Among the Wildflowers

2nd of May 2018

While on Facebook, I came across this event that was being put on by the Polk County Conservation of a Wildflowers hike. It was at a county park that I've never heard of: Thomas Mitchell Park in Mitchellville. I asked a friend if she wanted to go, and she was up for it. She likes hiking and flowers. It wasn't what I had expected it to be, but it was still a great time in wonderful weather.

The park is easy to find, and it's very well maintained. Of course, I used Google to get there, but remember that it was my first time there. The park is very beautiful with plenty of water streams and camp areas. It's considered one of the cleanest waters in the state. The trail is one of the better ones I've been on. I only wish that it was longer. It's a peaceful place to go when the stress hits hard. When people are just hard to deal with, this is the place to be. The park is in a bit of an isolated place not too far from Altoona.

On the hike, a Polk County Conservationist led us through the trail showing us the many wildflowers along the trail. There was lots along the way that haven't bloomed yet since Spring took its sweet ass time getting here. According to the conservationist, the flowers should bloom in a week (as of April 29, 2018). He made sure to tell the group that it's illegal to harvest the flower. Which is fine because I've got some in my yard. Along the trail is a grave of a man who requested that he not be moved. It's believed that he wasn't the only one there and that land might have been a cemetery. I forget the story behind the man, but he was part of the reason that park exists today, if I remember correctly.

This was a great experience, and if there are more of these, I will go. It's great exercise, and it's outside. It's one of the many trails that Iowa has, and I hope it stays around for a long time. I fear for the natural lands because people don't take great care of the environment. It's basic habits that are killing the stuff we need. Littering is a big pet peeve of mine. Dumping is one as well. I just wish that people would take better care of the beauty this land still has rather than destroy it.