On Monday at 11, I took my Jeep to a local garage to have the oil changed and the tires rotated. The mechanic asked if I would pick it up later, or whether I’d wait, adding the job would take an hour.
I decided to stay in the area and take a walk. It turned out to be my favorite jaunt of the year.
The garage was almost directly across the street from Battle Creek Regional Park, a true gem. I’d been in the park a number of times before, but not in this particular section.
Battle Creek Regional Park consists of 1,840 acres of natural area located just outside a highly developed urban environment. Extensive areas of woods, wetlands, and grassland attract many species of wildlife. Trails offer visitors the opportunity to see many species of wildlife including deer, fox, herons, egrets and hawks, along with the beauty of the natural plant communities.
Although we moved to St. Paul thirty years ago, I haven’t lost my taste for desolate places. Monona County, Iowa remains very much in my blood.
For a Monday at midday, the park was far from deserted. Still, there were some long stretches when I had the trails all to myself. (I estimate my hike was 3 miles.)
The birch trees conjured up the voice of Robert Frost, whittling away on his poem.
Frost wasn’t my only companion, Brother Lawrence came alongside me at one point.
This haunting scene made my think of the lonely tree that changed his life.
The weather was perfect for a long walk: 52 degrees, with the sun playing hide-n-seek behind the clouds. I wore a flannel shirt, taking no jacket along. I started off with gloves, but as my blood got flowing, I shed them. My favorite moment lay just ahead.
Such are the adventures of a dull man. Wonders await us all, just around the bend, sometimes even in our backyards.
I'm sure your not a dull man.
Great pics hopefully next time you’ll get to see some wildlife 🌲🍁