A Walk With Gene

Gene Stratton-Porter wrote "Music of the Wild" about a place she loved which was about one mile south of the cabin. Today, some of the area that Gene walked is a nature preserve called Music of the Wild. We will let Gene introduce you to this area.  We hope you enjoy your walk with her.

"If the Limberlost loves admiration, here it receives a full share. The banks are covered with enough trees and bushes to make almost continuous shade for the waters, and a thing of beauty it goes laughing on the way to the Wabash [River]."

"......the [Limberlost Creek] flows through the upper corner of the old Limberlost Swamp, hurries across the road once more and so comes singing into Schaffer's meadow."

"Here [Limberlost] creek reaches deep-shaded channel once more and bursts into song crossing Armantrout's pasture; for it is partly shaded, many large trees on the banks are felled. A happy song is sung on the Rayn farm, where it is sheltered by trees and a big hill. In full force it crosses the road [US 27] again, slides below the railroad bridge, rounds the hill, chanting a requiem to the little city of the dead [Burris Cemetery] on its banks......" 

"When the Limberlost leaves the thicket and comes into the open again it does not spread, as it did on the bed of ooze; for in the firm clay soil of fields and meadow only a narrow channel is cut, and so with forces renewed by concentration it comes slipping across Bone's woods pasture." 

"There is little variation, and the birds are the strongest accompanists. Later, when it falls into the regular channel, it sings its characteristic song and appears so much happier and more content."

We hope  you enjoyed your walk with Gene. Her words came from Part II of Music of the Wild. It is not too often that you can walk into a book that is over one-hundred years old. All of the Limberlost Territories are left in a natural state for all to enjoy.