Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Aman Park in Ottawa County Michigan

March 10, 2014  Marie and I took at ride to Aman Park, and found the trails easy to walk on even though they are still packed with snow.  We had a wonderful sunny day, in the 40's.  This was the first day like this, so far this year!
Here's a peek at Aman.
 Coming up to the northern bridge
 Sand Creek was froze here.
The sycamore trees really stood out.  After crossing the bridge we took the blue trail toward the north end of the park, no wildflowers.  We sat for a while and listen to all the birds singing.  The sun felt good. 
 Sand Creek.  We spent 2 1/2 hours at Aman and walked around 2 miles.  We didn't walk the trail that follows all along the creek, which is my favorite, because there was no trail in the snow.  There is still a couple of feet of snow on the ground.
  
 
 Southern bridge at Aman with a good 18 inches of snow pack on it.
 
 Well we didn't see any start of a wildflower at Aman. So for a sure sighting of the first spring wildflower, we made our way to Hemlock Crossing.  Here is a good place to find Skunk Cabbage.
 
 Pigeon River at Hemlock Crossing
 First wildflower for Marie and I in Michigan for 2014, Skunk Cabbage!
 
Pigeon River
I've been pretty comfortable at home, with a book in front of the fire this winter, but this was a perfect day to be outside.  Thanks, Marie.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was a great day, our first of many this year! Blue skies, sunshine, and beautiful trees. They're just big plants, you know. We "saw" a ton of wildflowers in our mind's eye. I thoroughly enjoyed our walk. Thanks for the memories. M :)

Anonymous said...

First wildflower of the season! How exciting! What a pretty day! :)

Mike said...

Hi Chris and Marie. Quite a winter, eh? Maple City here in Leelanau has recorded close to 250" of snow this year.

The photos from Big Bend are terrific.

We are talking about going down to Tennessee to get a head start on the wild flower season and thaw out.

Plants Amaze Me said...

Hi Mike and Cathy, Yes quite a winter! I sort of enjoyed it. Mike and I walked 2 1/2 miles every night from November through mid February, even when the temperature was 0 and the wind chill well below 0. Then we went to Texas and it was unseasonably warm in Big Bend. Marie and I found a hepatica blooming in Allegan County on March 31! If you go to southern Michigan, or Dowagiac Woods, Trillium Ravine, let us know what is happening there if you can, would you? Good luck in Tennessee, hope to see you on the trail soon!
:-)

Plants Amaze Me said...

Thanks, Pink Next time you can come along!
:)

Plants Amaze Me said...

M :) Trees are just big plants indeed, next week we will see more wildflowers!
:)

Mike said...

We will definitely keep you posted on what we see when we pass through southern Michigan. That Hepatica blossom was a great find!

Mike

Plants Amaze Me said...

Mike I can't wait to hear about what's blooming in southern Michigan! I'm sure something will be blooming there. Thanks.