Winter in all its glory.

 

Winter Wonder Land

January the month that is usually long and dreary.  It is normal the month that we just must settle into winter and make do.  There is nothing extremely special about it.

What a surprising winter start this year.  I cannot remember ever having such a beautiful expression of wintery splendor than the first week of this month produced.  Snow, rain, freezing rain, and frost made for a scene of wonder and merriment. We were blessed to get a glimpse of the forest this year during the winter.  The winding, curvy uphill road covered in this wintery mix leading up to the Lick Creek campgrounds usually doesn’t allow for many to reach the top; let alone experience the trees in their shiny glory. 

Take a look at some of the most magnificent looking winter wonderland trees within the forest.

As you can see the road is snow covered and the trees are hanging with sparkling frozen ice covered with a layer of frost.

These trees are standing tall as if to say "Look at me.  See how tall I stand"

There is something soothingly peaceful about these soft pine needles covered in snow.

                                                                                               Gently swaying is the brilliant winter sun.

Looking through a tunnel of dancing delight.

I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I have.  They are absolutely stunning.

Let each day begin with new wonders and adventures.  

Let this year bring peace and joy to you.

Photos Courtesy of Ross and Kathy O'Day

Kathy 

FOS Blog Editor 

Reflections of 2020

 Reflections on 2020

There wasn't much positive about they year 2020 or was there?  We have the choice to focus on all the negative or dig deep and reflect on the positive.  I don't know about you, but positive thinking sure sounds better to me.

Let's take a look at some of the events that happened within the Forest in 2020.

January 1, 2020 - DNR hosted at First Day hike coordinated by Patrick Thomas. There were 43 people who attended this event. Friends of Shimek supplied snacks.  What a fun way to start the year off.

March 7th - Friends of Shimek held a Volunteer Recognition Dinner at Little Mexico in Mt. Pleasant.  Gary and Denise Schieffer were recognized as Bennett Volunteers of the year.  Ann Bennett, DNR John Byrd, and Patrick Thomas as well as the Hoaglin Foundation were honored.  A total of 31 volunteers were recognized.  It was a fun filled evening with many memories shared by all.

March 18th- Friends of Shimek was awarded 5 gallons of stain by Diamond Vogal under the Paint Iowa Beautiful program.  This stain will be used to refinish the picnic tables throughout the various Shimek Forest camp locations.

As many of us know COVID started having a huge impact on how we could socialize, work, and enjoy the parks.  Many of the work days were cancelled.  The use of the camp sites were restricted.  

People began to get creative with "social distancing."  The day parking areas became filled to capacity with trucks and trailers just about every weekend.  People were tired of being cooped up so many of them hit the trails hiking, biking, or horse back riding.  Everyone was courteous to allow plenty of space between each other.  You could hear the sound of people visiting, laughing, and having a good time while out on the trails. More people were camping.  The use of the equestrian campsites were booked full most all weekends.   

September 26th - DNR Patrick Thomas coordinated a Volunteer workday.  The tables were spaced safely apart to allow volunteers to have sufficient room to stain the picnic tables.  All the tables had been pressure washed and were ready for the stain to be applied.  The tables looked beautiful once completed.

October 13th - DNR personnel John Byrd and Patrick Thomas hosted the Director of DNR and the Assistant Director for a morning of trail riding at Shimek.  They were joined by Bonnie Moothart, Doug Moothart, and Ann Bennett.  A delicious lunch was provided for all participants.  A few FOS volunteers collected, sorted, and bagged cans for recycling.  

October-November - The DNR crew worked diligently on resurfacing the Wet Weather Trails.  The roads were cleared, built up where needed, leveled, and new fine lime chip rock was applied to the trails.  The Wet Weather Trails looked so clean and fresh.  We are grateful for these trails. 2020 provided an excessive amount of rain which closed the dirt trails a large portion of the prime riding season.  These Wet Weather Trails allow for people to continue to get out for exercise and fresh air.  

 As you can see if we look real hard, we can find something positive even during a very challenging negative year.  If we focus on the negative, then there is very little room to find the positive in all situations.  I choose to look for the good and positive.  How about you?

Covid is not over.  It doesn't seem to be slowing down.  

Covid will not beat us, unless we let it.  Let's have a better 2021.

This coming year lets try to:

Challenge someone to help clean trails

Organize an activity to improve the campsites

Volunteer some time to clear trails and trim low hanging branches

Initiate a safe organized workday.

Develop ways to be helpful.

Let's let this COVID become a useful tool this coming year.

May your 2021 be a blessed year.  May you find the "good" in all the circumstances the New Year holds.  

Happy Trails this coming year!

Kathy

Editor