We were two weeks or thereabouts, too early for the fall colors of Sica Hollow, a little state park north of us. Seeing the fall colors was not the purpose of the two-night camping trip, but rather a time frame when the wood ticks would be gone and just maybe the mosquitos. No wood ticks, but the mosquitos were plentiful on Day 2 of our geocaching excursion.
This is the south ridge line of the park, looking north. I think there was more color on the north ridge line looking south, but I did not have a camera on Day 1. That was a real bummer as I saw 'forest' things I did not see on Day 2.
This was the area of one of my first caches on Day 2. I was certain the geocache container would be gone as this area obviously has Native American visitors.
Sica Hollow State Park - A Spooky & Beautiful Place
It also had deer. I spooked one as I climbed up the hill to the trees at the top.
When I finally found the cache container, hanging from a tree limb, I looked up to see a young deer approaching. I was reaching for the camera when it also ran off. I found the cache and that was the important part.
At the top of a very steep, muddy hill. Luckily, I could walk under it and did not have to move it.
something yellow
lots of the light purple daisy-like flowers
red color of sumac
one red maple leaf dancing in the breeze
wild rhubarb
more of the light lavender flowers
one of several old bridges
another sign of fall
One of the things I noticed at Sica Hollow is the lack of birds. The forest is so quiet. We did not meet anyone else on the trails. There was evidence of horses on the trails recently, but very little wildlife. As we left the park on Day 2 we saw a hawk with a snake in its mouth, but once again, until I got the camera out and ready, the hawk and snake disappeared.
There are two cemeteries at Sica Hollow. One is much easier to get to than the other. One is much smaller than the other. One has more visitors than the other.
There were four headstones in this one.
Henry Roy, age 58
Died in 1898
this on the ground next to Henry's headstone
no name
Frank Roy, age 67
Died Oct. 18, 18--
Sarah
and a fourth marker carved SW
the corner post of this little cemetery
more sumac
along the trail of Sica Hollow
From Minnesota Valley History Learning Center: "Sica Hollow is steeped in Native American, specifically Dakotan, culture and beliefs. Sica(ßiça: pronounced she-cha) translates from the Dakota language to mean "bad, evil, or malicious".An example of the nature that inspires this title are the red bogs were seen as blood of the ancestors of the Dakota people. Interpretive guides along the National Recreation Trail, the Trail of Spirits,further give new meaning to the unique nature to be found there.
The park is also of geologic importance and interest. It sits atop the Coteau des Prairies, a plateau that rises from the South Dakotan flatlands left in the wake of two diverging glacial lobes. The park also features the Glacial River Warren, a prehistoric outlet that drained glacial Lake Aggazi. Both of these, the Coteau de Prairies and Glacial River Warren, are designated National Natural Landmarks."
