Category: Uncategorized (Page 3 of 332)

Nestled within the rugged beauty of the Cumberland Plateau, Pickett CCC Memorial State Park offers visitors a unique blend of natural wonders and historical significance. Renowned for its pristine night skies and preserved Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) legacy, this park is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, and stargazers alike. Pickett CCC Memorial State Park is located at 4605 Pickett Park Hwy in Jamestown, Tennessee. For more information, click here.

A Legacy of the CCC

The park’s name pays homage to the Civilian Conservation Corps, a Depression-era program that played a vital role in developing the area. From 1934 to 1942, CCC workers built the park’s infrastructure, including cabins, trails, and the iconic park headquarters. Their craftsmanship and dedication are evident in the park’s rustic architecture, which blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Visitors can explore the CCC-built structures and learn about the program’s impact on the region’s development.

Planning Your Visit

Pickett CCC Memorial State Park is open year-round, with each season offering a unique experience. Spring brings blooming wildflowers, summer offers warm days for hiking and stargazing, fall showcases vibrant foliage, and winter provides a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

Address:

Pickett CCC Memorial State Park

4605 Pickett Park Hwy

Jamestown, TN 38556

Tips for Visitors:

* Check the park’s website for upcoming events and programs.

* Bring a flashlight or headlamp for navigating the park at night.

* Pack layers of clothing, as temperatures can fluctuate.

* Consider visiting during a new moon for optimal stargazing.

* Reserve cabins and campsites in advance, especially during peak season.

Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich cultural history in the heart of Texas. Located in Val Verde County, this park is a must-visit for anyone interested in archaeology, hiking, or simply experiencing the rugged beauty of the Texas landscape. Seminole Canyon State Park is located at 434 Park Road 67, in Comstock, Texas. For more information, click here.

Key Features and Activities:

* Ancient Rock Art:

* Guided tours are available, which are the only way to view the pictographs within the canyon. These tours offer invaluable insights into the history and meaning of the rock art.

* Hiking and Biking:

* The park boasts miles of trails, offering opportunities for hiking and biking through diverse terrain. While canyon hikes require a guide, other trails are available for self guided exploration.

* Camping:

* Seminole Canyon provides camping facilities, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the park’s natural surroundings.

* Bird Watching:

* The park’s diverse habitats make it a great spot for bird watching.

* Visitor Center:

* The visitor center offers exhibits and information about the park’s history and natural resources.

Location and Contact Information:

* Address: 434 Park Road 67, Comstock, TX 78837

* Phone number: (432) 292-4464

* The park is located off U.S. Route 90, west of Comstock, Texas.

Important Notes:

* Guided canyon tours are typically offered seasonally, so it’s best to check the park’s website or call ahead for availability.

* It is always a good idea to check the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website for the most up to date information regarding park hours, fees, and trail conditions.

Why Visit Seminole Canyon?

Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site offers a truly unique experience. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a history buff, or simply seeking a peaceful escape, this park has something to offer. Its combination of stunning scenery and fascinating cultural heritage makes it a valuable Texas treasure.

Every March the best college wrestlers in the country, get together for the NCAA Wrestling Championships! This tournament is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work for these young men, and only one (in each weight class) can be crowned champion.

This year’s tournament takes place March 20-22nd, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Wells Fargo Center.

In this article we will discuss last year’s 149 lb champion and who the top contenders are for this season.

2024 Champion: Caleb Henson of Virginia Tech entered the tournament as the #4 seed and stormed his way to the title going 5-0, defeating All-Americans Ty Watters, Ridge Lovett, and Austin Gomez in the Finals. He finished the year with a 30-2 record.

This Year’s Contenders: Caleb Henson of Virginia Tech is 18-0, Ridge Lovett of Nebraska is 20-2, Shane Van Ness of Penn State is 20-2, and Kyle Parco of Iowa is 20-3 on the year. All 4 of these wrestlers are capable of winning the whole damn thing.

Other Contenders: Paniro Johnson of Iowa State is 24-3 and is able to hang with anyone in the division. Two of his three loses came at 157, where he also defeated returning NCAA finalist Jacori Teemer.

Dark Horse Contenders: Kannon Webster of the University of Illinois is 14-6 on the year and is capable of pulling some serious upsets. He has defeated Caleb Rathjen, Dylan D’Emilio, and Kyle Parco in his college career as well as his most recent and biggest victory over Shane Van Ness. I have been saying it all season, Webster is the real deal, and has a good chance of landing on the podium in Philadelphia.

2025 NCAA Champion Prediction: Shane Van Ness of Penn State

Every March the best college wrestlers in the country, get together for the NCAA Wrestling Championships! This tournament is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work for these young men, and only one (in each weight class) can be crowned champion.

This year’s tournament takes place March 20-22nd, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Wells Fargo Center.

In this article we will discuss last year’s 141 lb champion and who the top contenders are for this season.

2024 Champion: Jesse Mendez had a dominate NCAA tournament in 2024 going 5-0, with a pin and a tech, in the opening two rounds before defeating three all-Americans and claiming his first championship with a 4-1 victory over Beau Bartlett, to cap a 30-2 season.

This Year’s Contenders: Jesse Mendez of Ohio State, Beau Bartlett of Penn State, and Andrew Alirez of Northern Colorado. Mendez and Alirez have both already claimed NCAA titles, and Bartlett is right in the mix with either of them.

Jesse Mendez: Jesse was a 4X Indiana State champion going 157-1, he also was a U20 World Silver Medalist. At Ohio State he is already a 2x All-American, finishing 6th as a freshman and winning his first NCAA titles as a Sophomore. He is currently 25-3 on the year and ranked 3rd in the country.

Beau Bartlett: Beau had a 177-8 high school record, where he was a 4x national prep champion. At Penn State he is a 4x NCAA qualifier and 2x All-American finishing 2nd and 3rd. He is currently 21-1 and ranked first in the country.

Andrew Alirez: A 4 X Colorado  State Champion, Alirez was the number 1 overall recruit in the class of 2019. Andrew is the returning 2023 NCAA Champion after redshirting last season. In 2023 he was an undefeated 28-0 NCAA Champion. At the NCAA tournament he defeated Beau Bartlett and Real Woods back to back. He is currently 15-1 and ranked #7 in the country.

Other Contenders: Brock Hardy of Nebraska 23-3, Cael Happel of Northern Iowa 24-3, and Vance Vombar of Minnesota 23-4, are all serious contenders. While I don’t see them winning an NCAA title I could see any of them upsetting one of the top 3.

Dark Horse Contenders: I have said this all season Sergio Lemley of Michigan is capable of beating anyone in the bracket. Currently 19-9 on the year and ranked 13th in the country. This kid has the potential to pull off serious upsets, as he has proven against All-Americans Real Woods and Brock Hardy.

2025 NCAA Champion Prediction: Jesse Mendez of Ohio State

Every March the best college wrestlers in the country, get together for the NCAA Wrestling Championships! This tournament is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work for these young men, and only one (in each weight class) can be crowned champion.

This year’s tournament takes place March 20-22nd, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Wells Fargo Center.

In this article we will discuss last year’s 133 lb champion and who the top contenders are for this season.

2024 Champion: Vito Arujau of Cornell captured his second straight NCAA title last season defeating Dayton Fix 5-3 in the finals. Vito also won a senior level world title at 61 kg. He had collegiate wins over Ryan Crookham, as well as NCAA Champions Roman Bravo Young, and Pat Glory.

This Year’s Contenders: Drake Ayala of Iowa, and Lucas Byrd of Illinois, all have had tremendous seasons.  Drake and Byrd are 1-1 against each other this season.

Drake Ayala: The 3X Iowa State champion was an NCAA finalist last year down at 125. The jump to 133 hasn’t seemed to have slowed him down one bit as Drake has had an excellent year. Already defeating the #2 and #3 ranked kids in the class.

Lucas Byrd: A 2X Ohio State Champion, Byrd is already a 2X All-American. Back for his 7th year of college wrestling Byrd has a legit shot of making the finals. Just a few weeks ago Byrd scored a dominant 7-1 win over former Big 10 champion Braeden Davis of Penn State.

Other Contenders: Zeth Romney of Cal Poly 13-4, Tyler Knox of Stanford 24-6, and Braeden  Davis of Penn State 12-5, all have a chance to go far in the tournament. Evan Frost of Iowa State 18-4 has also looked solid this year.

Dark Horse Contenders: Nick Bouzakis of Ohio State is 22-7 and Jacob Van Dee of Nebraska is 14-9. Both of these kids have a chance to make a deep run at the National tournament.

2025 NCAA Champion Prediction: Drake Ayala of Iowa