A Delightful and Spooky Hike

Last Saturday, Jacob and I took a spontaneous drive to Mitchell to check out a trail near Lake Mitchell. The weather (inaccurately) stated we wouldn't have rainfall until early afternoon, so we headed to Turtle Trail and parked the car.

We started our walk without hoods. Then it started to rain.
(photo by Anna Jauhola)

This is the most wonderful walking trail I've been on! It probably took us a half hour to walk it, but we stopped and looked around too, we didn't just hike it as fast as we could. It's wooded and despite being right next to Indian Village Road, it is quiet and peaceful. The trail is well-maintained and we found many interesting features.

Jacob on the longer of the two bridges
along Turtle Trail. (photo by Anna Jauhola)

Jacob on the "hand tree."
(photo by Anna Jauhola)

Jacob particularly enjoyed the "hand tree" (at left).  He also enjoyed the two small bridges that allow hikers to cross treacherous ravines (drainage ditches) while making the pleasant hike.

Jacob stands, unafraid, to enter the dark path.
(photo by Anna Jauhola)

We also had one spooky experience while traversing this delightful hidden treasure. After walking through a lightly wooded area and coming into a bright clearing, we saw our path would lead to a dark tunnel.
Although it didn't seem too ominous, and I said, "Oh no, Jacob, look! A dark and scary path!"
Jacob (not to be deterred) said, "Don't worry, Mom. Onward!" quoting a character from a book series he is reading.
As if to add to the ambiance, while on the dark path, it began to rain -- lightly at first, but then it was steady enough to leave us both chilly.
But we didn't care!
Jacob spotted (using his Cub Scouting skills, no doubt) that beavers had chewed away at a couple trees so we stopped to look at those. (It was raining too hard by that time for me to get a good picture without getting soaked.)
We spotted many large rocks jutting out of the ground to the sides of the path, and admired the changing leaves as we made our way back to the car.

Jacob and I declared our hike was one of the best outings, and we'd definitely be back to Turtle Trail, and perhaps check out a couple of the other trails around the lake.
There are plenty, by the way! Just check out the City of Mitchell's website. There are a lot of things to do in the area, if only you're willing to take an adventure!