XploreNation

Dripping Springs Falls is a short hike within Natural Springs State Park to a stunning 77-foot waterfall! It is considered one of the most beautiful scenic wonders in the state of Oklahoma. It also showed up in a couple of scenes in 'Where the Red Fern Grows'. This week, Trim and Head bring you to the spot this American classic was made back in 1974. Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/breath-of-nature License code: H4QJXPJ86LRD5NKZ

The mesa-like mountain, Mount Magazine has two summits – Mossback Ridge and Signal Hill. While only 53 feet higher than the other, Signal Hill, at 2,753 feet above sea level, marks the official highest point in the state. At the top is a 400 square feet stone replica of Arkansas. The peak is in the Boston Mountains, 120 miles Northwest of Little Rock. It's in the middle of the Ozark National Forest in the Arkansas River Valley. Arkansas is actually a Midwestern state known for its mountains. Due to its proximity to Ouachita National Forest, many believe it's a part of the Ouachita Mountains, but, it is actually a part of the Arkansas River Valley and lies within the southern end of Ozark National Forest. It's one of the amazing hidden gems in Arkansas. We arrived during a storm and were greeted by a hanging fog that enveloped the summit. Come along this week to see what this peak has to offer! Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: CMY6RKKAYZ5FRECL

Driskill Mountain is the highest mountain in Louisiana, with an elevation of 535 feet. A large pile of rocks marks the high point. It is the 48th in order of height of the 50 US States. James Christopher 'Grancer' Driskill, the man for whom Driskill Mountain was named, was born in Georgia, in 1817. He settled the farm and timber land around the mountain in the 1830s after moving from Macon, Georgia. Mr. Driskill ended up owning 960 acres in the area. In 1874, he donated land for what is now the Mount Zion Presbyterian Church and the Driskill Memorial Cemetery. Many of Driskill's descendants still live near Driskill Mountain. Jimmie Davis and his band played You Are My Sunshine at the summit. Davis became governor of Louisiana after the performance and the song became the state song of Louisiana. Follow along on this 2-mile round tripper as we see what Louisiana has to dish out!

Cave-In-Rock cave is located in Cave-In-Rock State Park in the village of Cave-In-Rock, Illinois. It was established in October 1849. The 55-foot-wide cave lies on the bank of the Ohio River. When a French explorer came across the cave 1739, he dubbed the natural shelter, “caverne dans Le Roc.” Almost immediately after the cave was named, it became a hangout for outlaws, highwaymen, counterfeiters, bandits, fugitives, serial killers, and river pirates! There is a local legend that Jesse James and his gang once held out there. In the mid-1800s the cave was even used as a church, while the small village that would become known as Cave-In-Rock was established. In 1799 a group of vigilantes known as 'The Exterminators' raided the cave and the surrounding area, eventually taking out the bad guys that hung out at the site. We were able to visit the site and explore the cavern while chillin' like a bloodthirsty river pirate would have back in the day.

America's First National River. It was established in 1972 and it flows for 135 miles through the Ozarks in the north of Arkansas to Salem Plateau near the White River. It is one of the last undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. The river is beautiful with huge cliffs and bluffs that rise from its banks. There's something for everyone to do in this park including hiking, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, camping and fishing. The Park is home to the state's only elk herd. Come along with us this week see the sights that this gem has to offer and to see some ariel footage of that elk herd! Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/stay-hungry License code: BRRDNLCF8XFME1KW

Fort Scott, Kansas was named in honor of General Winfield Scott and was established in 1842, at the Marmaton River crossing of the Fort Leavenworth-Fort Gibson Military Road. It was among nine forts originally planned to line the area between the Great Lakes and New Orleans to separate proposed Indian lands and white settlements. There have been several sightings of ghost-like Civil War soldiers looming on the Fort Grounds and around the courtyard. Officers have also been seen in the cell blocks and stables. The Officer’s Quarters are said to be the most haunted. Long ago an officer accidentally shot himself when riding up to the building. He was showing off for his wife. The woman held him in her arms as he died in front of the building! It is also said that at midnight every night a ghostly figure can be seen looking out of the window of the officer’s building formerly known as the Free State Hotel! Come along with us on a tour of Fort Scott unlike any you've seen before with X-PloreNation!

Way up on top of a bluff in Ha Ha Tonka State Park (natives called it “laughing waters”), sits the ruins of a dead man’s dream. Wealthy businessman Robert Snyder had an idea to build a castle in his beloved Missouri. Construction on the home had begun by 1906, the year Snyder was killed in one of Missouri’s first car accidents, but his idea of the dream castle would not die with him. After his death, Snyder’s sons continued work on the building and were able to complete the castle by 1920. After Snyder's youngest son took over the estate, it wasn't long before depression and poverty drove him from the building. It was opened as a hotel and lodge until 1942 when the entire building was destroyed by a fire. The state purchased the property in the 1970’s and has preserved the crumbled walls of Snyder’s dream home. Visitors can now explore the skeleton of the “castle” that brought down the Snyder kingdom. Rumors of ghosts persist on the grounds, with numerous visitors claiming that they feel watched inside the castle, with the occasional sighting of a full body apparition. Just down the road from the castle ruins is Natural Bridge at Ha Ha Tonka State Park. It's an interesting geologic specimen just waiting for exploring! Join us this week for some unexpected surprises on the back roads of Missouri!

Mammoth Cave National Park is the world's longest known cave system. It's home to thousands of years of human history and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.The park was established as a national park on July 1, 1941. The park's 52,830 acres are located primarily in Edmonson County, with small areas extending eastward into Hart and Barren counties. The Green River runs through the park, with a tributary called the Nolin River feeding into the Green just inside the park. More than 420 miles of surveyed passageways, which is nearly twice as long as the second-longest cave system, Mexico's Sac Actun underwater cave. We arrived and got tix for the Frozen Niagara tour which remains one of the most famous tours at Mammoth Cave. Enjoy this week's walk underground at Mammoth Cave National Park! Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/slow-mo-dreams License code: SURRYJGTW8LM1JQT

Abe's Boyhood Home, a log cabin at Knob Creek, was his earliest recollection.The Lincoln family lived on 30 acres of the 228-acre Knob Creek Farm from the time Abe was 2 until he was almost 8 years old. Abraham recalled in later years many memories of his childhood here. He never forgot the time he fell in to a swollen Knob Creek while playing on a log near his home. Had it not been for a friend, Abraham would probably have drowned. His pal grabbed a long tree limb from the bank and held it out to the struggling Lincoln. Abraham spoke of the incident after he became President. Lincoln could also remember the baby brother who was born and died on the Knob Creek Farm. It was also at Knob Creek that Honest Abe first saw African/Americans being taken south along the Bardstown/Green River Turnpike, part of the old Cumberland Road, to be sold as slaves. We arrived at dinner time and that's the time the cats came! Check out these kitties trying to score a quick mealas we explore the grounds that Lincoln romped around on.

The First Lincoln MemorialFor the last 100 years, people from all over the world have come to Central Kentucky to honor our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln who was born in a one-room log cabin on his father's Sinking Spring Farm on Sunday, February 12, 1809. His early years on Kentucky's frontier readied him to lead our great nation through Civil War. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park is a designated U.S. historic park. The Sinking Spring, located just below the hill on which Abraham Lincoln was born, was named because the water dropped into a circular pit and disappeared into an underground river. The spring was most likely a deciding factor in Thomas Lincoln's selection for the location of the Lincoln cabin site. They depended on this spring for their water supply. Baby Abe more than likely had his first sip of water from this spring. Follow Trim and Head on a walkthrough of the grounds and spring. Let us know what you think if you have been to see the humble beginnings of one of this Nation's Great Presidents!

Best swine on 69. Bold statement...but they backed it up with some of the best BBQ the fellas ever had! Pulled Pork? 2 thumbs up. Brisket? Done proper! Hot Links, Pulled Chicken, Italian sausage, Pork Loin, Turkey? Can't go wrong here! It's a great barbecue in a converted gas station. Staff was super friendly. Follow us as we go undercover in this episode of trim.head.FOOD! to uncover some fantastic chow in the midwest!

Lake of the Ozarks is a reservoir created by impounding the Osage River in the northern part of the Ozarks in central Missouri. The lake has a surface area of 54,000 acres and 1,150 miles of shoreline. The main channel of the Osage Arm stretches 92 miles from one end to the other. Lake of the Ozarks is home to trophy largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish just waiting for your challenge! AquaPolooza takes place each July. Attendees gather on rafts and inflatable tubes. Live music is usually played from noon to 5pm as boaters link up their boats to one another.Missouri State Water Patrol has estimated that Party Cove attracts up to 3,000 boats during the 4th of July weekend. We showed up at the campground that night and were awoke by the sound of birdsong to an amazing lake view. See what happens when we Interview a top local Semi-amateur Bass Master fishing for tips on the Lake!

Just minutes south of Carbondale, deep in the Shawnee National Forest is the Garden of the Gods, It is one of the most photographed locations in the Midwest. It's much steeper and rockier than in most of Illinois as the area features rock formations overlooking hills and valleys in the Garden of the Gods Wilderness area. It is located in the eastern part of the Shawnee National Forest, which in itself is a 277,000-acre gem. Showing up after an ice storm, we were absolutely blown away by the hoodoos and other unusual sandstone formations, as well as scenic overlooks such as Buzzards Point, that had a half inch of ice coating the surface. Several of the hoodoos have very fitting names including Anvil Rock, Camel Rock, and Table Rock. Join us for a quick ramble around the The Observation Trail and see what this incredible place has to offer!

The Bucyrus-Erie model 1850B electric shovel once ran around the clock, digging out house-sized chunks of ground looking for coal. Each bucket scooped up was enough to fill three train cars. Big Brutus, at 16 stories high and 11 million pounds operated on 15,000 horsepower. It operated until 1974, when it became uneconomical to mine coal at the site. Locals rallied to have him declared a state landmark and turned into a museum. Postcards of Brutus were mailed far and wide. The big-muscled earthmover would not be forgotten. Visitors can now go inside and climb five stories to the innards of Big Brutus. A 48-star flag still hangs in the motor room. Come on in and look around the beast with Trim and Head on this week's episode of X-Plore Nation!

The railroad trestle is said to be home to the murderous Pope Lick Monster. It's believed that the goat-man has powerful, fur-covered goat legs, an alabaster-skinned face, wide-set eyes, horns protruding from its head, and long greasy hair. According to different reports, the goat-man either uses hypnosis or a siren voice to lure people onto the train tracks where they are then run down by passing locomotives. In other stories, the human-goat hybrid drops down onto passing cars from the trestles. Yet other legends tell that it attacks its victims with a blood-stained axe and that the very sight of the creature is so unsettling that those who see it while walking across the trestle are driven to jump off. Other legends say that the monster was a circus freak who vowed revenge after being mistreated, and when the train carrying the side-show derailed, all of the occupants were killed except the Pope Lick Monster which links it to the legend of the "Ghost Train". In the summer of 1987, a young boy fell to his death after trying to evade an oncoming train, and this same fate was met again by a young boy 13 years later. Legend or not, the Pope Lick Monster may have claimed more lives than most myths. Join X-Plore Nation for this week's journey into cryptozoology as Trim and Head make an attempt to find out if the legend holds any water!

The national park contains the Gateway Arch, known as the "Gateway to the West", which is the tallest structure in Missouri. Built between 1963-65, it stands 630 feet tall and 630 feet wide. There is a tram system to carry passengers to the observation room at the top. The Gateway Arch reflects St. Louis' role in the Westward Expansion of the US during the 19th century. The park is a memorial to Thomas Jefferson's role in opening the West, pioneers who helped shape its history, and Dred Scott who fought for his freedom in the Old Courthouse. We rolled in late, under the bright lights of the city, which illuminated the Arch alongside the Mississippi River. Check out our time spent as the East Coast boyz officially cross into the West!

Big Bone Lick :P Strange name but here's the real story... As it turns out, sulfur springs in the area created a salt lick, which attracted mammoths and other prehistoric animals to area. Many of those animals became stuck in the marshy area surrounding the salt lick, which created a huge deposit of fossils. So, some pretty “big bones” were found at this “lick,” hence the name! Located in Boone County, Kentucky, the park itself is a destination for those seeking an outdoor experience with a side of history. With thousands of fossils from over a dozen different prehistoric species (from mammoths to a giant ground sloth), Big Bone Lick offers an look at some of the earliest fossils ever discovered in the continental United States. Big Bone Lick State Park claims to be the “birthplace of American paleontology.” Take a stroll with the fellas this week to see what other animals they found on their hike around the park!

The 18-foot Agers Falls is on the Moose River in Lewis County, just east of the hamlet of Lyons Falls. The falls flow into a large pool, and there are more pools downstream. This area is open to the public and swimming is at your own risk. There is a sign warning that if you hear a siren the water flow will increase with a dam release, so be aware. The Moose River Trail is a nice hike along the river that starts at a parking area west of the Agers Falls Recreational & Historical Area along Lyonsdale Road and ends at the main parking area at the falls. It's about a 2 miles round trip. Back towards town, the 63-foot Lyons Falls is on the Black River in the hamlet of Lyons Falls. This is one of the most popular waterfalls in Lewis County and probably the easiest to see. Lyons Falls Pulp and Paper was a factory that sat just above the falls many years ago, but that has since been torn down.

The hike to Cascade Pond goes through beautiful hardwood forests. Cascade Pond is a remote pond with a lean-to that is on the east side of the Blue Ridge Wilderness Area located south of Blue Mountain Lake, New York. The trail is fairly easy, with a few uphill sections, and follows the Northville-Placid Trail (NPT) for a couple of miles. The pond provides great views of Blue Ridge and has a rocky shoreline. Fish species present in the lake are brook trout, and black bullhead. 4.6 miles (9.2 miles round trip) Indian Lake, Hamilton County

Located just south of Collinsville, IL, the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle stands tall and proud next to Route 159...Tall as in 170-foot tall! If filled with catsup, it would hold up to 640,000 bottles. Instead, it's topped off by 100,000 gallons of water. The water tower was built in 1949 and still advertises Brooks’ original rich & tangy catsup. Legend has it that the bottle can cause red hair in the unborn, as pregnant women passing too close to it have later found out. Luckily for us, this was something we did not have to worry about!

Watch Hill offers outstanding views for minimal effort. Just a 10 minutes from the center of Indian Lake (NY), heading south, it's located just off NY 30. The small mountain is right on Indian Lake. Come along and watch as we get punished on the icey trails leading up this hill At the first lookout there is a nice view of the cliffs on Snowy Mountain. Once at the summit, great views to be had of Indian Lake. The drone footage shows ya what it's like! Elevation 2126' Distance ~2.0 miles, round trip

An abandoned mining operation on a mountain top. In 1893, Frank Hooper opened a garnet mine which pulled 5000 tons of garnet out of the mountain every year. The Hooper’s Mine settlement became a bustling community with more than 50 buildings. In 1909 Hooper built Big Shanty, as home for him and his family. Big Shanty stands to this day, right near the Garnet Hill Lodge. By 1928, the mine closed as the garnet ran dry. Now, there is a cross country ski lodge and 25+ miles of trails open for hikers, skiers and snowshoers to explore.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park lies along the Cuyahoga River between the Ohio cities of Cleveland and Akron. There are a handful of waterfalls here, but the most famous is Brandywine Falls. This 65-footer is easy to reach from a large parking area via a wooden boardwalk and is the highest falls in the park. There are also over 125 miles of hiking trails within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Our favorite trail by far is the trail that takes you through the Ledges. This 2.2-mile trail is moderate, taking you through a forested area, into breakdown caves located among the boulders, and around mossy cliffs. The best part is that it is free of charge to enter. We arrived in the dark... and in the snow, but that did not deter us from seeing the ledges and some of the ancient secrets they hold!

Take a look at this short but beautiful scene in the Adirondacks! This is near Piseco Lake in the Southern region of the ADKs. With hiking, biking, marine sports, and couple of State campgrounds, this is a great place to unplug and unwind from the grind. :)

Have ya heard the one about the Woodpecker and the Beech Tree??? Better check it out then! {This pileated woodpecker was filmed in the Adirondacks near Old Forge, NY. It is the largest woodpecker species in the US and is the star of this Short.}