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.

Crockery Creek Natural Area - Ottawa County Michigan



October 28 2019  The morning was foggy to start, the sun came out and cleared the fog.  The first picture was taken when we arrived, the second picture was about an hour later.

 

 

Each and every year I totally enjoy the Fall colors!  This has been a good year for those colors, lasting from the end of September right through to the end of October.  Even on rainy days the bright yellow leaves, still on the trees and the ones already on the ground, light up the trail.  It really is amazing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 Crockery Creek Natural Area is owned by Ottawa County.  The 331-acre natural area includes frontage on both the Grand River and Crockery Creek.  About two miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails meander along the creek, mature wooded ridges, floodplain forest, open hardwoods, wet meadows and buttonbush swamps.

Bass River Recreation Area

September 9, 2019
I took myself for a walk at Bass River Recreation Area to check on the beautiful Bottle Gentian and I found them blooming. 

 

 



And the white variety...

I also found the Nodding Ladies Tresses blooming along with some other pretty flowers.