SERVING HENDRICKS COUNTY SINCE 1847
The Republican
Page 6
Voices
ASK MR. TRAFFIC
Exploring Hendricks County
By Chet Skwarcan, PE, President/ Founder of Traffic Engineering, Inc. Chet@TrafficEngineering.com
By Jackie Horn
Name that trail! A guide to McCloud Nature Park’s trail system lists the names of the trails, as well as symbols that are posted along the different paths.
I’ll say it quietly so as not to jinx it, “SPRING IS HERE!” Oh, we may still get a freeze (I don’t feel confident of being frostfree until Mother’s Day) but I am optimistic. This past week John and I made it up to McCloud Nature Park near North Salem and the wildflowers were amazing! It was a gorgeous day, sunny and warm with a Bluebells are among the breeze. Several others spring flowers at McCloud. were taking advantage of the day to enjoy McCloud as well. We saw families hiking, a home school group studying and a few brave souls wading in the creek. (That water had to be cold!) While tadpoles are cool, I love plants. Spring ephemeral wildflowers are my favorite and this was the place to be.
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Fox Chase Trail at McCloud Nature Park.
At the end of the bridge, the trails split off. Taking the right fork we began climbing a hill, a long, steep hill. At the top, the trail changes names from Big Walnut Crossing to Fox Chase. On the left is an old farm field that’s been planted with trees. On the right is the slope of a deep ravine. There before us was all the beauty of an early spring day. Redbud trees edged the woods. Dame’s Rocket, Blood Root, Spring Beauty, and Trout Lily covered the ground. Bird songs filled the air. Does it get any better? We continued walking and Fox Chase connects with Woodland Way. Woodland Way Trail rings a reforested field. We stayed on it a short distance before Whitetail Ravine Trail broke off to the right. Whitetail Ravine Trail begins as a steep, graded limestone road. At the bottom of the ravine, the path flattens and meanders through a new growth forest alongside Big Walnut Creek. The trail was damp and deer tracks in the mud reminded us why it’s named “Whitetail Ravine”. Here Buckeye trees and Virginia Bluebells were blooming. A buckeye tree getting ready Too soon the loop ended to bloom. and the trail returned us to the limestone road. It’s an easy walk down but this road is the only way back to the parking lot unless a hiker feels like wading the creek. In summer when the water level is lower, there are a few places that can be crossed and used as a shortcut, but not this day. The water was too deep to rock hop and too chilly to wade up to my thighs. Up we went, huffing and puffing.
Imagine — No Traffic Problems Dream or Nightmare? I visited a community recently that was not experiencing growing pains. There were no new restaurants, no new houses, no new retail, and as far as I could tell, no plans for anything. But, the good news? No traffic problems! The great thing about living in a dormant community is it’s super easy to drive anywhere. Granted, not too many places to go, but, it sure is easy to get around. On the contrary, it doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to realize growing communities create increased traffic. If a community is desirable, and new restaurants, new retail, and new houses are appearing (e.g., if you moved there), increased traffic is a natural by-product. For some, increased traffic is a good excuse to find fault with new development (if you’re looking for excuses). For others, increased traffic is a good excuse to maintain roadway plans (if you’re looking for an excuse to remain an inviting and attractive community). But if you do not wish to grow, well, I guess any excuse will do. Bottom line, a community is either growing and desirable (traffic increases) or it’s not (traffic decreases). So, what comes first? Is it the chicken or the egg? They both come first — shouldn’t have one without the other (and probably don’t want one without the other). The rate of growth and the rate of roadway improvements both fluctuate (and seldom coincide), thus, it is important roadway plans be ongoing. It doesn’t take a brain scientist to understand the value of having a plan. A plan means eventually (and occasionally) everything makes sense... ______________________________________________
A Squirrel About Town By Archy
John and I chose the White Tail Ravine Trail to hike. Parking in the lot in front of the Nature Center, John and I popped in to say a quick “hello” to the turtles and snake exhibited and grabbed a map. Walking past the pines and picnic gazebo behind the building, we skirted the Arboretum and crossed the truss bridge spanning Big Walnut Creek. Of course, we had to stop on the bridge to check the water flow, spot fish, and take a selfie.
Jackie and John met other folks seeking some time with nature at McCloud. Above, Adam, Stephanie, and Sadie Burdsall. (Sadie is the one with the chew stick. ____________________________________________________
The Nielson family enjoyed their day at McCloud Nature Park. ____________________________________________________
View from Eagle Aerie Overlook.
John and I backtracked to the intersection of Fox Chase, Woodland Way, and Coyote Ridge trails. Wanting to see something different, we opted for Coyote Ridge to the Overlook trail. From the three overlooks, Eagle Aerie, Pileated Peak, and Cardinal Perch, we could see the bend in the creek below and the wetland boardwalk and observation area. Coyote Ridge joins with the Big Walnut Crossing which returned us to the bridge and where we started. By the time this article is published, the Trout Lilies and Bluebells will be gone. We only get to enjoy them for a short time. The good news is there will be others. The Dutchmen’s Britches, Mayapples, Solomon’s Seal, and Woodland Poppies are just waiting for their turns to show off. McCloud Nature Park is located at 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem. For more about Hendricks County Parks & Recreation, visit hendrickscountyparks.org. ______________________________________________
I sat down next to the squirrel on the south side of the court house yard for a casual conversation. “Whadda ya know, Archy?” I began. “I know how the grass feels softest in April when you scamper across it,” he answered. “I know how the early spring flowers are so optimistic they don’t mind sharing the world with the snow. I know how the leaves budding on the trees turn an electric green as they first begin to open. I know the difference between the sun and shade changes with the seasons.” I realized the difference between a casual greeting and a rhetorical question wasn’t always obvious to squirrels. “You left that door wide open,” Archy chuckled. Don’t you think it would be a good exercise for all of us to stop and realize all the little things we know.” I started making a mental list. Making a knot in the thread before I sew by looping it around my finger and rubbing with my thumb. Baking a pie using leftover biscuits, milk, and sugar. How to tie a miller’s knot on a sack of feed. I know when I forget computer shortcut keys my fingers can remember them. I know that in fourth grade I learned the mneomic trick for spelling arithmetic: A Rat In The House Might Eat The Ice Cream. “Knowledge comes in all sizes,” Archy said. “Even the small things have importance. Like poetry, even a word or phrase can carry as much meaning than an entire book. Makes you think, doesn’t it?” I looked at the squirrel and realized that I knew the angle his head tilted when he was thinking and the way he rose up like a periscope when he heard a noise. “That’s your assignment,” he laughed. “Make a list of the things you know - about people and about life.” ______________________________________________
