Just a few weeks ago now Mrs. T., Baron and I took our last hike together. We
were looking for shooting stars. Not the kind that one looks up into the night
sky to find but instead in a very special place. That place was a few miles south of us across
the Iowa border. Near
Chester is a remnant of America’s frontier past. It’s a three hundred plus acre
plot of never tilled land. It’s called Hayden Prairie.
The preserve is named after Ada Hayden, who was the first
woman to receive a doctorate at Iowa State College (now called Iowa State
University). Her doctorate was earned in 1918, making her the fourth student,
male or female, to obtain a Ph.D. at Iowa State College. In 1920 she was
appointed Assistant Professor of Botany at Iowa State. Teaching probably
occupied a great deal of her time until 1934, when her appointment was changed
to a research position in the Agriculture Experiment Station.
She devoted herself to prairie preservation and research
and wrote 29 papers, most dealing with
Iowa flora. She campaigned for a system of prairie preserves. Take a look……
Dodecatheon meadia (Midland Shooting Star)
Midland Shooting Star, or often called just 'Shooting Star',
is one of several varieties found in the Upper Midwest. It is a strong bloomer with
a few dozen flowers often coming out of each plant; especially in moist rich
soils. The color variation that naturally occurs in any population of Midland
Shooting Star ranges from purple to pale pink to almost white.
There were literally thousands of shooting stars in this magical place. I'll post an unusual prairie plant in my next post.
Love the Shooting Stars, which we have planted in our California native plants garden, but to no success. Yet just a mile and a half from our house they grow in the worst conditions and flourish. Little debutantes with strict tastes.
ReplyDeleteLoved this posting.
All joys,
Sharon
P.S. And thanks for reminding me of the U.S. Grant memoirs. Something I've been meaning to read.
ReplyDeleteHard to believe he was in such horrible pain as he slaved over this invaluable glimpse into a great man's head.
Recently read many of my family's Civil War letters. Such insights.
what a sweet last hike with baron. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stars, and look so healthy!
ReplyDeleteTex and I share a thought that it was very nice to see Baron out with you one last time.
Jo in MN
Looks like an beautiful place for a hike, one that will be memorable for more than just the beauty of the surroundings.
ReplyDeletewow, a woman with a doctorate in 1918! Good for her, and whoever encouraged her! That is interesting. Love the photos with Baron. Such a handsome boy.
ReplyDeleteOur beautiful prairie land. Such a shame - it keeps shrinking. Wish people understood its importance. The Shooting stars are pretty.
ReplyDeleteAda Hayden was apparently a woman of both foresight and ability.
ReplyDeleteBaron looks so happy. I am sure it was a bittersweet posting, but the flowers and the pictures are all filled with love and light.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful lady and place - I'm pleased to have learned of this unbroken land!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a shooting star in MN, but know that we have them in parts.. I was thrilled to find & recognize them while in Colorado last June. They are pictured here: http://ourfunwithfive.blogspot.com/2012/07/colorado-vacation-rocky-mountain.html
These pictures & memories with Baron are a treasure.
Beautiful flowers! Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful photographs of dear Baron. I know you will treasure them. I enjoyed the tribute to this ground-breaking woman.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that she and a handful of others had the foresight to preserve these special places. We owe them a debt of gratitude.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely flowers. Don't have them here in New Mexico (to my knowledge). Loved the prairie photos and the historical background.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about this kind of shooting star or about Ada Hayden. Thanks for the photos, and condolences on the loss of your lovely dog, Baron.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to know that some parts of the tall grass prairie has been preserved. Beautiful flowers and Baron looked so handsome among them. I know it helps but also hurts to have so many pictures of that fine fellow.
ReplyDeleteNice memories of Baron on this hike. Lovely post and photos. I can only imagine how much you must miss him!
ReplyDeleteI love the tall grass prairies..and this year the grass is tall enough to tickle a Buffalo's belly:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful flower, I have not seen Shooting Stars in the wild..wonderful photos! What a lovely pic of Baron enjoying some time with you. What a sweet boy. I hope you are feeling less sad..he will be forever in your heart:)
Beautiful flowers and nice to see a shot of Baron.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to keep my eye out for these Ray -- such pretty little perfect blooms.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty!
ReplyDeleteAnd of course, sweet Baron was the star of those photos. :)
Hope you are keeping well my friend.
xo Catherine
It is a shame there is not more Prairie native grasslands left. There is a park in western Canada, (I forget which Province) that has a rather large wild prairie. They have introduced Bison on it, which of course helped maintain the Prairie along with wild fire. I was reading about prairie lands of southern Ontario (south of Rice lake) To find some of the rare original plants they explore ancient grave yards, which have been left very much undisturb.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place for a last hike with your beloved Baron. I would love to walk in that prairie all in bloom!
ReplyDeleteOh I have never seen shooting stars like these they are very pretty. I never heard of them before. Beautiful. B
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place. I'm glad at least one untouched bit of American prairie remains.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great place to take Baron on his last long walk. When our Molly (lab before Daisy) was in her last days, we took her to a shallow canal for one last swim. Even though we had to help her in and out of the water, she had a great time paddling around.
Thankful for prarie preservation and those that pioneered it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you and the Mrs. got to spend some special moments walking among the stars with Baron.
ReplyDeleteprairie is a foreign habitat to me. It is something i would love to explore. Maybe some day. in the meantime, thanks for inviting us along with you.
ReplyDelete