Day 91: We arrived at Turkey Run State Park with enough time before dark for a three-hour exploration of part of the park’s rugged and beautiful hiking trail network. Trails wind through dramatic canyons, with jagged sandstone walls and overhangs.
The coolness and moisture in these canyons harbor an ecosystem usually found only much farther north. The surrounding woods have many towering old-growth hardwoods, such as tulip trees, black walnuts, beech, and oak, whose broad trunks are very straight and tall. The very wide tulip tree logs used in the old cabin preserved at the park attest to the stately size of the trees found by the American pioneers.
Day 92: We had the Farm Heritage Rail Trail mostly to ourselves on a beautiful late summer afternoon, with a cool breeze and a few crunchy leaves under our bike tires. The trail is very straight and lined with deciduous trees, with farmland along either side. There is a nice art gallery where we accessed the trail in Thorntown.
Day 93: Today we visited with all of Amy’s Johnson relatives: Doug & Casey, Ed & MeiZhen, Merrillyn, and Uncle Merrill & Aunt Irene. Butterfly enthusiast Doug led us on a walk through some of the trails he has developed in the 25-acres of woods behind their house, pointing out not only several butterfly species, but also a wide variety of local plants that were unfamiliar to us New Englanders.
Ed & MeiZhen (“Amy”) entertained us with descriptions and pictures of their recent trip to Hawaii and some tasty Chinese home cooking. Walking around their lovely neighborhood it was sad to see that all of the beautiful old ash trees are dying and have to be cut down because of the emerald ash borer infestation.
As usual, this journal is so much fun to read and view. On this segment, we were particularly intrigued by the log cabin built with Tulip tree boards. We didn’t know they grew to these sizes – wow. Also noticed that you are approaching the east coast and home. Can’t wait to see you and pester you for details.
Such a beautiful trip you are having! It’s so nice to see these pictures.
Thanks for the vicarious pleasure of accompanying you both on this amazing journey! Can’t wait to hear all about it. It’s inspiring and plan to do something similar when I retire.