Tallgrass Prairie

“For anybody that is curious about the Great Plains, there is going to be a show on PBS about the Tallgrass Prairie. You will see some of the beauty of this part of the world, and might see one of the things we love about living here.”

“when D?”

“I think, (underline think), that it is showing on Friday the 20th for most of the country.
When Connie Dover started singing "Home On The Range", old Dunadan started getting a little misty.”

“Oh Dunadan, you ole sweetie! How soon before the prairie is in spring bloom?”

“I also "think" that the travel channel is featuring national parks next week at 8pm through the entire week. I thought it was this week, but it's not, it must be next week.”

“Ahh, Lizzy, I knew you would post on my thread.
Make a trip in mid-to-late May and revel in the blooms.
Everybody there keeping their heads above water?”

“Gonna go check the Miss. at McGregor/Marquette, probably tomorrow. Of three roads into these towns, two are closed and under water. Supposed to crest tomorrow.

Had a bunch of flooding on smaller area rivers, too. All the remaining foot of snow we had left melted at the same time, then there were heavy rains for three days. It just takes a bit longer for all that to reach the Miss.

Much as I would like to see the prairie in bloom, don't know if I can do it this year. Flat broke. Trips on hold for time being...... unless in NE IA or SE MN. (sigh.......)”

“Thanks for the update,dun. There is always so much to watch on the travel channel and oln...speaking of programs...has anyone seen the one on oln about the Douglas family hiking in ca for a month or so? Not sure where they started but will end up in Yosemite. That 11 year old was carrying a 36 lb. pack...I'm a wimp at 30 lbs. I liked the part where they made jello in the snow. They also had a ton of food that the woman had dried. I only saw part 1, looking forward to the next part.

Liz, are you sending us a flood in the making???? Can't be anything like '93 - that was one for the record books!”

“utahiker, I mentioned catching the first part of the Douglas family show over on the women on the trail (under Just a Question, I think) thread. I bet they'll take less stuff on the next 25-day hike, though they do have kids to consider entertaining and accomodating with food. I'll be watching with you next Wednesday.

Have talked to our field biology instructor, a N. Dakotan, about Teddy R. NP for info in case I head that way in June for some hiking/BPing. The park website has a long PDF printable birding checklist which is cool. He told me the birds should still be singing in June, just watch out for the bison. He was cornered in a campground comfort station for 90 minutes once when a herd strolled in early a.m. Any body been to either unit of TRNP?”

“utahiker, yea, you might be getting some bad flooding. All along this upper part it's been cresting pretty high. Am looking at a newspaper article which says it crested at La Crosse, WI at 16.41 ft, which is a foot and a half below the flood record there, set in April of 1965.

Thursday it was 18 ft. in Davenport, 3 ft. above flood stage. Was expected to crest at Commanche (30 miles upstream from Davenport) sometime next Monday or Tuesday at between 23 and 24 ft; the river there reached 22.98 ft. in the flood of '93.

I heard the pair of river towns I wanted to see today, McGregor and Marquette, IA (as well as Prairie du Chien, WI) are closed to the public. What a mess!!

So, if you're in St. Louis or along the Miss. somewhere, better be getting prepared.

Pekka......... I, too, am intrigued by TRNP. Haven't been there. My boyfriend has. From what he says and what I've read, it sounds like a nice place to go, if you like plains, badlands, bluffs, etc. (and since you're in the Midwest, I'd think you'd relate to that kinda thing. :-)

It isn't overrun with tourists, either, although it's starting to get a lot of press for just that reason. So while you probably won't be falling over people like at Yosemite or Zion, I imagine it's kinda busy in season.

There's a long trail that connects the two units of the park. I've read about that for mt. biking (or hiking.. or packing)

I got fairly close to bison last year in Wind Cave N'tl Park and at Custer St. Park in S.D. Was photographing. But I did try to make sure I was behind a tree or Jeep or something!!

As far as tallgrass prairies, I don't think these are tallgrass, but I love them nonetheless. Anymore, around here, when I see rounded hills with just long grass on them, and maybe a shrub or cedar here and there, I think of those rolling prairie hills near Hot Springs and Custer. Sooooooo beautiful!!!”

“My advice...stay on high ground for a while, Miss L.
What are the predominant features of TRNP? Sounds intriguing.
They say that as soon as our ancestors came out of the trees, we made the grasslands our home. So, there is a natural feeling of "home" to the prairies. There are still a few places where you can see nothing but grass and hills for miles and miles in all directions out there. I thought that was what the Who was singing about when I heard that song.”

“Dunadan, the TRNP website has pretty fair info. A mix of badlands, prairie, river bottoms and bluffs it seems. Home to bison and prairie dogs, golden eagles and deer and antelope ... gee, sounding a bit like "Home on the Range."”