Flandrau State Park

            A much-needed solo expedition. Although, like most of my recent hikes, the area was flooded in some parts and the others, of course, extremely muddy. However, the concept did not deter this adventure in any way. In fact, it led me to some pretty amazing areas within the park.

            Flandreau State Park consists of prairie and historic sites in addition to the noticeable flooding. The culprit is the Cottonwood River which runs through the heart of the park. This year has produced an exceptionally wet spring throughout the whole Midwest, and New Ulm, Minnesota wasn’t able to escape the effects of a continuous rising river the past few months.

            Although, the wildlife residing here has already adapted for the most part. Right away, as I trekked along a seemingly squishy path alongside the river, each foot producing the “skloop” sound with every step, I noticed many painted turtles sunning themselves on fallen logs near the bank. I stood and watched for a while – observing the struggles each turtle faced as it attempted to climb the moist, floating timber.

Painted turtles sunning themselves

            Tree and herbaceous plants were also beginning to bloom despite the wet season. The green added a layer of new life to the current brown and black flood plain – the environment reminding is observers that spring will still come.

            An interesting aspect of my adventure was discovering invasive-plant-eating goats. 

            Yes, you read that correctly. 

            Flandreau State Park has become one of the first parks to host goats on the premises in order to control areas of Buck-thorn infestation. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the goats throughout my hike (though I did hear them), I walked along the electric fence area that keeps the goats in their specific environment. Honestly, it’s was interesting to see this new form of conservation practice in action, and hopefully, the goats’ eating habits will benefit the State Park’s recreation land soon.

            My favorite part of the hike was not the act of wandering in general, but when I sat on a bench, overlooking a flood plain in complete silence – focusing on what my eyes and ears fixated on, rather than the racing thoughts of my mind. Honestly, the view was a bird watcher’s paradise. Red-winged blackbirds, Blue jays, Chickadees, Cardinals, Sparrows, and many other species sounded alarms of my evident presence, which, like the budding trees, made this dead-looking floodplain come alive. The valley itself was mostly brown, the plants and trees using sunny days like today to begin their green growths once again as well as stand-up fully again for the frequent rains and floods have bent them out of shape. Their appearance took the hit for the vegetation looked as if it was still the dead of winter – without the snow of course.

The floodplain I observed while sitting on a bench. 

            The silence I experienced, I realized only after the hike, was also sub-consciously required, and its duration actually helped me discover a few things about myself. For example, I learned that my introverted-ness was most likely built on my inner likeness of silence, especially in the midst of nature. God had already known I’d be a perfect fit. And, even as I wrote this thought down, a Blue jay declared it.

God announcing His presence once again.

            Another observation I had during the silence draws on the significance of today: Good Friday, and I feel as if God’s whole creation knows it too. Moments would pass and the entire floodplain – silent. As if each bird, plant, and even frog gave a few moments of praise toward the One who saved us all – Jesus Christ. Additionally, I thought the park’s appearance, specifically the draining valley, reflected the first Good Friday nicely. The world dark and gray; dead-looking as Jesus gave His final breath. And soon afterward, as the growing trees and budding plants hint at – Jesus’ resurrection from the grace three days later.

           Overall, this hike reminded me (similar to all my hikes) the inter-connection of God with His creation and how if you find the time to be still - God will make Himself known. And I encourage everyone reading this to also pursue God in this direction, to in addition to creation, sing praises to Him unconditionally. 

This picture doesn't really relate to my post, but I thought the sign was funny considering it's calling tent campers rustic.