2022 January 7 - Two walks on a snowy day at Hofma Preserve and Stearns Creek Park

Wednesday January 5, 2022, Ottawa County Michigan and surrounding areas were under a Winter Storm Warning.  The morning was clear, in the afternoon the snow started falling and kept coming for the next two days.  There were breaks in the snowstorm and the sun would peek out at times.  I'm not sure what the total snowfall amount for our area was but last night at Stearns Creek Park the snow was more than 18 inches deep on the trail.

Yesterday I was lucky to go on two walks.  One in the morning at Hofma Preserve with my daughter and one in the evening with Mike at Stearns Creek Park.

First Hofma Preserve.  I really like walking here.  It has so many different features like the float bridge that takes you over Pottawattomie Bayou to Hofma Park, the overlook tower, and the addition of an old tree farm.  There are miles of trails and so many interesting places.

If you look closely, you can see the float bridge in the picture above.

We named this the Barred Owl trail, we have seen the owl here twice.  We actually saw it fly off yesterday while we were near the swampy area.  Sometimes you might hear its "Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all" call. 

Stearns Creek Park walk was in the evening, it took over an hour to walk two miles through the deep snow.  When we got back to the car it was getting dark so not many pictures.  The snow was up past my knees (18 inches +) and on some trails, no one had walked on them since the fresh batch of snow.

No tracks on the trail.  It is difficult to tell but believe me it was a lot of work walking through this beautiful snow.  Also, very peaceful.

It was a good day to be outside. The temperature was around 20 degrees F. and very little wind.   I hope you enjoyed the walks.

October 2018 First Three Adventures

October 2
An adventure to Crockery Creek Natural Area, Ottawa County Park.

This very old, very big oak tree greets you at the start of your walk. 

This really was October 2nd, although the leaves look spring green.

We found a violet blooming! 

We also found Touch-Me-Not blooming, and Wild Basil, Indian Tobacco, asters, goldenrod, dandelion, Heal All...

 Wild Lily of the Valley

 This adventure was with Marie, so we checked out a few places off the main trail. 

 The lighter colored water is Crockery Creek, and the darker water is a swampy area.

   

 I know that is a lot of photos for one trip but what can I say... I really left many photos out.
Again lots of pictures... This was October 5th starting at Hofma Preserve, a Grand Haven Township Park located at 16295 Sleeper St..  Hofma Preserve has 446 acres with approximately 4.5 miles of trails, an 885 foot floating bridge, 17 space parking area and a restroom. 

 I went alone on this walk and even though I didn't like crossing the 885 foot floating bridge, by myself twice, I did.  I had a very nice walk!  Sometimes I surprise myself. 

Most of the red leaves were maples and tupelo trees.  It was a warm and humid day.

 Safely back to the parking area.  I was walking for 1 1/2 hours and never saw another person!  

It was October 8th, Betsy and I walked at Kirk Park.  Ottawa County Park.

We started off in the woods, soon I was seeing different sorts of fungus.

I'm not sure what these are... 

 And these?  Maybe Dead Man's Fingers?

Then the stairs, up and down over the dunes.

 

 Lake Michigan

That's all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.