Hitchcock Nature Center~

Sunday, overcast & drizzle.  A very typical day if we were still in western, WA.  Not so typical for SW Iowa.  July has been somewhat moderate, if that word can be used to describe one of our hottest & most humid months of the year.  Butch & I were totally enjoying it.

Entry Signage~

We decided to take our new truck on the Lincoln highway.  Butch had gone that route for the first time when I-29 was closed due to the flooding, with a school bus full of kids, to Sioux City.  He'd mentioned some great views, so I was looking forward to the drive.

Painted Lady~

Once in Council Bluffs, the road we wanted was easy to find. The country side was just beautiful. We weren't too far out when I saw a sign for Hitchcock Nature Center. A new member of our Garden Club had mentioned it to me just the week before, as a possible destination for a tour.

Photo opp~

We followed the winding road, stopping at the first point where I could see a dramatic view of the valley below. Walking to the overlook, the marker above told us that this was a popular place.

The Nature Center~

The lodge building was in keeping with the scene, built at the top of the ridge. We found our way to the deck. It was a little surreal to see all the water from the Missouri still covering acres & acres of farmland. The mission statement reads; "The Hitchcock Nature Center exists to develop and foster appreciation & understanding of the Loess Hills as a globally significant land-form through land management, environmental education & low-impact recreation."

Territorial views~

It was just a perfect day to be up here. Cool, light drizzle & we were the only ones there. Butch went inside & bought us a season pass. He already knew that I'd want to come back here to hike!

Zoomed in, from the deck~

While he was inside, I found the tower! Wow! The climb to the top was easy & the view was worth the climb.

The lookout tower~

This tower reminded me of one we'd climbed at a park in Bellingham. There though, the trees were obstructing some of the view. Here, we were well above the trees!

Views from the top~

It was truly stunning, the air fresh, a light breeze & the light rain to go with it. I could just imagine how wonderful this will be in the fall, or winter with a fresh covering of snow.

Loess Hills & the Missouri flood plain~

Man has manipulated so many of our landscapes, but even with all the dredging & levee's, the Missouri didn't take long to re-claim it's original flood plain. Even now, the highway crews will get a section of highway open, only to have it closed again by encroaching water.

From the deck~

Finally, the rain really did move in, here you can see it coming for miles. No thunder or lightening though - that waited until we'd returned home - much to Nika's relief. (She is so terrified of the storms now, that even when the clouds roll over, she shadows my every move.) We did make one stop at the Christy Cream! Wow! A different flavor of ice cream every few days! I'm going back for Lemon on the 6th!

We enjoyed finding such a great natural area, on the Iowa side of the river! Miles of trails to hike & a new section of the Loess Hills to explore.