Seeing the great outdoors

If you are looking for a day out but don’t want to venture too far, look no further than the Hoosier National Forest.

Just on the outskirts of Bloomington lies this 200,000 acre forest, where visitors can go camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing and hunting.

One of the landmark spots of the national forest is the Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower. The tower is 110 feet tall, made of steel and has 123 metal steps — which make for a long and tiresome climb. But once at the top, there is a full view of the forest.

According to the Hoosier National Forest website, the Hickory Ridge Tower was built in 1936 and used for fire detection until the 1970s. Today, however, it is a tribute to its builders and is the last lookout tower remaining in the Hoosier National Forest.

Although the Hickory Ridge Tower is a popular spot to visit, many people go to the park for camping.

Gil Manco  along with four of his friends and two dogs, came to the site for a camping trip to have some “serious bonding" from Indianapolis. He and his buddies said they like the campground because it is rugged and free of charge.

“What’s better than shitting in the woods?” Manco said.

Others are lured to the park for its hiking trails.

Dave and Leslie Caulk of Plainfield, Ind., and Dave Driggers of Anderson, Ind., went on a trail that leads to the Terrill Cemetery — a leisurely one with a couple of hills and a rugged path.

While they went on their hike, they saw black snakes and were rained on, but Dave Caulk said, “We survived, and it was a great experience.”

Caulk and Driggers came to the national forest for their newly founded “Double D Hiking Club,” which stands for Dave and Dave.

“We wanted to take pictures for our newsletter,” Driggers said.

 — Alyssa Goldman