Hi, I was wondering if anyone has hiked any of the trails around here? I was looking specifically at the Ol' Sarge trail. (http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/kisatchie/calcasieu-rd/vernon/trails/ol-sarge.htm) We tried looking for it once, but then got a little freaked because we weren't sure if we were going in the right direction. hah. So anyone familiar? For those who don't know, what do you like to do outdoors around here?  

I dont know where that is but the Fullerton Mill Pond has hiking trails through the old ruins of the city that was once there, it is pretty cool. 

I dont know where that trail is either sorry, the Fullerton trail sounds pretty neat I'm gonna definately check it out.Hodges gardens is pretty nice it cost money to go in tho I cant remember how much, South Toledo Bend state park is also really pretty it cost around $1, it has hiking trails n cabins that you can rent. 

idk, the address on the side of that page is pineville, which is way out past alexandria, but vernon parish doesnt go that far... 

Kincaid Lake rec area is in Gardner, they have a day use beach area, trails, camping, it is a lot of fun. Indian Creek Rec area is in Woodworth, south of Alex. They also have a beach, hiking trails, lake, and camping. I can't wait for the Forest Hill Nursery Festival, I am hoping to get lots of pretty stuff for my yard and garden. 

Forest Hill Nursery Festival? I'm super intrigued! When and where is that? 

It's on my birthday this year. lol. http://www.louisiananurseryfestival.com/ 

Cotile Trade Days is the last weekend in March and it is really good. They have alot of crafts, plants, and other things. It is held at the Cotile Lake Rec Area. 

Valentine Lake has the wild Azalea (sp?) Trail which is a hiking trail that is pretty long, and very pretty. 

Ohh wild azalea! That must look very pretty in the spring :D. I will for sure have to see that. 

Speaking of hiking trails, my family and I love to go camping. We go camping in Tatum, TX every year for Easter. Well last year we went on the hiking trail. My 10 yr old brother decided to bring provisions in case we get lost. So he has bottles of water, snacks, a walking stick etc. About half way down the trail he gets tired of packing all the crap he brought. So we had to hear him whine for about a mile. 

I don't know if anyone like to go ATVing but there is a nice ATV park not far from Ft Polk in Kisatchie, miles and miles of trails. Also Kisatchie Hills and Red Dirt are nice for hiking. 

when we move back to NY when my hubbs gets back from AIT, we're planning on going backpacking, but the thing is, our daughter is going to be 21 months by then, but she does do pretty well sleeping in a tent. i guess i'd have to get one of those babycarriers that is like a backpack lol. lake placid is such a beautiful place and the adirondack mountains too. 

We don't do it much anymore for the same reason our baby is 19 mos old. Would love to go to New York, would really love to see the whole East Coast. 

iwas back home in NY when hubby was deployed last year and in july when my daughter turned a year, my mom,sister,her kids, my daughter and i went camping. she was in her stroller when we had to walk down trails to get from our tent to the road, but she did really well. when people think of NY, automatically think of NYC. NY is so much more than that and is very country upstate. they have dairy farms, mountains, beautiful lakes, chasams, and lots of wildlife. 

My uncle and aunt went up the East Coast a few months ago on vacation, He wouldn't go through NYC. They loved the northern part of the state, brought back lots of beautiful pics. 

Would love to hear more outdoor sites. Keep them coming! 

http://www.crt.state.la.us/Parks/iparkslisting.aspx this is a list of state parks I have been to alot of them and they are really nice, but Kisatchie has some scenic places to go to for hiking, fishing, camping, etc. 

the Ft Polk heritage day site can give you a map of the old graveyards and unmarked graveyards scattered through the woods in and around Ft Polk. 

the Ft Polk heritage day site can give you a map of the old graveyards and unmarked graveyards scattered through the woods in and around Ft Polk. i just found out there were any! thats crazy stuff! 

oh yeah, there are tons of graveyards out in the box. if anyone hasnt been driving around out there you definitely should! theres lots of things to see, the simulated stuff is cool and engineer lake used to have an alligator in it, but is a nice place to go fishing. there are also wild horses that roam around too. 

I may have to check that out! Sounds fun!