We hadn't been to see it yet this year, so after leaving Mormon Trail Park we drove up to look at it. (About 12 miles North of Greenfield on Hwy 25. A mile or so South of I-80.)
This is the side facing the highway.
The remembrances left on and near the light pole on the other side of the barrier always intrigue me.
South side, remembering Pat Tillman.
East side.
North side.
There were once working rock quarries on both sides of the gravel road east of the Freedom Rock. (Which is where the massive stone came from.) These two quarry lakes are now so lovely and peaceful.
Chicory and wild oats near a chunk of limestone.
Chicory, wild oats, wild grapevine and limestone.
Chicory, wild oats, Queen Anne's Lace and limestone.
I probably made more studies of the wildflowers and limestone than I did of the Freedom Rock.
My heart resides in Nature.
On the way to the other area of wildflowers the Mormon Trail park ranger had told us about, driving down a gravel road when we saw four, what I thought at first were dogs, running down the road toward us. They turned out to be two does and their fawns.
I was able to get pics of all four, though the fawn in this one is almost hidden by the grasses.
Hoskins Wildlife and Prairie Restoration is one mile North of Nevinville. It was the 120 acre farm of Pete Hoskins which he donated to the Adair County Conservation board in 2010.
The Southeast section of the area seems to have most of the wildflowers.
And lots of birds and birdsong. That little black speck is a Red-winged Blackbird.
I'm not having any luck identifying this bush? tree? The berries are ripening, so hopefully the birds will enjoy eating them.
A farmstead in the background, wildflowers and another view of those berries.
I think the lavender flowers in the middle of the photo are Monarda, aka Bee Balm. Other names are Bergamot and Horse Mint.
It would be interesting to come back here during other seasons of the year to see what is blooming.
As well as on a sunny day when the colors might appear more vibrant. And we could walk through the prairie without getting wet.
Maybe find the 2-acre pond and see what else we might have missed.
Last photo of the trip, taken looking uphill.
There had been a small bird perched on one of the plants but it flew before I got a photo.
I think the tall grass might be Big Bluestem.
It was such a delightful morning. We were gone four hours - not many miles away, but in another realm altogether.
Later in the day I asked Bud what his favorite part of our excursion had been. He said: "Seeing all the changes at Mormon Trail Park."
"Really? That was my favorite part too."
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