This is an especially interesting time to go out to
Arrowhead Park in Sioux Falls for a stroll around the quarry ponds to view the
geese and ducks who have decided to remain in our area during the winter.
The ponds have aerators to keep a portion of the surface ice
free, and the city parks department spreads corn kernels along the shore within
the park for their dining pleasure. In addition, visitors distribute corn and
other food to the birds at the pond nearest the parking lot at the entrance.
So, hundreds of geese and ducks, maybe thousands, gather
throughout much of the winter and present quite a show for visitors.
For the past few years, the parks department has kept the
paved trail that runs through the park open from the parking lot along far east
26th Street to the Wallace Dow designed barn.
The trail along the back section of the park has not been
cleared in years past, but perhaps this may come to pass at some point in the
future. For now, however, the snow
has melted, and the trail throughout the park is clear of snow and ice.
There is not a lot of traffic along the trail at this time
of year. For the past few days, my
wife and I have bundled up and made the 30-minute hike on sunny
afternoons. The temperatures have
not been too cold – in the 20s and 30s - but the wind can be uncomfortable.
As they say, though, there is no inclement weather; there is
only inappropriate dress. If we dress for the weather, most of us will be fine
strolling throughout the winter.
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