Those of us who reside in Columbia, Missouri, have access to a fine network of hike-bike trails that parallel major streams as they drain toward the Missouri River. Most of these can be rather congested, especially on fair weather weekends, so, in this time of Covid-19, my wife and I headed for the Hominy Creek Trail, in northeast Columbia. While it is used by those in adjacent neighborhoods, it is not a popular destination for most residents of the city.
Indeed, on this mild, breezy afternoon, we encountered only a handful of other walkers and bikers as we hiked along the trail. Stately sycamores, flowering buckeyes and wild phlox adorned the creekside woodlands and the scenic landscape of an abandoned farm bordered a section of the trail. Turkey vultures and red-tailed hawks circled overhead as we were serenaded by a host of songbirds; most vocal were northern cardinals, Carolina wrens and common yellowthroats.
Relatively un-utilized, natural escapes are especially inviting as we practice social distancing and an effort to find such preserves introduces us to new and interesting destinations. The Hominy Creek Trail proved to be an attractive and rewarding choice.
Indeed, on this mild, breezy afternoon, we encountered only a handful of other walkers and bikers as we hiked along the trail. Stately sycamores, flowering buckeyes and wild phlox adorned the creekside woodlands and the scenic landscape of an abandoned farm bordered a section of the trail. Turkey vultures and red-tailed hawks circled overhead as we were serenaded by a host of songbirds; most vocal were northern cardinals, Carolina wrens and common yellowthroats.
Relatively un-utilized, natural escapes are especially inviting as we practice social distancing and an effort to find such preserves introduces us to new and interesting destinations. The Hominy Creek Trail proved to be an attractive and rewarding choice.
