Falls of the Ohio State Park...

Candace and I visited Falls of the Ohio State Park on Saturday 17th June, before we headed back home. Falls of the Ohio State Park is located in Clarksville, Indiana, just across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. We saw a number of interesting birds and enjoyed exploring the fossil beds (photo at right) on the banks of the river. It was a great way to end our flying 24-hour trip to Louisville to see U2! :)

 Louisville skyline from across the Ohio River.

 Entrance to Falls of the Ohio State Park.

 The Interpretive Centre.

 The foyer inside the Interpretive Centre.

 View across the Ohio River.

 Railway bridge with the fossil beds in the foreground.

 Exploring the fossil beds.

 My pretty wife. :)

 Many of the fossils are marine creatures.

 Osprey soaring above the river.

 Black-crowned night heron.

 Candace enjoying a swing over the Ohio River.

 Interesting root system.

 Lots of driftwood at the high water mark.

 George Rogers Clark Homesite in the Falls of the Ohio River State Park.

 It was from here that the Lewis & Clark Expedition started.

The McAlpine Locks and Dam hydro-electric plant.

U2 in Louisville...

Earlier in the year I had read that U2 were going to be touring the United States this summer as part of the 30th anniversary of the release of their ground-breaking Joshua Tree album. U2 is one of my favourite bands and so I made a mental note, but I didn't think that we would be able to go to any of their concerts. I had seen them in Cape Town in February 2011, but Candace had never seen them before.

And then earlier this month I discovered that the cheapest tickets had been slashed in half which made their Louisville concert suddenly more affordable. :) We bought two tickets for the 16th June concert, organised hotel accommodation and a babysitter for Riaan, (Thanks, Maleys!) and went and spent the night down in Louisville. (Louisville is just over two hours drive from our house.)

We enjoyed delicious pizza before the concert and then walked from our hotel to the Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. We thoroughly enjoyed the appetiser, One Republic, and loved the main course of U2. They were awesome and it was such a good concert with a powerful message. One of my favourite moments was when a massive Boeing 747 jet flew over the stadium just as they were launching into "Where the Streets Have No Name." It was a fantastic evening!

 The stage with the Joshua Tree.

 U2 walked out on stage playing "Sunday Bloody Sunday."

 They then did a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr...

 And transitioned into "Pride (In the Name of Love)."

 The stage and big screen looked fantastic.

 "Where the Streets Have No Name."

 Performing with a full Salvation Army brass band.

 They took us into a Syrian refugee camp during one of the songs.

 A tribute to all the women of the world.

 Bono is an amazing artist and performer.

 They ended the concert with "Beautiful Day", "Elevation", and "Vertigo."

Saying farewell and thank you on the stage.

McCormick's Creek on Memorial Day...

Candace, Riaan and I met up with Candace's family at McCormick's Creek State Park on Memorial Day. (Monday, 29th May.) We hiked along a long trail past Wolf Cave and enjoyed lunch at the campground. We also visited the Nature Centre, the Canyon Inn, as well as the waterfall and river. It was a lovely way to spend the holiday!

 Wolf Cave.

 Interesting tree.

 Riaan enjoyed all the different textures.

 Walking along the river.

 Heading back towards the Canyon Inn.

 The Nature Centre at McCormick's Creek.

 Riaan loved the turtles...

 And the snakes, too!

A photo from a year ago at the Nature Centre.

Same place, just one year later! :)

Follow me, Mommy!

 Charging station for hybrid and electric cars.

 Canyon Inn.

 Inside the entrance foyer at the Canyon Inn.

Pretty flower display outside.

Large Common Garter Snake...

We came across this healthy-looking common garter snake sunning himself just off our stoep late last month. He is definitely the longest and largest common garter snake that I've come across in the three years I've been in Indiana. He also has the most vibrant colour and markings!

 Smelling the air for danger.

 Muscular body.

Hiding at the base of the tall grass.