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The climate was nearly spring like after I hiked this week in a small, distant place within the Hoosier National Forest. I had visited this place earlier than and was trying ahead to mountain climbing there once more.
The Hoosier National forest has 202,814 acres of land and Maines Pond and the 5 acres it sits on is a part of that.
Maines Pond is a small pond that can be a wildlife viewing space. It’s positioned off of Houston Road simply 15 miles south of Nashville throughout the Brown County line and into Jackson County.
The pond is surrounded by open grasslands, thickets of brush and cedars, and patches of small timber. And after all, a fairly sizable forest.
Prairie grasses and wildflowers are considerable within the spring and summer time. This attracts meadowlarks, bluebirds, sparrows, quail, and different birds to the world within the spring as effectively.
This time of 12 months, within the winter, occasional water fowl is perhaps current. Also deer and different heat blooded animals are about. The pond is in the midst of a forest the place the wildlife stay. You by no means know what you would possibly see. The forestry permits dispersed tenting close to the pond. (Dispersed tenting is anyplace within the National Forest outdoors of a chosen campground).
I used to be in my factor on the afternoon I arrived at this place. It was a sunny day and I used to be very glad to be outdoors mountain climbing within the heat temperatures.
Indiana is deep into the useless of winter and the grey colours of the panorama round me solely confirmed this.
I observed a path that began by the gate at a small parking space, that went up the hill and opened up into an enormous meadow with a small, one acre pond.
When I bought to the highest of the hill, I used to be pleasantly shocked by how lovely the pond was.
The blue tint of the water match the sky overhead, because it mirrored off the floor of the pond.
I started following a path throughout the small dam of the pond.
Dried grasses lined the perimeters of the water. I attempted to think about how inexperienced the whole lot would look in the summertime.
I continued mountain climbing, following the paths across the pond and over by way of the woods. I examined the campsites that I got here throughout.
I listened to woodpeckers off within the distance, pecking on outdated rotting timber. I heard the faint sound of an owl hooting, deep down within the forest.
I noticed a hawk fly overhead. I believed to be a Red-tailed hawk. Probably in search of its lunch.
Other than that, it was utterly quiet, and I had the place to myself. I used to be getting a a lot wanted retreat on this little bit of nature that I had discovered. Maines Pond is certainly one of a number of wildlife ponds that the forest service oversees. The areas are managed to offer meals and canopy for wildlife — mainly wildlife habitats. I so loved my time at this particular place. I plan to go to among the different HNF wildlife ponds within the close to future. It’s an effective way to spend a day!
The dispersed tenting is free and fishing is allowed. It’s actually an attractive spot for slightly getaway.
To get to this place: From Nashville, Indiana, take freeway 46 East in direction of Columbus. When you come to SR 135, flip proper and comply with to Houston highway. The parking space shall be on the proper and an indication with the numbers 4646000.
A quote to your week: “It’s not so much for it’s beauty that the forest makes a claim upon a men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit”. – Robert Louis Stevenson – Scottish Novelist, Essayist, Poet, Travel author. 1850-1894. Until the subsequent path, Susan
Susan Anderson is a resident of Owen County who enjoys mountain climbing and backpacking and writes a weekly column about her experiences. Readers can attain her through e mail at [email protected] or on Instagram @farsideoftheedge.
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