NOT A PLAIN FIELD — The Weekly Opine

It was “on” last Saturday at Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Giving thanks for this natural sanctuary

By now my intention was to comment on the presidential election. And there is plenty to discuss, most obviously Trump’s desperate refusal to accept reality. Trump remains delusional, even as some Republicans admit it is time to stand down and pack his belongings. Thankfully, the General Services Administration began the transition with Biden’s campaign this week. This after GOP attempts to gainfully suppress Democrats’ votes failed. If only Trump displayed the same tenacity managing the pandemic as he exhibits trying to steal the election...

But we will save politics for another day (next week, I promise). Today we give thanks to natural wonders, such as the one I visited last Saturday. It was an unexpected venture – offered to me as a “surprise plan” – that proved to be an ideal way to hangout on a chilly afternoon. This came after watching my alma mater stage a furious comeback against Ohio State. Indiana lost 42-35, after trailing 35-7. It was exciting to see IU’s football team occupy the big stage that once was associated with IU basketball.

By the time we finished exploring the 82-acre Wolf Road Prairie Nature Preserve – dedicated as a sanctuary for native plants and animals – the sun was setting on another satisfying, low key fall day. Like the little engine that could, Wolf Road Prairie strutted its stuff, which was impressive considering recent visits to the more widely acclaimed Garfield Park Conservatory and Morton Arboretum.

You know the drill. Scroll below to check out photos. In addition, there are links to three articles that are among the best from the past three years – yes, still celebrating The Weekly Opine’s 3rd anniversary. “Indiana’s Hamilton,” “The Great Spectacle,” and “Railing Away!” are worth another look.

The natural setting is occasionally interrupted by sidewalks installed when developers attempted to build a subdivision. The Great Depression ended their plan. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Resilient cattails going into hibernation. See you next spring. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

A visual delicacy, milkweed bring another dimension to the natural setting. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Like the Yellow Brick Road, this path leads to a structure housing relevant information. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Across from Wolf Road Prairie, a slow burn takes place in a forest preserve. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Despite my initial skepticism, my new, non-hiking shoes survived walking narrow paths strewn with branches and twigs. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Wonder when the last time these wheel barrels were put to use? (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

It’s not straw, but maybe Rumpelstiltskin could spin this into gold. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Smoke from the forest preserve slow burn is visible in the distance. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Presumably, these are bird feeders. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Wolf Road Prairie Natural Preserve totals 82 acres and is home to 360 native plant species and a variety of wildlife. Native communities include prairie, savanna, and wetland. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Wolf Road Prairie is open sunrise to sunset. Time to exit. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

3rd anniversary celebration goes on

Here are links to the aforementioned articles, representing politics, sports, and current events. The idea is to revisit three articles since it’s the 3rd anniversary. Coincidentally, all three posts appeared in 2019.

“Indiana’s Hamilton”: theweeklyopine.com/politics/2019/10/31/indianas-hamilton

“The Great Spectacle”: theweeklyopine.com/sports/2019/5/23/the-great-spectacle

“Railing Away!”: theweeklyopine.com/current-events/2019/6/26/railing-away

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.