Acres Along the Wabash, Wells County

http://www.acreslandtrust.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=44551&PID=635743

      A week or so ago, the kids and I ventured over to Wells county to visit Acres Along the Wabash nature preserve.  As the name implies, the entire southern edge of this preserve borders the Wabash River.  It makes for some very scenic hiking!  

A view of the Wabash River from atop a tree-lined bluff.
Overlooking the river, it's easy to imagine a time when Native Americans roamed this land, and white explorers paddled down this river. 

We weren't the only ones visiting the river today!  

Calm waters today.
The lack of rain lately made it possible for us to venture out to the
middle of the river and rest on a stoney "island." 

      Although it's hard to imagine any explorers paddling down the river today (they'd have to carry their canoe most of the time), we did find some enormous trees that we decided are probably old enough to have been growing here when Native Americans called this area home.

Old trees have a way of making us feel small!
Tree trunks grow thicker every year by adding a new ring of growth.  New growth takes
 place in the cambium, the soft layer of tissue between the wood and bark of trees.
This tree has many, many growth rings, I am sure!

      Many of Indiana's forest tree species, like oaks, sycamores, maples, and elms, have lifespans of an average of 200 years.  And since the Native Americans occupied this area until 1846 (166 years ago), it is very conceivable that these trees shared this land with the Miami tribes who lived along the Wabash River. 

Hank found 3 trees in one!
Actually, there's a name for this!  When trees become conjoined during growth, it's called inosculation.  The trees first grow separately, but very close to each other. As they add growth
rings and become wider, the trees eventually touch. At this point, the bark on the touching surfaces is gradually abraded away as the trees move in the wind and rub against each other.  Once the cambium of the trees touch, they self-graft and grow together.  

    While playing down at the river, Hank found the shell of a river mussel. It is not uncommon to find dozens of these freshwater shells littering the banks of the Wabash. 

Mussels are simple creatures kept safe by two oblong shells connected by a hinge.  
There are 47 different freshwater mussel species found in Indiana, of which 24 are
 considered federally or locally endangered.  

      I love it when I find similarities in unrelated things, especially naturally occurring things.  It's God's little treat for me.  I love how these fungi and flowers resemble the shape of the mussel shell...

Turkey Tail fungi is a type of decay fungus,  feeding on rotten wood.  

These dry flower husks also resemble the mussel shell shape.

As usual, down every path we found many interesting shape patterns and textures in the foliage:

I love how these leaves appear to be lined up, one in front of the other.

We were thankful for a cooling breeze on this hot day.
 You can see evidence of the breeze in these blowing leaves.

Compound leaves, small and brilliant green

Patterns even appear in the shadows!

      We enjoyed our time at Acres Along the Wabash.  If you ever find yourself in Wells county, you should stop by for a stroll through Indiana's natural splendor!  By the way, just a few roads over is another Acres preserve, Anna Brand Hammer.  Guess where we're heading next?   See you there!

Tel-Hy, Huntington County

     Our latest jaunt through nature has taken us to a nature preserve called Tel-Hy in Huntington County. 

http://www.acreslandtrust.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=44551&PID=635640

     This preserve is situated on the Wabash River. The trail we decided to hike ran along the top of a bluff, destined for the banks of the Wabash.  As soon as Hank learned there was a river to visit, I could see his mental wheels start turning...

Occasionally we could glimpse a peek of the glistening river below...enough to seriously heighten Hank's anticipation of throwing rocks into the water, one of his favorite 5 year old pastimes.

At this point Hank was ready to abandon the trail and run straight for the water!  Oh the possibilities  of an unspoiled riverbank...rocks, mud, sticks, water! Those who know my son will appreciate the potential these things have as fodder for his imagination.

     I, on the other hand, was in no hurry to reach the river bank, as delightful as it promised to be.  I was perfectly happy to leisurely amble along, becoming lost in the visual spectacle of natural Indiana.  

                                                                              Canadian wild ginger or Snakeroot. 

 Native Americans used this plant as a seasoning due to its similarity to true ginger.  However, we now know that wild ginger should not be used as a substitute for real ginger because it contains an unknown concentration of the carcinogen aristolochic acid.  Yikes!

     What kept creeping into my consciousness (and into my viewfinder) was the prevalence of visual patterns around me.  The plant life on the woodland floor (and ceiling) was flourishing, but still young and small enough as to not overwhelm each other, allowing my camera to capture some very pleasing natural patterns.

I love these backlit Maple leaves.  

"We artists have been affected by patterns in nature since day one.  Every line we lay to paper and every move we make is part of the magical sequence." ~Kristi Bridgeman
http://www.kristibridgeman.com/

I am intrigued by the smaller yellow plants visible behind their surrounding big brothers.   Unfortunately,  I've seen many yellowed foliage plants lately due to Indiana's alarming unseasonal dryness. 

     After a go-zillion photos, and just as Hank was about to burst with impatience...

     We arrived at the long-anticipated Wabash River where there was much rock-skipping, mud-writing, stick-swinging, and even a little "Mom-I-accidentally-fell-in"-ing.  

Great fun was had by all!   

Back up the bluff, post river romp.

     After our playdate with the river, we headed back up the bluff.  Our last stop before we headed home...Tel-Hy's privy display. That's right, this preserve features a collection of interesting outhouses. 

This brings back memories of my childhood.  My family always took a summer vacation to the hills of West Virginia where  I couldn't wait to visit my great aunt Kate and Uncle Josh.  They lived in a log cabin and, by choice, used no electricity or modern plumbing.  They heated their cabin with fire in the fireplace and wood stove, pumped water by hand, and when nature called...it was answered with a trip to the outhouse.

I love the rusted tin roof and star cut-out of this old privy.

Now here's a classy john!

Isn't the woodworked detailing so charming?  

An A-frame outhouse, what a great idea! Imagine all the extra space inside for your stash of magazines.

A day at the river will certainly make a young man tired!  (And his mom!)

      We look forward to another great adventure very soon...stay tuned for our adventures in Miami County!