May 18

After parking in the Jasper Township Cemetery (a rare “public” access point to the Pine River in Midland County), Caroline remains to read her book while I hike a short distance south through a dense broadleaf woods whose floor is sprinkled with hundreds of blue Violets. Reaching the river under sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 40’s, I pause to again take in the sights and sounds of this adopted watercourse. Moving east along the bank, I spot a few Buttercup and Purple Phlox blossoms as well as Raccoon tracks on the muddy shore. Out on the water, I first watch a Mallard drake land and then a family of Canada geese swimming quietly near the far shore. Nearby, a huge boulder catches my eye and makes me realize that this 2-ton specimen was not transported and deposited here recently by the river but by a glacier thousands of years ago. Further along, I see and hear water draining from a pipe into the river and wonder whether it contains toxic chemicals that run off the cultivated field just above the far bank. After one last look at the river, I turn inland and begin heading back on a 2-track where my surroundings display: a few Trillium blossoms, a few May Apple plants with newly formed green, olive-size flower buds and several patches of Wild Leeks (Ramps). As with garlic, eating this plant has many health benefits including improving heart and liver function. This time of the year, the raw Leek leaves are a perfect addition to a spring salad while the white root bulbs (stock photo) can be eaten year round. Continuing west, a curious Chipmunk catches my eye and the penetrating call of a Pileated Woodpecker catches my ear. High in the canopy, I get a brief look at a Hairy Woodpecker fledgling before it flies away. Further on the leaf-covered trail, I take in a bird song serenade highlighted by a distant Mourning Dove. Near the trail’s end, I get a rare. close-up view of two male Indigo Buntings perched close by in a Birch tree. Walking through the cemetery back to the car, I pause to listen to a Chipping Sparrow hidden high in a Pillar Arborvitae Tree. While driving home, we express gratitude for the chance to get away from the confines of our quarters and enjoy fresh air and blue skies.

Where’ve you been

Onward you go

Staying the course

Pine River, flow

Channel is full

Current is slow

Life giving source

Pine River, flow

Wisdom of your waters

I long to know

Refreshing the mind

Pine River, flow

D. DeGraaf