DocAndersen
Brown County state park. Over the years I have to say that park changed in many ways for me. When I was young, my father/mother would take us on hikes in, near or around the park. My dad loved being outdoors. I learned the names of plants (that I forgot before the end of the walk). I learned how to enjoy the outdoors (despite, the constant complaining, ok I was the one complaining). But in the beginning, Brown County State Park seemed a million miles away from the bustling town of Bloomington Indiana.
Then as a Boy Scout, we camped there often. The park has some primitive camping areas. As our group got older, we camped in places that didn’t have all the amenities (running water is the big one). But in the beginning, we camped in the State Parks. We used to play tag on the huge wooden play areas built in the park. Now, I suspect they would never build play areas out of railroad ties, but when I was young, we didn’t care. Now, I would worry about what the tar that coated the ties were made of; then we just cared about who was it.
As a parent I found myself enjoying showing the kids some of the things my father showed me. Taking the short trails throughout the park to see the many things you can see in nature. But as well, enjoying the many shows that they had the park. Wildlife shows, and nature shows about the flora and fauna of Indiana. I guess I had come full circle, but I have to say I still forgot the names of every plant before the end of the walk. Even when we were reading them on signs posted in front of the plants.
p.s. Only the last two pictures are of the state park. After uploading, I realized most of the pictures were actually a church group celebration at our house.
