Exploration Guides

The Advantages of Exploring in the Fall

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not a huge fan of fall or winter, in general, but there is, however, one, distinct advantage to this time of year. From the time in early fall, when the undergrowth has largely died down, until there’s heavy snow, then again from the time the snow melts until the undergrowth takes over, it’s the best time to look for new ruins in forested areas.

In the winter, everything buried under snow. In mid-summer, it can sometimes seem it’s buried just as deep in mosquitoes, and it’s just as hidden with undergrowth. You can still go explore your world, of course, and you should, but time time of year, it can be a little easier to spot new things.  This weekend, while hiking in Ortonville State Recreation Area, some friends and I found this.

It’s a little hard to see, unless you zoom in, but once you do, you’ll see the remains of a stone basement wall.  We found two basements I hadn’t seen before, and part of a car body, too, all in places I’ve repeatedly walked by in spring and summer without even noticing them.

And don’t forget, your first chance to see Rediscovering Edsel Ford’s Haven Hill will be on Wednesday at 6pm at Hartland’s Cromaine Library, in downtown Heartland.  Following the film, I’ll be answering questions on Haven Hill, archaeology, and filmmaking.

October 18, 2015 - Posted by admin | hiking, Trail reports, video