The Bear Went Over the Mountain

The bear went over the mountain. 

The bear went over the mountain. 

The bear went over the mountain

To see what he could see.

Sometimes we all need to get out and see what is on the other side of the mountain. Our unseasonably warm weather was the impetus for a field trip over a few hills and dales this past week. My husband and I grabbed a thermos of coffee and set our navigation system to Touch the Sky Prairie so we could see what we could see. 

Touch the Sky is part of a larger National Tallgrass conservation area. Jim Brandenburg, a renowned nature photographer from Minnesota, had a hand in the project. His portion of the donated land has been given the Touch the Sky moniker, spoken like a true environmentalist and photographer.

There are three small parking areas with information about the project and the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. The rock outcroppings and natural pink quartzite are scattered throughout the area. Meadowlarks and killdeer greeted us, heralding the beginning of the spring season.

Yup, this is an area only an upper plains girl could love during the brown and crunchy pre-verdant springtime. The beauty is not found in the low-hanging fruit of wooded trails. It is the wide open spaces of stark reality that tugs at the soul. There are three designated trails that are well maintained. They are a mile or less and the terrain is what one would expect on the prairie, flat. No complaints from me.

Despite our recent drought conditions, Beaver Creek was still running and there was a little pond along the trail. We can all learn a lesson from the little fish.

I was on the Prairie Waterfall trail. The end of the trail was a beautiful little oasis of a pond surrounded by trees and quartzite rocks. It was a good place to absorb some calmness.

And, yes, there really is a little waterfall in the middle of the prairie. In fact, there are two of them. Niagara Falls they are not but they are no less stunning to me. (To be fair, I have never been to Niagara but there is no need to quibble.)

The trail is host to a few well-positioned seating areas. My husband is not much of a hiker so he found this chair the perfect spot for some quiet reflection. I think he appreciates breaks from my incessant chattering. A large flock of red-winged blackbirds kept him company.

I can only imagine how stunning this will be when the grasses begin their springtime awakening. A lone hawk stealthily flew by as we prepared to leave the area. She, no doubt, was enjoying her position at the top of the food chain. Beware, prairie rodents.

There were plenty of jewels to be found on my hike. Silence, birds, waving grass, seed pods, rocks, ponds and scrappy little trees. Farewell until next time.

Pro tips:

*There are no bathrooms so you may want to be cautious with your liquid intake.

*Watch out for scat. It can be sticky.

*If you like crowds, this is not your place.

Finally, do not sing The Bear Went Over the Mountain aloud or you will be stuck with it all day. Too late? Sorry.