July 1

On a sunny, warm afternoon, I’m in Nelson Park, strolling along the banks of the Chippewa River as it makes its way through the heart of the city of Mt. Pleasant. Near the water’s edge, I spot some Red Clover and a pair of Mallards while a human floater passes by. As I pause to take in the sights and sounds of the gently flowing river, I can also hear nearby traffic and lawn mower noise. The flow rate at the Mt. Pleasant station today is 431 cubic feet per second compared to 600 cfs that was recorded back on June 3 when I canoed the river in Deerfield Park. Further ahead, I come upon the ripening fruit of a Mulberry tree as well as a blossoming Bushy Cinquefoil shrub. While a group of kids wade in the water, I explore a nearby tributary that is teeming with minnows. Continuing north on a paved path, I cross the railroad tracks into Island Park where the river forks as part of the main channel is diverted to circumvent the park to create the “island”. Following the paved path north, I spot a Cabbage White Butterfly perched on a Dame’s Rocket flower as well as a blossom of Hedge Bindweed. Noticing a Wild Carrot plant among the lush vegetation, I pull it up to take in the fresh “carrot” aroma of its root. It won’t be long before these plants decorate the summer landscape with their lovely “Queen Anne’s Lace” blossoms (stock photo). Also, my eyes are drawn to a Silky Dogwood shrub with clusters of unripen berries that will turn a deep purple when ripe. Down at the river’s edge, I pause to look and listen as the water surges through a narrow channel. Turning around and retracing my steps back into Nelson Park, I observe a large stand of Staghorn Sumac displaying both dead panicles from last year as well as newly formed male flowers. Just before reaching the car, I spot a patch of White Clover and Creeping Jenny on the riverbank. Thus ends another encounter with the river as I reach the approximate halfway point on my journey to its mouth.

Singing birds, traffic span

River of nature, river of man

Soothing sounds, noisy clan

River of nature, river of man

Pristine banks, cola can

River of nature, river of man

Clean water, fishing ban

River of nature, river of man

Flowing free, levee plan

River of nature, river of man

D. DeGraaf