Outdoors in Indiana 6: Crooked Creek Trails

In last week’s article, I mentioned that Tippecanoe State Park has bridle trails and a horse camp (“Outdoors in Indiana,” November 2, 2007). Sadly, I am one of the many MC students who does not own my own horse, and so I was unable to take advantage of those opportunities. However, an employee of Tippecanoe State Park recommended that I check out Crooked Creek Trails.

Crooked Creek Trails Horseback Riding is in Cass County on W CR 250 N, just over an hour’s drive from campus. According to their website, http://www.crookedcreektrails.com/ , Crooked Creek was established by Luke and Jan Riley and their friend, Gene Ohrt “around 20 years ago (it’s hard to say… time flies when you’re having fun!)”

“We started this ‘business’ because we knew that good, public riding facilities are hard to find,” say the Crooked Creek founders. “With the hustle and bustle of most peoples’ lives these days, we’ve made it our goal to make this the perfect place to relax.”

That was certainly my experience. I went on a 1-hour guided trail ride around their property. My horse’s name was Starbuck, a handsome fellow full of energy. We wound around the trails on the property, passing beautiful scenery that included streams, forested areas, and a small lake.

A light drizzle began to fall about halfway through the ride, but no one in the group was bothered in the least. The guide asked if we wanted to return to the stables, and a resounding “No!” was the answer. What is a little bit of rain to a person riding a horse as handsome, gentle, and responsive as Starbuck while surrounded by the luminous colors of fall?

Crooked Creek Trails offers 30-minute and 1-hour trail rides at the cost of $15 and $20 per person, respectively.

They also offer Moonlight Rides from May through November for $25. These rides, offered only to riders over 18, start at approximately 9:00 p.m. on nights with a full (or almost full) moon; the last one of 2007 is scheduled for November 24th (the Saturday of MC’s Thanksgiving Break). Groups of 10 or more with reservations receive a 10% discount.

If you’re thinking what I’m thinking, then you’re already trying to figure out the details involved in getting a carpool of MC students together on the evening of the 24th.

Crooked Creek also offers “Outfitter Rides” for groups of five or more; these rides last from roughly 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and wind through the forests of the Tippecanoe River, Potato Creek, and Brown Country State Parks, the Francis Slocum SRA, or the Harrison Crawford State Forest. Prices vary based upon the location of the ride and the number of riders in your group.

Riders under six years of age cannot ride horses alone, but can either ride tandem with a parent or go on a pony ride. Hayrides are also available for groups of 12 or more.

The proprietors of Crooked Creek were kind enough to extend a 20% student discount for MC students who bring in the accompanying coupon; I strongly recommend all of you to take advantage of this opportunity.

Guided tours are available year-round, seven days a week; however, it is necessary to call ahead to schedule rides on weekdays. Crooked Creek Trails can be contacted by calling (574) 643-9395 or by emailing trailguide@crookedcreektrails.com.

Remember, the world is right outside your door… Let’s go!

(published in Manchester College's weekly newspaper, The Oak Leaves, on November 9, 2007)

Outdoors in Indiana 5: Tippecanoe State Park

I have been eager to go exploring in Tippecanoe State Park for quite some time. There was no objective basis for my enthusiasm; I had never been there before, and all that I knew about the park I had learned from my friends’ stories about the fun times they’d had while there.

So, I was curious about what the park would be like. What’s more, it is the only one of the Indiana State Parks with a name that effortlessly transforms into a delightfully apropos pun.

My interest was peaked even further when I went onto the Indiana DNR’s website. I learned that the park has a “Canoe Camp” area that is separate from both the family campground and the youth tent area. The Canoe Camp consists of ten widely-spaced, primitive sites and is located directly next to the park’s access point onto the Tippecanoe River.

Though I knew that I had to go check it out before the end of the semester, I decided I would wait until a colorful, sunny autumn day.

Friday, October 12th was a warm day with a cool breeze। The trees were changing into the color of sunsets, plump with the leaves that would be clinging to the branches for only a short while longer. The weather was perfect, and I drove to the park as soon as my classes were over.




When I arrived at the park, a woman named Jen was managing the front entrance. I had several brief conversations with her throughout the course of the weekend; she was always kind, and I was grateful to have met someone so helpful.

Tippecanoe’s Canoe Camp is designed to provide campers with convenient access to both the tent sites and the river. Therefore, rental of these sites is only available to individuals who will have either a kayak or a canoe on their site overnight. One result of this restriction is that the setting remained quieter, more private, and more peaceful than that of the average campground.

I went on several kayaking excursions through the Tippecanoe River’s wiggles and bends, admiring the diversity of plant and animal life along the way. If you do ever decide to camp at the Tippecanoe State Park but don’t own a paddleboat of your own, I strongly urge you to rent or borrow one.

Within the park’s 2,761 acres there are two nature preserves and ten hiking trails; the trails range in distance from 0.8 miles to 3.5 miles. Jen had recommended that I hike trail eight, a 1.4 mile-long trail that meanders through the Sandhill Nature Preserve.

Trail eight wound through a deciduous forest, over a sand dune covered in prairie growth, and through a large pine grove before looping back into the deciduously forested area. It was so beautiful that I actually hiked it several times.

In addition to hiking and boating opportunities, the park has bridle trails and a horse camp (great options for those of you who own your own horses), a fire tower for bird watching, and cross country skiing during the winter। Furthermore, the park employs “interpretive naturalists” who provide services such as guided hikes, presentations of थे nature centers’ exhibits, and historic tours.

I ended up returning to the park three times during the next two weeks; site three of the Canoe Camp has started to feel like my home away from home. I may not have initially known why I felt so drawn to go there. However, now that I’ve spent time on the trails and rivers of Tippecanoe State Park, I have discovered countless reasons to return.

Tippecanoe State Park is located just south of Winamac on US 35; the drive from campus takes just over an hour. And remember, the world is right outside your door... Let's go!

(published in Manchester College's weekly newspaper, The Oak Leaves, on November 2, 2007)

Peace without Passivity: Citizenship in Action

It happened for me in my junior year of high school, in American History class, and my life just hasn’t been the same ever since. My teacher, Mr. Jay Rogers, was mostly to blame.

Mr. Rogers taught with his whole being. Our desks were arranged in a semi-circle, and he would move around the room while he talked. Usually he walked at a slow pace, but sometimes he would dash across the room from student to student, the intensity of his arm gesticulations and eye contact revealing shamelessly his passion for the matter at hand.

It happened on the day he gave a lecture on the Civil Rights movement in the first person. The We’s and I’s that he spoke of seemed to do so much in response to the pain that steeped their world. His voice had reached a powerful crescendo when he abruptly stopped. His eyes moved from one student to another slowly, making eye contact with each.

“We had to do it, because we knew that suffering and injustice were important,” he said. “Being a citizen means more than being a legal adult resident of a nation. Being a citizen entails that one acts within the public sphere in order to bring forth a more just society. We needed to act because we cared.”

I had never previously been encouraged so directly to consider what it meant to be a citizen in one’s community. But I understood, right then and there, that I could not let myself be content to stand idly by when confronted with matters of injustice in the world.


It is ten years later, but it was the continuing effects of Mr. Rogers’ thoughts on citizenship that brought me to the Citizens for Global Solutions’ People’s Foreign Policy deliberations in Indianapolis on September 22. Although my political activity has changed during that time—waxing and waning some, and growing away from angry protests and towards deliberations, conversations, letters, and literary activities—it has always seemed of great importance to mobilize my role as a citizen by speaking out against injustice with my voice, pen, and actions.


The speakers at the deliberations were—
· Dr. Robert Geroux , assistant professor at Marian College currently working on a book addressing the duty of doctors and social scientists to protect human rights during wartime,
· Sheila Suess Kennedy, J. D., an associate professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IUPUI, associate Editor of Policy Sciences, columnist for the Indianapolis Star, and author of several books, including God and Country: America in Red and Blue,
· Keni Washington, founder and managing director of the Earth-Solar Technologies Corporation, a company that works to create more mindful ways of obtaining and distributing energy (such as the Boulevard Plaza project to create a sustainable community in Indianapolis), as well as a jazz musician and composer,
· Dr. John Clark, senior fellow at Sagamore Institute and adjunct professor at IUPUI who teaches courses about terrorism to the FBI’s Midwest Counterterrorism Taskforce,
and
· Dr. Michael Goodhart, professor of Political Science and Women’s Studies at the University of Pittsburgh and past president of the American Political Science section on Human Rights.


Although all of the speakers were though provoking, well informed, and engaging, there were three ideas that were presented that seemed especially significant for the pursuit of a more just and less violent world community.

The first of these ideas was presented by Sheila Suess Kennedy. The focus of her talk was the importance of creating a community that is capable of sustaining genuine communication. “Disputes over foreign policy cannot be understood without reference to a larger phenomenon, sometimes called the ‘culture war,’” she said. “Americans tend to conduct our arguments in shades of black and white. America is irredeemably evil, or America is all good…. Such extremes are, to put it mildly, unhelpful.”

She continued to say that the difficulty in finding an effective U. S. foreign policy is grounded in the intensity of an “ongoing struggle to control the national narrative.” It is therefore important that all concerned citizens—including those in colleges—examine their beliefs regarding the role of the United States in the world—“Foreign policy attitudes are a product of our national self-image,” she said, and concluded that “we have to recognize the different realities Americans occupy, and endeavor to communicate despite them.”

The second idea that seemed particularly pertinent was presented by Keni Washington. He said that citizens of the United States need to recognize that one result of U. S. involvement in the Middle East is the impending destruction of another culture, and that the primary casualties of this and all wars are not the soldiers, but the civilians. As citizens of the United States, we are parties to this atrocity, and thus we should be called into action. He said that Americans who are aware of the injustice and illegality of the U. S. military action in the Middle East are “obligated to press for the indictment of Bush.”

The third idea that I found particularly interesting was made by Dr. Geroux. “America will of course continue to be an economic powerhouse,” he said, “but in terms of foreign policy it will become increasingly marginalized. It has already lost its moral authority because of legal policies that served as the superstructure behind GTMO and Abu Gharib.”

The implication is that it is imperative for the future security of the United States for all U.S. citizens to consider the ethical values that are driving the actions of its government and military.

Whether or not you agree with these conclusions, it is obvious that the issues that confront our generation are staggering in scope and profound in implication. It is not an act of pacifism and nonviolence to remain silent and passive in the face of such a situation; it is an act of complicity.

I would like for all those who read this to consider how they can more fully mobilize themselves as citizens in the world community, and what values lay behind their political beliefs.

To not be passionately arisen to action in the face of such morally and politically dynamic a time as ours seems to me to be halfway to being dead. All of us who hope for a more peaceful world community must find a way to express ourselves publicly and loudly with both our voices and our actions. Speak out.

(published in Manchester College's weekly newspaper, the Oak Leaves, on October 5, 2007)

Outdoors in Indiana 4: Canoe Country

It was through a serendipitous turn of events during my previous camping trip (see "Outdoors in Indiana," September 28, 2007) that I heard about Canoe Country in Daleville, IN. Although it primarily focuses on canoe and kayak rental and tours, they also have a few primitive campsites that are available for rental at a mere $4 per person per night. These sites have easy access to the White River, and can be reached by kayak as well as by car.

My trip to Canoe Country was the first of my trips thus far this semester that I had someone else along. My friend and fellow student Russell Holl not only provided two kayaks but also pleasant company and conversation for the ride down.

This was much appreciated, in fact… the directions that we got from Mapquest had left out a few turns, and it took us quite awhile to find the site. All is well that ends well, though, and it wasn’t even midnight by the time we got our tent set up and a fire going.

We were the only campers there; actually, I got the sense that the campsites were not used very often. The solitude and silence were much appreciated; the sounds of wind blowing through the dry corn stalks and dogs barking in the distance lulled me to sleep, and I had the best night of sleep that I can remember.

The following morning, after a simple breakfast of coffee and peaches n’cream oatmeal, we carried the kayaks down to the river and went exploring.

The weather was perfect for the excursion. The water reflected the multihued blush of the trees and the golden glow of the sun, while a slight breeze prevented us from getting uncomfortably hot.

Unfortunately, the water level was quite low. There were a few instances when Russell determined that it was easier to simply push himself along down the river with his hands; he would bend forward, after finding a rock with each hand, push himself along. Although I tried valiantly, I was simply not as effective at this system as he was; I had to jump out of the kayak and, with mud squishing between my toes and laughter bursting forth from my smile, push my intrepid sea vessel along until I reached deeper water.

The most breathtaking occurrence during our outing was when we were accompanied by a blue heron for 10 or 15 minutes. He would be perched proudly on a fallen tree trunk and, when we got close, swoop away to another limb 200 yards or so further down the river. He repeated this dance five or six times before disappearing around a bend.

Somewhat less poetic, but equally as amusing, was the impromptu race we had with a friendly duck family. We definitely had them when it came to speed of paddling down the river; however, they used their trump card and, like the heron, took off and flew away. Sadly, our kayaks were not equipped for flight, and we had to acknowledge that we had been beaten.

Ultimately, my trip to Canoe Country couldn’t have been better; I only wish that I could have stayed there longer. Perhaps another time. After all, the world is right outside your door… let’s go!

(published in Manchester College's weekly newspaper, the Oak Leaves, on October 12, 2007)

Outdoors in Indiana 3: Timberline Campground/Mounds State Park

It was Friday, September 21^st at 5:00 pm when I finally decided that I was going to go to the Mounds State Park for the weekend’s camping trip. An hour-and-a-half later, I decided to go ahead and load my camping gear into my car and camp both Friday and Saturday nights. It was 7:30 by the time I had run to Lance’s for some food to grill and was ready to get on the road.

My plans hit a snag when I called the park from my cell phone to reserve a site and was told that they were full for the entire weekend. Full? Completely? Both nights? It warmed my heart that there were so many people who were out appreciating the beauty of the world, but I was already on the road; I neither wanted to turn back nor to spend the night in a cookie-cutter hotel room with nothing to listen to but the television and drunken laughter of whoever was in the next room.

However, the woman from the Mounds was very helpful, and provided me with the number of a small campground only a mile-and-a-half away from the park, the Timberline Campground.

I called the campground, and spoke with a very kind woman named Elizabeth, one of the owners of the campground. She gave me directions to the campground and to a site that I could stay at, and said that I could just come by the office in the morning to handle the payment. In a kind voice, she asked me to please drive carefully and to have a lovely evening. I felt welcomed before I even arrived.

Because I set up camp after dark, and had to wake up at dawn on Saturday in order to attend the People’s Foreign Policy deliberations in Indianapolis (see Opinion article “Pacifism without Passivity”), I didn’t get a chance to explore the campground until Saturday afternoon.

I will admit that I was initially cynical; the camp is geared towards people who use campers, and there were quite a few of RV’s, vans, and campers in the park. But Elizabeth had directed me to a site that was actually quite private.

It was only about 100 yards from a lovely pond that seemed to always have a fisherman or two standing at the shore, casting their lines and looking into the distance. Behind my site there was a path into the woods that led quickly to a river that had been hidden from my view at the site.

All things considered, it was the most relaxing time that I have ever had at a family campground, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return.

I packed up my site late Sunday morning. I always try to do this extra attentively, out of respect for the land itself, the directors of the campground, and whoever will use the campsite next. It is always necessary to remove all detritus; I have never camped anywhere that didn’t have dumpsters located conveniently on the way to the exit. If I cooked breakfast over a fire, as I usually do, I always make sure that the fire is extinguished before I leave.

I left the campground (“Antennae down-Wife on board,” reads the sign at the exit. “Thanks for your visit. Please come again.”) and drove to the Mounds State Park.

The park is named for the several ceremonial mounds that were built by the Adena- Hopewell people over 2000 years ago. I walked the 2.5 mile trail that winds its way though and around most of the 290 acres of the park. About one mile of the trail ran parallel to the White River, which reflected the clear sky and the technicolor display of the fall leaves with a glistening intensity.

The hike was well marked, and led me up and down some hills and varied between portions right alongside the river and portions deeper in the forested area. It was a perfect day for it, and I plan to come back and explore the other trails in the near future.

The only downside of the park is that, unlike Chain O’Lakes (see “Outside in Indiana, September 14), the Mounds State Park does not offer canoe and kayak rental. However, the woman who was working the gate recommended a nearby kayak rental location that has a few primitive campsites with access by road and river. Yep, you guessed it… I’m going there this next weekend.

Stay tuned to see how it goes. And remember, the world’s right outside your door… Let’s go!

(published in Manchester College's weekly newspaper, the Oak Leaves, on September 28, 2007)

Timberline Family Campground
http://www.timberlinecampground.com/
3230 E CR 75 N
Anderson, Indiana 46017
765-378-5909

Mounds State Park
4306 Mounds Road
Anderson, IN 46017
765-642-6627