Clifty Falls State Park, Shades State Park, Turkey Run State Park, Potato Creek State Park

Each year a group of my buddies dedicate one long weekend to a mountain biking trip. We've ventured to Door County and La Crosse, but generally, we trek off to Kettle Moraine Southern Unit in Wisconsin.

The summer of 2003 proved to be a hoot. The usual suspects could not make the dates we had planned. So, my cousin Brian and I were the only two to venture out. We decided to something different; France Park in north central Indiana.

The weekend we arrived happened to be about 9 days after a horrendous thunderstorm. This storm was so powerful that it swept away a portion of the roadway going to three of the primitive campsites. A van full of campers had to get across the road in the bucket of a pay loader. They left their vehicle and gear behind and had to get a ride home.

The following weekend a portion of the park was still closed, namely the mountain bike trails and a section of the Frisbee golf course.

Friday morning the weather was perfect. Fighter jets from some air base flew high above us, practicing their routines. They were visible at times with a descent break in the clouds.

We were camped in one of the primitive sections which contained about 5 sites. Their was no one else in the vicinity, so we enjoyed about 2 acres to ourselves. Upon arriving back, my cousin discovered something very unusual on the edge of the site. Curled up, sunning itself was a Boa Constrictor!

This snake was about six feet in length, with a good sized lump in its middle (prey). Apparently, a lot of the woodland creatures in the area weren't too familiar with a Boa Constrictor!

By the afternoon, I decided to check in with work. I couldn't get a signal with my cell phone, so I went to the front office to the Pay Phone. As I hung up the girl at the front office was describing our guest to someone on the phone. Turns out the County Animal Control Officer camps at France Park and was there that weekend. He was in the primitive site campground looking for the reptile.

We weren't sure whether notification of our find was of major importance at the time, but after hearing the Ranger discussing it with the Control Officer, it was pretty much inevitable.

I explained that the Boa was camping with us, and to my shock, the Ranger actually did not believe me! Apparently, this snake had been missing for almost a week, and was not found after many extensive searches. She found it hard to believe that with all the searching over the past few days, we literally stumbled upon it.

The owners lived about an hour away, and were immediately on their way when notified. When they arrived they were shocked to see how much bigger it had grown in one weeks time. Apparently, snakes will eat as long as food is in front of them. At this place, it must have thought it was at Old Country Buffet.

Turns out a reward was offered for finding it. My cousin and I split $100.00 bucks.

That night the sound of raccoons rummaging through our site could be heard. They must have seen the Boa leaving and figured it was back to business as usual.

Nice state park. Hiking around Worster Lake is about 8 miles. Three of these miles are on a paved road, unless you feel adventurous and follow the shoreline around. I prefer the shoreline.


Worster Lake	Bob's Mini Fire	Near the Boat Rental	East Side of Worster Lake

George Wilson Disc Golf Course- Mishawaka Fun course. Great balance of hilly and flat shots. Disc rental available. Costs $3.00 for out of state residents.

Very nice park. A variety of trails, from moderate to many trails with a lot of vertical gain.

	Tunnel Falls.

	View from Observation Tower overlooking Madison.

	Cave Entrance

	We found this guy wedged between two rocks near the creek.

	Park Map