Emo and I took a typical hike today in our favorite local park, Possum Creek Metropark. Voters here pass park levies by about 2/3 vote, and we have a great county parks system. It's only a 15 minute trip crosstown to Possum Creek, so come on, let's go!



Emo Dog is always ready to hop in the car and go hiking!



Once my friend sees this, he knows it will be a good day.

Part of the land Possum Creek is on was a daytime resort like complex in the first half of the last century. There were caretakers, a pool, a dance hall, and many other activities that attracted good crowds. It was named The Argonne Forest by the man who bestowed the land to be public, he had been in WWI. There are only small remnants of that left, the land and a larger adjoining parcel have been acquired by the county and developed into this wonderful park.



Looking at the map, you can see there are several hiking trails, separate facilities and trails for horses, a lake, 4 fishing ponds, a small farm (Polly Possum's Math Farm, no less!), community garden plots, and lots of prairie.



Here's a view of the lake, with a short fishing pier. There are several spots around the lake to fish. I've seen carp flopping around here during mating season. Lots of geese and ducks hang out here. There is also a huge shelter for picnics. A nice trail goes around the lake, with other trails connecting.



Here is Possum Creek. It is way down today. I let Emo Dog splash around and get a drink. On the other side of the trail from where this picture was taken, is the spot where I spread the ashes of my little terrier, Pepper Dog. She loved Possum Creek, too.



Evergreens give some color in the winter. These trails are nice and wide, and having separate horse trails keeps them in good condition all year. I've seen fox, rabbit, deer, and raccoon here, but no possums. They do better in the Dayton sewers, I guess. I've seen evidence of beavers.



Here is some of the stonework from the resort days. A lot of the stones used were left here by the glacier, so geologists can have an interesting day here. The trail going uphill to the left leads to where my best ever human friend, Maggie, asked us to put her ashes. She is across from where the old dance floor was.

One day, I went there and put a wire into an old white oak tree, and worked Cuba with 4 watts using Morse Code on a radio I built from a kit.



Here is a small marsh not on the map, and some prairie behind it. 3 Mallards flew off before I could snap them, damn dog. This picture is taken from a small berm, in season these small marshes cannot be seen from the trail, and offer great habitat for birds and other critters. I'm not a birder, but I've seen lots here, especially west of the lake, and fighting over the crabapple tree close to here.

In the center of the picture, you may see some large broadcast antennas. There is some elevation here, and all the local TV stations use this spot for antennas. I know the trails like the back of my hand, but with colored signs and the big antennas, it is hard to get lost at Possum Creek. But I will not divulge the Mulberry locations!



This gentleman was nice enough to show me the two fish he caught. He said they were good size for trout. Behind him is the first of 4 fishing ponds. They had just been stocked, and there was a good crowd there.

We hiked about two miles today, not bad for weather in the mid 40's and a little bit of a late start. The only other hikers we passed were a young woman with two small children and a babe in arms! And she had gone at least 1 mile to get to us!

I love to come here in the summer when the wildflowers are in bloom, well, all times of year. We usually get to Possum Creek at least once a week.



-Chuck, Vegetarian fanboy

Very cool. I like the one with the stones. I also think I'd prefer the park in this weather than all sunny outside and stuff.

what kind of dog is that?

Looks like a great place to rape and kill a jogger.

That's what parks are for,right?

Actually, the sweety is a Border Collie mix named after Emo Philips. He was trained by the fellas in the state prison not far from the park.

-Chuck, Vegetarian fanboy

Polly Possum sounds like D-----y L---'s next breakout star.

I've got a whole bunch of video on YouTube I've shot of deer and turkeys I've seen while hiking. Anyone interested can PM me and I'll let you know my user name there.

BTW two miles in the 40s is nothing. I've done anywhere from six to eight miles in the 20s this winter. The nice thing about hiking in the wintertime is that you don't have to worry about being ran over by some damn mountain biker.