A Hiking We Did Go

Bunny here at the keyboard to share my hike from Saturday with you. 

Dad thought it would be fun to go to a place that we hadn't been before for our hike, so we headed off to Wildcat Run State Park which is in Muscatine, Iowa.  He'd read that it has wonderful Winter hiking so we decided to give it a try.  It was nice to get out for a while after we were blitzed by that blizzard last week. 

Before we even got there, we had our wildlife sighting.  Morgan and I offered to catch one for dinner, but Mom and Dad said no.  I guess it would have been a little big to carry back with us, but it would have been tasty.

One of the things the park is known for is the old schoolhouse and the Pine Creek Grist Mill, which has been restored by people in the community.  Part of the park exists on land donated by Emma and Clara Brandt, who were sisters who lived there for a time.  We thought the mill was particularly pretty.  The schoolhouse and the mill were both closed while we were there, so we didn't get to see what they look like inside.

It's also known for its high cliffs, dens and rock formations.  One of them is called The Stage Coach, while another is The Devil's Punchbowl.  We didn't get to taste any punch while we were there, though.  Some of the cliffs could make you feel pretty small. 

We had to hike through some pretty deep snow in parts of the trail.  Actually, I wasn't sure that I wouldn't have to drag Mom part of the way back, but she kept going.  It was really pretty out in the woods, although the only wildlife we saw was a Cardinal.  He was pretty, but he didn't get close enough for a good picture.

I decided to try out a technique that I've admired Rusty of The Thundering Herd do many times, too.  He has it perfected and I'm still learning.  Mom was laughing too hard to get a picture of it when I was doing it the best, but I assure you, I shall try it again.  Dad was not quite as amused as Mom was.

I was glad to get some good time to record for my Idita Walk sheet, since the hike took us two hours.  It was a refreshing break from the winter doldrums.  What did all of you do this weekend?