Signs of Spring: Budding Trees, Blooming Flowers, Spring Peepers, Chirping Birds & T-Shirt Weather

Squeezing in a hike on a busy errand running day called for some creativity, and it paid off. Our errands were on the north side of Indy so we found our hiking opportunity in the eclectic neighborhood of Broad Ripple. Broad Ripple was established as a town in 1836 along the banks of the White River, but in 1922 the town was annexed into Indianapolis. In high school my BF and I would cruise Broad Ripple Ave. in her family’s station wagon, and often stopped in at the local stores. There’s a different vibe going on now in Broad Ripple, now it draws a young adult crowd at night and a diverse group by day, walking, biking, dining and shopping. Broad Ripple High School closed in 2018, but not before several well know Hoosiers graduated from there perhaps the most famous of the alumni, David Letterman.

On this day we began our hike at the Indianapolis Arts Center. I had discovered this fun place several years ago and was excited to share the experience with G. Inside the center we saw individuals practicing their hobby or perhaps maybe even their livelihood, creating art pieces. We watched as a man pulled glass out of the oven and stretched it from the shape of a ball into a piece of art. Others were working with clay on a wheel. There are several separate art studios along the halls. We had come to Broad Ripple to be outside, but this detour through the building was very interesting. So, we eventually made our way out. Behind the building there are walking paths that include large pieces of art to admire. This stretched and bent over house is eye catching, as well as several other pieces placed along the path. But the other thing that caught my eye were the many signs of spring far more prevalent than on any of our previous hikes. Flowers are pushing up and several trees have buds, and the forest floor across the river from where we were, was much greener than the grays and browns we have been seeing all winter. Yay!

These walking paths connect to the Monon Trail that began as many of these rail trails did, as the Monon Railroad that connected the cities of Indianapolis and Chicago. When I moved to Indianapolis when I was in 3rd grade, this railroad line ran just across a field from our home in the Nora area. I can still fondly imagine the sound of a train rolling down the tracks, and the sound of the whistle off in the distance. I love that these long tracks of land are being repurposed and now connect towns and cities for recreational activities.

Our next hiking adventure took us to north central Indiana, near our alma mater, Purdue. We headed NE of Lafayette to the newest Indiana State Park, Prophetstown. Before our hike in the park we stopped in at the memorial for the Battle of Tippecanoe that occurred in November, 1811. It is located in the town of Battle Ground that is just north of the state park. I won’t say much about this visit other than the monument left me with mixed feelings.

Then we were off to Prophetstown. The park is situated where the Tippecanoe and Wabash Rivers merge. Being early in the year the trail that goes along the river was closed due to debris blocking the paths from earlier flooding events. It was our first time visiting this park, and it is not like any other state park I’ve visited; it’s a giant prairie field with relatively few trees. Since the river trail was closed our path took us straight through the middle of this prairie area. We were happy to be visiting in the spring and not making this hike across a completely unshaded area in the summer sun. Today’s mix of sun and cloud made for a very pleasant hike, no sweatshirt needed. I can imagine the view across the prairie grasses is beautiful once it greens up but today we were simply happy being welcomed by the spring peepers singing away in the wet areas. There were other animals around, and an eagle soared high above the river, and critter footprints were spotted in the mud by the riverbank in an area we could access. Each outing now shows more and more evidence of the changing season.

Our final hike for the week took us to Lebanon for a visit and walkabout at the 17-acre campus of the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home. This residential school has had a special place in the heart of G.’s mom for many years. She was closely involved with the home by her involvement through her local United Methodist Church in Plymouth. We were excited to accept an invitation to visit and become familiar with the great work that is going on there. This is a place where children experiencing a traumatic home life might be placed by the Indiana Department of Child Services. Children, grades 6 -12, who may not be a good fit for placement within a foster family setting can find this to be a better setting to thrive within. The youth live in 6 separate family-style homes on the campus and they attend school on campus daily. The children are made to feel as if they are living in a stable setting as best as possible. They all have chores and responsibilities. Our walk through one of the houses felt just like what a home of a large family would feel like, lots of bedrooms, a very long kitchen table and lots of couches and chairs. As well, they have available to them trained professionals to support their mental, physical and spiritual needs.

This organization got its beginning in 1915. The Indiana United Methodist Children’s home was organized by a Methodist Deaconess, Miss Angie Godwin and was originally located in Greencastle. Today the Lebanon campus is where “Hope Has A Home.” (their motto)

My heart breaks to imagine the journey these precious children have been on that brought them to this point. But now, what a blessing it is for these children that they have these services available to them to help them get their footing and give them hope for a safe and productive life. Thank you to our hosts T.F. & S.B for enlightening G. & I about the important work being done in an unassuming neighborhood in Lebanon.

I’ll leave you with a quote on a bookmark that was given to us:

“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” John Wesley

‘Til next time.