Obviously we bogged.
Why? Two reasons:
First, my yard happens to be a bog (well, not in the “official” definition of the word but it’s WET) and I considered this gardening research. You know, really diving in to see what the heck I can grow in all my standing water.
Second, this summer when I was going to the bog for my Master Naturalist class (yes, I’ve done this twice in a matter of months) my daughter Ellie was so excited the whole week prior. “When are you going to the bog?” “Aren’t you excited to go to the bog?” Bog this. Bog that. What on earth was she so excited about? I had no idea until I arrived and stepped onto the mat. Unbelievable! Mother Nature at her finest. No, it does not smell. Yes, it is breathtakingly beautiful.
Some teacher along the way did a great job introducing her to the importance and magnificence of these wetlands. My sixth grader is smarter than me.
My fearless bog walk leader, Professor Raymond Gates (Gator) said I could bring Ellie back in the fall with his Cornerstone University biology class.
This time I braved the bog with camera in hand. It was a perfect fall day. What an incredible experience! Thanks Gator!!
The Bog
Created by glaciers.
No water flows in or out.
Carnivorous Pitcher Plant
They eat bugs.
Because of this, kids love them.
Partially Digested Moth
Fine hairs keep unlucky insects from escaping.
The Bog Mat.
Made up primarily of sphagnum moss.
Feels like you’re walking on a waterbed.
1 lb of sphagnum moss holds 25 lbs of water.
By the way, flip flops are not a great shoe choice for the bog.
Found out the hard way.
Gator teaching.
Hands-on…the best way to learn!
Not your average class.
A dip in the open water in the middle of the bog mat.
Bet we’ll all remember the material though.
No memorization or notecards necessary.
Mustering guts.
Water was thick. Very thick.
We bogged!
Ellie, Gator & Me
*56% of the coastal and inland wetland acreage in the lower 48 states has been destroyed since the first Europeans arrived:(
*Two plants I’ll try in my bog of a yard; pitcher plants & arrow arum:)
*Please don’t tell my husband that we drove his convertible to the bog that day. Thanks!
Dan
Wow! Thought you did one of those mud races that seem to be catching on. Surprised there isn’t a smell to it all!
Purpose
Dan: After I jumped in I swore that I would never complain about any open water tri swim…ever again. Even the one where we were wading in muck with snails surrounding us. This water was THICK. Anything else will be perfect in my book:)