The Woods Are Lovely, Dark, & Deep: A Visit To Bryan Nature Preserve
So I have to admit that I was skeptical for the first part of our visit to this nature preserve. I mean, Portland Arch had stunned us with its natural beauty and I knew that this wouldn’t be the same ~ it’s advertised simply as a trail through forest land, with a marsh pond. I knew it would be a quieter beauty than Portland at the outset.
Even with that information, though, I was still taken aback when I discovered that the long trail head entrance to the preserve is within easy viewing and hearing distance (this time of year, at least) of a large hog farm. Sounds of pigs squealing and large exhaust fans and the sight of those big barns were beginning to be a bit of a turn off and I found myself worrying that they would dominate the nature walk.
Well, readers, my fears were unfounded. We got past the trail head and that worry melted away as we found ourselves in a wooded wonderland. The trail was suuuuuuuper muddy (we have had so much rain lately!) ~ this made for muddy children, but it also meant we got to see fantastic animal tracks: many deer tracks, for sure, along with several others.
The trail is very flat and easy to follow, which makes it easier if you have anyone in your party who has difficulty walking on changing elevation. The view of the pond was lovely, and I think it would be gorgeous to see on a sunny day (if we ever get one of those again…). There were wildflowers in abundance and the constant sound of songbirds calling. There were occasional whiffs from the hog farm, so I wonder if this will be worse in the summer; there is a field between the preserve and the farm, though, so a tall field of corn might help block it. I can see the pond being a lovely breeding ground for mosquitoes soon, too, so be sure to bring the bug spray.
But all these comments are not meant as complaints or regrets about going. We loved our visit. Is this the most spectacular nature preserve in Indiana? Decidedly not. It’s a calm woodland. But we need these too, in this hectic, technology-driven life of ours. My children were enchanted by the simple things of the forest: the downed trees, the chipmunk on a log, the toads hopping in front of them, the ripples in the pond when a water bug moved. We all soaked up the green, rich beauty of the the still world around us and felt the calm mirrored in our spirits. It also helped that we were literally the only people there ~ and according to the sign in book at the beginning of the trail, the first people to visit in five days! no wonder there were so many animal tracks…
If you’re making a trip:
Here is the DNR info sheet on visiting the preserve.
And here is a digital scan of one of the loveliest trail guides I’ve ever seen. I would love to get my hands on a paper copy of this one, if only for the illustrations! Do note that although it mentions trail markings, there are no longer any visible on the trail.
Like many small nature preserves: there are no restrooms available. The town of Mulberry is about fifteen minutes away and has a few spots with restroom facilities. Dogs are permitted, as long as they remain on a leash.
