Ropchan Nature Preserve

Elkhart, IN     High:  70 (!)     Low:  46

Sparky went to Fremont yesterday to get a haircut and run some errands...Like go past her old house and see how the renters are maintaining it...so far, so good. Next, check out some Halloween decorations....These were cool....

Her absolute favorite place in Fremont is Ropchan Nature Preserve, an Acres land trust property that relies on donations from the public to acquire and preserve beautiful, natural areas for hiking and walking and for the enjoyment of future generations. Here's the first part of one of the trails leading into the forest.....

When Sparky lived in Fremont, right next to Angola, IN, she hiked at least two to three times a week through the preserve. It was a great stress reliever after a hard day of teaching. So today, back to Ropchan for a two mile hike....Ropchan is just outside of Fremont,  heading towards Angola on Williams Street which turns into 827. There are several trail choices leading through a grassy meadow, a pine forest, a lake, and multiple woods. It's good exercise, you are traipsing up and down hills throughout the trails......

She almost always saw deer...But today, none! Just beautiful woods....and a carpet of thick leaves....

Beautiful leaves.....This one looks like it's starting to catch on fire!

The leaves on the forest floor were HUGE! This leaf dwarfs the surrounding oaks...Beech leaf, maybe?

Ropchan has great little bridges and boardwalks to keep your feet out of the bogs and mud so you can cross into the different habitats...

The Fremont/Angola area has about ELEVEN Acres preserves...amazing for such small towns (Fremont--pop. about 3,000) to have so many beautiful places to enjoy nature! Sparky was glad to have the chance to revisit Ropchan..Time to head back home to Elkhart to see how Eldy did today. He worked on the motorhome, more polishing and waxing......Bye for now.....