Our expedition this past week set us up in Prophetstown State Park. This is the third time in the past seven or eight years that we have gone to this "newest" of Indiana State Parks. The park is some 3000 acres at the confluence of the Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers. The goal in establishing the park was to recreate an ecology which consisted of the flora native to the area prior to the arrival of white settlers. Thus it is now one of the finest examples of a tall-grass prairie to be found anywhere. Great pains have been taken to remove non-native trees and other plants and replace them with native species.
It has been interesting to watch the return of the land to a prairie. Many areas over which one could have walked a few years ago are now densely covered with grasses and prairie flowers five and six feet tall.
Contained within the park is Historic Prophetstown, which is a 300-acre working farm. But the farm is managed in the style of early twentieth century farming. Draft horses do the work, cows and chickens and hogs provide produce and the farm raises feed for its own livestock. The only crop raised which is sent to outside market is wheat.
6 comments:
Interesting. Why do we just naturally long for the past?
Oh, that looks nice there. Is there a wooded area for camping? We'll have to check that out if it is good camping.
I think we long for the past because, in retrospect, it seems sure. At the time, it seemed mighty unsure - we didn't know what was around the bend. But hindsight has resolved all such worries.
Vee, atavism?
Lin, the electric campground is pretty much in the open, as the trees are not yet mature enough to provide much shade. The "full service" camping areas do have shade. There is also a waterpark and nice bike trails. Otherwise, not so much to do. Make your own fun. There were several tent campers near us.
Jim, you may be onto something. There is no doubt: we are not going to change the past. (Although the "spin doctors" earn their livelihoods trying.)
What a lovely place, lovely post.
Shelly, calm and peaceful surroundings, good friends. Good times.
Post a Comment