CORALVILLE IOWA

CORALVILLE IOWA

We have visited Coralville several times over the years and always enjoyed exploring the gorge for different fossils. 

 

Historic floods during the summer of 1993 poured over the emergency spillway at Coralville Lake and eroded a deep channel into the underlying bedrock deposits.  It is now possible to walk across acres of Devonian-age sea floors and get a first-hand look at features normally hidden from view or glimpsed only in vertical cuts along roadsides or in quarries.

 

Excellent fossil remains of marine life that inhabited the clear, warm, shallow Devonian seas can be observed.  Some of the coral masses are upside-down, overturned by ancient storm surge.  The sedimentary rock originated as lime-rick deposits accumulating on sea floors during the Devonian period of geologic time, some 375 million years ago.

 

Its a great place to spend a day or two.  They also have some great hiking trails that run along Coralville Lake.  The campground is a Corps of Engineers so its a good place spend some time.  They also offer 11 full hook ups sites.

 

GULF ISLAND

NATIONAL SEASHORE

MISSISSIPPI

Gulf Islands National Seashore offers recreation opportunities and preserves natural and historic resources along the Gulf of Mexico barrier islands of Florida and Mississippi.  The protected regions include mainland areas and parts of 7 islands.  The Mississippi District of the seashore features natural beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, islands accessible only by boat, bayous, nature trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds.  The Davis Bayou Area is the only portion of the National Seashore in Mississippi that is accessible by automobile.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

Linda and I really liked the Gulf Island National Seashore, the Davis Bayou.  We managed to hike all the trails that they offered.  We bumped into a man that had found a baby squirrel.  He said that he thought it was sick so he took it to a vet.  It turned out the little thing was fine and he was told to turn it loose.  We found a large alligator that hangs out in the bayou, they say he hangs out there everyday.  We talked to a ranger and was told that the Civilian Conservation Corp built most of the park.  It has been destroyed by several hurricanes but always manages to be rebuilt.

 

We did manage a day trip over to the Mississippi Sandhill Crane Refuge.  The ranger there took a bunch of us on a tour of the refuge, in search of the Sandhill Cranes.  We did manage to see a few cranes and also an eagle.  The Mississippi Sandhill Cranes don't migrate and were just about extinct.  They have been brought back from the edge and are now about 110 strong.  In order to get to where we went you have to sign up to take a tour, when they are offered.  Linda and I were just lucky to get to go, we took the last 2 seats available, the cranes are starting to nest and there won't be anymore tours for awhile.

 

 

 

 

HILLSBOROUGH RIVER STATE PARK

FLORIDA

Hillsborough River State Park is located near Zephyrhills which is located in Pasco County, Florida. It is a popular park due to its proximity to the city of Tampa.  The park offers many activities including fishing, canoeing, kayaking and birding.  The park also has a swimming pool and a real good campground. 

 

 

Hillsborough River State Park is one of the eight original Florida State Parks created in 1938.  The park is cut into to halves by the swiftly flowing section of the Hillsborough River.  This section of the river is noted for having several clusters of small rapids; it is one of the few rivers in Florida to have a system of rapids.  Located on park land is a replica of Fort Foster, which was originally built in 1836 during the Second Seminole War.  Tours of the fort are given on weekends, with many artifacts on display from Florida's pioneer history.

 

 

Linda and I enjoyed the day at this park.  We hiked several of the trails that go in and around the park.  We managed to find one rather large alligator.  He followed us along the river, we were beginning to wonder if he was thinking about us as lunch.