Zac Simpson ’09 – As I explained my pleasant position of hiking Indiana trails to a fellow hiker at McCormick’s Creek State Park he remarked, “Living the dream”. After a splendid weekend hiking Turkey Run State Park, participating in the 13^th Annual Run with the Foxes at Morgan-Monroe State Forest, and sauntering through McCormick’s Creek State Park I am resolved to believing I am doing just that, living the dream.

On Friday, I ventured to our nearby Turkey Run for an afternoon of history, photos, and chat with weekend hikers.Being one of the most visited state parks in Indiana, second only to Indiana Dunes, it was no surprise to share the trails with so many fellow hiking enthusiasts. My stay lasted some four hours, in which I observed the vast array of activities offered at Turkey Run. 

Trail 6 proved to be a resonance of the history and importance of Indiana’s state park system. On the trail is Leiber Cabin, a small cabin transported early in the conservation mission in Indiana, which served as the first Indiana parks museum. The cabin now houses a history lesson on state parks and Richard Leiber, the father of Indiana state parks, influence.

Leiber spear-headed the acquisition of 10 state parks, a system that served as a role model for the national scene, and was the first to put forth the belief that people should pay a small fee to benefit the park for future generations and because with a small investment one gets more enjoyment. Other trails through the Rocky Hollow Falls Canyon Nature Preserve offered an insight into the virgin woods of an Indiana long lost.

Early Saturday morning I set out to Morgan-Monroe State Forest to further enjoy the community aspects of nature enthusiasm. I was joined by some hundred hikers or so who raced or walked 5K, 10K, 15K, or a Mini-Marathon through the calm woods. I myself, accompanied by my girlfriend, chose to walk the 5K, and was joined by some 20-30 individuals and their families. Numerous people commented on our lingering pace and trail long videotaping. My response amounted to an observation of others and nature, not a personal challenge to compete for first in a race. The money from the event gained the participant a t-shirt and the enthusiast at large much more. Money funded the Hoosier Hiker’s Council’s efforts to preserve, maintain, and expand single use trails in Indiana, most notably being the current project to expand the Knobstone trail from 58 miles to roughly 158.

The afternoon proved to be a venture into the first state park of Indiana, McCormick’s Creek, Turkey Run being the second. It is here that the Richard Leiber spent his last days. My experience at McCormick’s Creek was a contrast of tall, age-old trees and a dark cave, eased by the presence of others. I was pleased to be befriended by so many people strolling through the park with their families and/or canine companions. The most notable experience was the careful maneuvering through Wolf’s Cave. My girlfriend and I were without a flashlight and she had her fears of dark tight spaces, yet we still crawled our way through the wondrous cave accompanied by so many young children that were eager and without fear. At times you must literally crawl through spaces that are 1-2 feet wide.

At days end, the exhaustion in my legs and the memorable experiences were surmounted by the community feelings that aroused while out in Indiana’s wilderness. Perhaps a quote by Charles Schultz says it best, “Running is very beneficial. It’s good for your legs and feet. It’s also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed.”