future of this area, that’s why they make annual donations supporting youth athletics in both Davenport and Bettendorf!

Regardless of whether you need to replace your existing roof or you are involved in a new construction project that requires a roofing system, it is always a smart idea to work with the best roofing contractor available. In the Quad Cities area that contractor is Haan Roofing and Exteriors!

Haan Roofing and Exteriors is located at 17918 Great River Road Pleasant Valley, IA 52767

To get a free estimate call, (563) 209-8087 or email Themaineiac@hotmail.com

If you have followed this page for any length of time, you would know that Missouri is full of gorgeous parks! Well here’s one more.  This beautiful park is literally jam packed with astonishing sights. Echo Bluff State Park is located at 34489 Echo Bluff Drive in Eminence, Missouri. For more information, click here.

This picture is owned by Kathleen B

More than 85 years ago, this area opened as Camp Zoe, a summer youth camp that provided outdoor experiences and life-long memories for thousands of young people.

Echo Bluff Facebook

Today, Echo Bluff State Park is a year-round outdoor destination that allows visitors to create new memories as they experience all the Ozarks have to offer. Visitors of all ages can fill their days floating, hiking, swimming or fishing.

While the park has a spectacular natural setting, the modern amenities enhance the experience and make it welcoming for everyone. An impressive, iconic lodge features guest rooms, indoor and outdoor casual dining and meeting rooms. Nine full-service cabins with 13 units are a great option for families and groups. Camping opportunities range from primitive to full-service campsites. The bluff-top shelter is perfect for special events, and an amphitheater for smaller events offers a dramatic natural backdrop.

Echo Bluff Facebook

Echo Bluff is located in Eminence just a few miles from the Current River. The park is surrounded with towering bluffs, a dense forest and the Sinking Creek.

This picture is owned by Christina Ward

Sinking Creek is the perfect place to laze away a hot summer afternoon swimming, wading or floating. The creek also is known as a good place to fish for small-mouth bass. Sinking Creek is a tributary of the legendary Current River, considered one of the best float streams in the Midwest. Kayaks and canoes are available for rent.

Echo Bluff State Park Facebook Page

If that wasn’t enough, there’s also a beautiful natural spring hiding within the park.

Echo Bluff Facebook

If you’re planning to spend the night, there are quite a few options to choose from.  The Timbuktu campground features 12 walk-in sites and 60 full service sites. If you plan on bringing an RV, there’s water, electric and pump-out services at all of the 60 full service campsites. Additionally, the entire state park is equipped with complimentary WiFi.

If you desire a more comfortable nights sleep, you can stay in one of the cabins. For large families or groups, there’s 9 fully furnished cabins to stay at. All of the cabins include a kitchen, flat screen TV, an outdoor deck and gas grill, a fireplace. 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom and 4 bedroom cabins are available.

If you enjoy breathtaking views, you can spend the night at the Betty Lea Lodge.  The lodge provides 16 cozy guest rooms and 4 suites, each with a balcony to enjoy stunning views of the park. With the same amenities offered at the cabins plus 24-hour front desk service!

If you’re looking for natural beauty, luxurious accommodations and fun activities, than Echo Bluff State Park may just be the place for you!

For more Amazing Locations, in Missouri, click here. For nearby lodging, click here. For a list of the best family activities in Missouri, click here.

Located just northeast of Sioux Falls sits the gorgeous Palisades State Park, one of the most unique areas in all of South Dakota!

Vacation in America

For millions of years, Split Rock Creek cut deep gorges through Palisades State Park. Geologists estimate the Sioux quartzite spires are 1.2 billion years old.

Photo by @k.e.moni (Instagram)

Four hiking trails twist and turn through these beautiful rock formations.

Hike Your Own Hike

Scenic overlooks and rushing water make Palisades a remarkable getaway.

Livin’ Our Dream In The Phoenix

The park is popular among campers, photographers, sightseers, picnickers, rock climbers and hikers.

Brittany Kahl Photography

A huge flour mill was once located on the bluff overlooking the park. The mill was powered by a large water-wheel installed along the rushing Split Rock Creek. The once-bustling town of Palisades grew around the success of the mill.

by Aaron J. Groen – HomeGroen Photography

The cliffs and formations at Palisades are used by rock climbers to practice their scaling and rappelling techniques.

Vacation in America

Palisades State Park campground is next to the beautiful Split Rock Creek and has 34 single-family campsites and 6 cabins. Youth group campsites are also available. All campsites have electric hookups and some have full hookups. Each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. The campground is heavily wooded offering plenty of shade in the summer. Amenities include drinking water, vault & flush toilets, hot showers and a dump station. Firewood is also available for sale at the park. There’s also a playground, picnic area, biking trails and an amphitheater.

Vacation in America

Scenic overlooks and rushing water make Palisades a popular getaway. At only 157 acres, it is South Dakota’s second-smallest state park.

Vacation in America

The park is located just south of Garretson, 10 miles off Interstate 90. 25491 485th Ave, Garretson South Dakota.

Sylvan Lake is probably the most recognizable of the five Custer State Park lakes, and of any of the Black Hills lakes for that matter. Its definitely a favorite of almost anyone who has seen it, especially photographers, artists or anyone that saw the Nicolas Cage movie “National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets” (although the location may seem off). Sylvan Lake is a very popular spot for weddings and other special occasions or as the most beautiful swimming hole one could possibly find. Sylvan Lake is located within Custer State Park at 13438 US Highway 16A, In Custer South Dakota. For more information, click here.

Sylvan Lake has been one of the park’s most popular spots since before the park even existed and because of that, it has almost every amenity imaginable from rooms and fine-dining in the historic Sylvan Lake Lodge, to campsites (sorry, no large RVs or trailers), a general store, amazing hiking trails and more. There’s also a swimming beach and boat rentals (non-motorized only) where visitors can rent paddle boats, canoes or other watercraft rentals. Fishing is allowed in any one of Custer State Park’s lakes with a valid South Dakota fishing license.

Samantha Andrade

Any Black Hills vacation would not be complete without a day spent exploring and enjoying all that this crown jewel of Custer State Park (which, by the way, is considered one of the best state parks in America) holds.

Heather Lea Hoogerhyde-DeVault

Sylvan Lake is a lake located in Custer State Park, in the Black Hills of South Dakota, United States. It was created in 1891 when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch Creek. The lake area offers picnic places, rock climbing, small rental boats, swimming, and hiking trails.

Melanie Dickens Chambers

For The Best lodging options in South Dakota, click here. For a list of South Dakota’s best activities, click here. For some of South Dakota’s most amazing Parks, click here.