October 3, 2000

glad you're alive to see?

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I took an hour off this afternoon to zip over to the Au Train Songbird Trail in the Hiawatha National Forest Au Train Campground.  It wasn't a sunny blue sky kind of day, but I went anyway.  A slideshow of additional photos from the hike is available.  You can Click Here or you can reach it at the top of the Photo Album page.

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This is a photo of an impressive tree stump at the side of the trail.  Logging began in the Au Train area in 1861 and major logging occurred in the 1880's.  Unfortunately, we can only imagine how magnificent this giant must have been.

I was about ten minutes into the hike when I was startled by a ruffed grouse blasting out of the underbrush.  

The first third of the trail follows Buck Bay Creek.  From the trail, there are many great views of the creek.  The sound of the water adds to the hiking experience.  I only saw a few birds, but heard them all along the trail.

 

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Just past the halfway point of the hike, I stopped to admire the colorful foliage surrounding the Grass Pink Bog.  There are a few benches along the trail to allow hikers to rest and admire the scenery and one of them is located at the bog.

I encountered no other hikers on the trail.  If you're seeking a little peace and quiet, I heartily recommend the Au Train Songbird Trail.

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"But why think about that when all the golden land's ahead of you and all kinds of unforeseen events wait lurking to surprise you and make you glad you're alive to see?"

- From Jack Kerouac, "On the Road" 

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