Vista Outlook | Appearance of place Countryside aspect Pastoral ideal |
T
here are parts of the Maple Leaf Lake Conservation Area which appear as Western Missouri might have been prior to European settlement, especially the broad open fields surrounding the lake. At that time, prairie grasses such as big and little bluestem dominated the landscape, while timber was generally confined to ravines or along major tributaries. On this visit, I hiked through sections where the grass from last year's growth was five feet high. Fortunately it was still very early spring and ticks had yet to activate.
“Landscape is a piece that is emotional and psychological.” - Jim Hodges
