Gorgeous Oxen at The Homeplace

Exciting! The Land Between the Lakes begins it’s regular 2016 season today and I, for one, am over the moon. I’ve missed everything about the LBL in the off season – from the Homeplace and Elk & Bison Prairie to the beautiful scenery along the trace to the Woodlands Nature Station.  Land Between the Lakes Recreational Area is one of the most special places on earth and easily one of my favorite places to lose myself.

Bobcat at the Woodlands Nature Station

Below is a news release from the LBL:

Upcoming Events in the Land Between the Lakes!

March 3-31 (Wed-Sun) 10am-4pm – Smokehouse Magic: Smoking the Pork – HOMEPLACE 1850s
Follow your nose to the smokehouse. Peek inside and smell the rich aroma as the green hickory wood works its magic on the salted pork hanging above the swirling gray smoke. The rich smoke will put the finishing touches on the family’s pork supply.

Thursday, March 3 3:30-3:50pm – Dinnertime for Bald Eagle – NATURE STATION
Visit with our resident bald eagle at her dinnertime and discover her secrets of survival. Also, find out about the successful bald eagle recovery project that brought this majestic bird back from the brink of extinction in this area.

Friday, March 4 3:30-3:50pm – Help Us Feed the Deer! – NATURE STATION
It’s time to give the deer their daily treats, and you can help! Join us to feed the deer some of their favorite fruits and veggies and learn more about these cautious creatures. This is the best time to get a good look at the Nature Station’s resident deer, since they often approach closely at feeding time.

Saturday, March 5 11am-2pm – Making Pork Sausage – HOMEPLACE 1850s
Ideal for Home Educators.
From the head to toe, hogs were one of the most versatile animals on the farm. Today the ladies will be working hard in the kitchen to make sure the “scrap meat” is put to good use. Don’t be surprised if they put you to work turning the handle on the grinder.

2:30-3:15pm – Opening Weekend Feast for the Animals – NATURE STATION
Come watch the bobcat, deer, opossum, and more enjoy a feast to celebrate our first weekend of the spring season. Who ordered the mouse tacos with a side of crickets?

3:30-3:50pm – Dinnertime for Red Wolves – NATURE STATION
Who’s hungry like a wolf? Our red wolves, of course! Visit with our red wolves, one of the most endangered mammals in the United States, and watch them “wolf” down a tasty treat. Find out what scientists are doing to bring them back from the brink of extinction.

Sunday, March 6 11am-3pm – Beginning and End of Tobacco – HOMEPLACE 1850s
Tobacco is a year-long crop. Visit the tobacco barn where the tobacco is being stripped, graded, and tied into hands for market. Meanwhile visit the Tool Barn field where plant beds are being burned in preparation for sowing the year’s tobacco seed. It’s nonstop work for this cash crop at the Homeplace.

11:30am-12pm – Snake Feeding Sundays – NATURE STATION Every Sunday in March.
Most of us enjoy a nice Sunday brunch and so do our snakes! In fact, Sunday brunch is their only meal of the week! Come watch as our rattlesnake, kingsnake, rat snake, and more chow down their mouse-alicious meal. You’ll even get to meet one of the snakes up close! Bring your camera for a snake selfie!

2-2:30pm – Knee-High Naturalists: Camouflaged Critters – NATURE STATION
Ideal for home educators.
Discover nature with your young naturalist! Join us for a story, a craft, and up-close encounter with a live animal in a program designed especially for preschoolers. Different topics each Sunday: March 6: Camouflaged Critters; March 13: Incredible Insects;
March 20: Terrific Turtles; Easter Sunday, March 27: Habits of Rabbits

3:30-4pm – Mystery Animal Encounter – NATURE STATION
Meet one of the resident animals up close, but only after you guess who it is! We’ll give you several clues and see if you can name that critter. Then enjoy a close encounter with this mystery animal and learn how it survives in nature. You might even win a prize!

{Continued Below Sugar Bay…}

Sugar Bay, Land Between the Lakes 

Land Between the Lakes Campgrounds

All Land Between The Lakes Campgrounds are open daily, including Energy Lake, Hillman Ferry, Piney, and Wranglers Campgrounds. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance and no less than 24 hours from arrival date. To make a reservation go to https://www.usedirect.com/CampLBL/ Campsites are also available on a first-come first-served basis. We also have several backcountry areas for those who like a more rustic camping experience. Land Between The Lakes is the perfect place to sleep under the stars!

Open Wednesdays through Sundays in March:

• 1850’s Homeplace
• Nature Station
• North and South Welcome Stations