President Lyndon Johnson approved the act to make Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and writer Carl Sandburg's last house a national historic site in 1968. The Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara started in 1988 as a volunteer support group to promote the historical, scientific, literary, educational and interpretive activities of the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site.To accomplish this mission the Friends stage community events and raise funds to support the diverse needs of the property. Government funding can only accomplish so much Part of the work to preserve and promote the legacy of Carl Sandburg and the park takes place in maintaining the more than five miles of trails on the 264 acres on the historic site - the best spot for dog-walking in Henderson County. Looking for a quick leg-stretcher with your dog? We have it - an easy exploration on the Front Lake Loop. It is barely a half-mile around and so pretty your dog will demand to do it twice.Looking for a woodlands doggie ramble? We have it with the Memminger Trail and the Little Glassy Mountain Trail that combines gravel roads with smooth dirt paths. The 2,426-foot mountain abounds with Lady Slipper's orchids in the spring.Looking for a spirited canine hike that will set your dog's tongue to panting? Tackle the wide, smooth incline path to the top of 2,783-foot Glassy Mountain. It is a 623-foot gain in elevation in 1.5 miles to the views on the exposed rock faces. Halfway up the mountain, exactly where a refreshment stand would be ideally situated, comes a dammed creek reservoir that forms an ideal canine swimming hole. Yes, the Carl Sandburg National Historic Site is a special place to hike with your dog - but there are other special places to enjoy nearby as well we want to introduce you to. So grab your leash and hit the trail to see...