Kickapoo: From Here to There
Living gratefully today, I appreciate meditation time and where it takes me. I also give thanks for the walls and windows of our stable home.
This weekend, we stayed in a cabin very near the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Though I had heard the word "kickapoo" before, I could tell you little about it. We chose to watch a video available in our cabin, titled "The Kickapoo Valley Reserve: From Here to There." Watching it brings more meaning to the place and space, as well as our time there.
Kickapoo is believed to be an Algonquin word meaning "from here to there." It's a fitting name for the river that winds through this area for about 125 miles before feeding into the Wisconsin River not far from where it feeds into the Mississippi River.
Settlers had lived in the area since the mid-1800's, displacing the Native Americans of the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) Nation who had lived there for many centuries. Flooding was a recurring problem and a dam was begun in the 1960’s, after significant flooding in the area for decades. Nearly 150 families sold their land and farms. Buildings were demolished and burned to make way for the project.
Politics, budget issues, and growing concern about the environmental impact of the project ended up stalling it out and then halting the entire project by the mid-1970's. The area was then abused and unmanaged for the next 20 years.
The history of the land, and the emotions of many people tied to it, ended up turning it into something positive. It would remain public land and be returned to the state. The Kickapoo Valley Reserve was dedicated in May of 2001. The visitor center was opened in 2004. The area is now enjoyed year-round by hikers, bikers, horseback riders, skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers, campers, students, educators, and more.
The beautiful and unique area, along with some rare species of plants and animals, endured and is now used by nature lovers and those who love outdoor activities. From here to there. From there--complicated times and controversy, to here--8,600 acres of scenic countryside available to be enjoyed by many. Darcy and I are grateful we are now counted in that many.
Here are two more pictures, showing the winding Kickapoo River and unique sandstone bluffs:
This weekend, we stayed in a cabin very near the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Though I had heard the word "kickapoo" before, I could tell you little about it. We chose to watch a video available in our cabin, titled "The Kickapoo Valley Reserve: From Here to There." Watching it brings more meaning to the place and space, as well as our time there.
Kickapoo is believed to be an Algonquin word meaning "from here to there." It's a fitting name for the river that winds through this area for about 125 miles before feeding into the Wisconsin River not far from where it feeds into the Mississippi River.
Settlers had lived in the area since the mid-1800's, displacing the Native Americans of the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) Nation who had lived there for many centuries. Flooding was a recurring problem and a dam was begun in the 1960’s, after significant flooding in the area for decades. Nearly 150 families sold their land and farms. Buildings were demolished and burned to make way for the project.
Politics, budget issues, and growing concern about the environmental impact of the project ended up stalling it out and then halting the entire project by the mid-1970's. The area was then abused and unmanaged for the next 20 years.
The history of the land, and the emotions of many people tied to it, ended up turning it into something positive. It would remain public land and be returned to the state. The Kickapoo Valley Reserve was dedicated in May of 2001. The visitor center was opened in 2004. The area is now enjoyed year-round by hikers, bikers, horseback riders, skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers, campers, students, educators, and more.
The beautiful and unique area, along with some rare species of plants and animals, endured and is now used by nature lovers and those who love outdoor activities. From here to there. From there--complicated times and controversy, to here--8,600 acres of scenic countryside available to be enjoyed by many. Darcy and I are grateful we are now counted in that many.
Here are two more pictures, showing the winding Kickapoo River and unique sandstone bluffs:
Comments
Post a Comment