“A period recourse into the wilds is not a retreat into secret silent sanctums to escape a wicked world, it is to take breath amid effort to forge a better world.”
—Benton MacKaye (1879-1975), American forester, planner and conservationist
“The intellect must not be kept at consistent tension, but diverted by pastimes…The mind must have relaxation, and will rise stronger and keener after recreation.” —(Lucius Annaeus) Seneca the Younger (d. 65 AD)
Recreation. A deceptively complex word. Its core allure comes from its Latin origin, “recreare, or create again, renew.” This renewal can be of the brain or body — an exercise that enriches you more than it tires your mind and muscles. Here are a few strategies for finding renewal through recreation:
Make getting there half the fun. Consider your recreational pursuits as both journey and destination. The physical element to your adventures has a bounty of benefits. Bicycling, walking, hiking — these are all recreational strategies, even and especially when they’re not required for a commute.
Central Iowa’s excellent network of bicycle and walking trails beckons and encourages outdoor immersion. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation developed an online compendium of trails at iowabytrail.com. The Des Moines Street Collective adds to this primary network at their own site. Judicious planning will help you utilize the inviting stop-overs dotting the landscape, like Confluence Brewing Company (by Gray’s Lake on the Meredith Trail) and The Chicken (in Orilla on the Great Western Trail).
Be willing to slow down. Pack a one-two punch on your adventure by carting along painting materials, or a journal. Have your phone camera (or a digital SLR) at the ready when you venture forth, for serendipitous discoveries can be around any corner. Be willing to stop and capture memories.
Waterways offer soul-quenching experiences. This core region of Iowa also boasts some impressive waterways. The Iowa Confluence Water Trails (ICON) offers detailed information about fun to be found on the water, both small (Big Creek, Chichaqua Bottoms) and large (Raccoon and Des Moines rivers, Saylorville Lake). Canoeing, kayaking and tubing, when the waters are safe to traverse, can be refreshing escapes from work and urban life. Fishing can be an added diversion. One Iowa photographer, while kayaking a low-water midsummer Raccoon River, even discovered the skull of an ancient bison.
Appreciate the seasonal variety. While spring through autumn may seem the optimal time for outdoor recreation, consider expanding your scope to include the benefits of living in a four-season state.
Dubuque photojournalist Mark Hirsch, while on a drive in the country, noticed a lone Bur oak tree standing in a cornfield. His serendipitous find happened during “magic hour” natural light, so he captured the image. Using the creative improv technique of “yes, and…” he returned to the same tree each day for a full year, capturing a seasonally changing montage of his stately arboreal find. Hirsch admits that the project changed his own life.
The trails and waterways invite recreational travelers into the countryside, but some seasonal inner-city delights can also be found. During the coldest times of winter, the Des Moines River below the Scott Street dam becomes a haven for magnificent bald eagles. Photographers have captured beautiful images of our national bird as they perch in barren trees lining the riverbanks, or swoop to the water to capture a piscine meal.
Make the journeys, share the discoveries, reward yourself. It’s time for recreation.
This article was originally published in Little Village’s April 2024 issue.
