Travels

Places I have Visited

Walking Grand Island – No. 1

/ Sarah Collins / Leave a comment

My favorite location to walk in Grand Island, Nebraska is Hall County Park.  Why?  The trees!  It has trees, big trees, lots of trees.  The path around the park is about a mile, and there are two other trails: one around the Stuhr Museum property, and a second trail that takes you to the Walmart.

All trails are very peaceful.  If you feel adventurous, you can take one of the many trails into the woods.  If you need a rest, there are plenty of swings and picnic tables.  The restrooms in Hall County Park are some of the cleanest public facilities I have seen.  Yes, they are ranked right up there with Chick-fil-a for cleanliness.

A word of caution.  Watch out for motor vehicles, bicyclists, and wild turkeys.

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Walking Baton Rouge – No. 1

/ Sarah Collins / 1 Comment

My favorite place to walk in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the Cohn Arboretum.  There are walking paths, trees and more trees, bamboo, a pond, grapevines, and lots of flowers.  It is usually not busy, except when the workers are there.  It is well maintained and peaceful.  It is also on the way to the my No. 3 spot, so I usually catch both on the same day.

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This is Baton Rouge, so remember wherever you go; your bug spray and water.  However, pests have never seemed to be a problem here.

Walking Grand Island – No. 2

/ Sarah Collins / Leave a comment

My second favorite place to go walking in Grand Island, NE is along the John Brownwell Trail.  It is best if you start the walk at Sucks Lake and go right.  Just go right.   If you walk around the lake, the ducks and geese will get out of the way.  However, their droppings do not move.  It is best just to head towards the Cemetery; again go right.

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I rarely walk to the cemetery, instead I select the path to College Park.  About 1.5 miles along the trail Sothmann Park will be just off the path.  There you will encounter more geese and their droppings.    You will also get to see one of the best trees in Grand Island.

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If you choose to walk the 4 miles to Hall County Park, you will pass the Stuhr Museum and will see more trees.  There is one problem with walking the 4 miles to Hall County Park; you will need to walk the 4 miles back to Suck Lake.

Walking Baton Rouge – No. 2

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My second favor place to walk in Baton Rouge is the Highland Road Park.  It is located south of downtown, south of LSU, south of the Mall, but north of the Ascension Parish line.  The 2/3 mile walking trail is located on a hill.  Yes!  This area of Baton Rouge has hills.

But, don’t stay on the concrete walking path.  Go for an adventure.  Take the paths the cross country athletes use for training, or walk the area the disc golfer use.  It will take you into the trees, over bridges, to the tennis courts and splash pad.  Beware, their are two dangers here:  one rolling down a hill; and two to getting your shoes wet with dew if you are out early morning.

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Walking in Grand Island – No. 3

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My third favor place to walk in Grand Island, Nebraska is Eagle Scout Park.  There is a lake in the middle of the park with a 1.01 mile walking trailing.  One of the benefits to walking in Eagle Scout Park is you are able to go in circles with no one judging you.  Unless, you have gone around in circles many, many times, then people have started talking about you.  Or, they have finished their few trips around the park and left.

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During the walk around the park, you are able to look at the trees, the waves on the water, and watch the corn grow in the nearby field.  There is a couple of things you need to be cautious about while visiting the park: one Wascally Wabbits; the pole wielding, capped homo sapiens perched on the lake’s edge, who occasionally emerge from the grass carrying their catches; and the swing sets that temps you to bring out your inner child.

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Eagle Scout Park almost made it to second favor walking location; however since they are building a huge sport complex next door, I predict the traffic and noise level at the park to increase which will hamper the peaceful walk around the park.

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Walking In Baton Rouge – No. 3

/ Sarah Collins / 1 Comment

My third favor place to walk in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the Baton Rouge Zoo.  In the mornings, during the summer months, it was not overly crowded.  You could keep up a good pace.  You may have to deal with the animals staring at you.  Also, keep a eye out for the 5 to 6 foot tall hooded homo sapiens wielding a garden hose.  They can be spotted in the early morning hours in many of the enclosures.    Another plus to walking in the zoo, is you get see monkeys and tigers showing off their lounging skills, and giraffes and rhinoceros demonstrating their eating skills while you are exercising.

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Views From Atop of the Louisiana State Capitol

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The current Louisiana State Capital building was built during the depression era to create jobs by Governor Huey P. Long. Long was later shot and killed inside the building.

It is the tallest capital building in the United States. The observation tower is located on the 24th floor and the elevator go to the 30th floor.

The view of the Mississippi River shows you just how mighty it is. LSU”s tiger stadium can be seen from the tower.

Before you plan your visit, keep in mind that I don’t think that the government wants you to visit downtown Baton Rouge. Security is so tight around the capital building you can no longer park near it. Almost every other parking spot is 2 hour paid parking unless you want to park in a garage and walk. Be prepare to have your possessions scanned and walk through a metal detector.

Traffic in Baton Rouge is horrendous and don’t even attempt to cross the bridge during the hours surrounding rush the hours.