Walking the Tippecanoe Battlefield

Howdy There, Mom!

(Lynn is a horsey girl, so I am giving you a real, live, cowgirl greeting!)

How are things at The Seeing Eye in New Jersey? Lynn was telling me a little about what you and Ursula are doing in your training together, and boy did it bring back memories. Please tell Ursula that I am rooting for her and want her to be your best guide ever - after all, I love you and want you well taken care of!

Lynn was saying earlier this week that I have "settled in." I am not quite sure what she means by that, but I think she means that I am totally comfortable here. It's true -  I know the daily routines, I have been everywhere that she and Craig go, and I am comfortable in everything we do. Please know that I am happy.

One of the things I love best (second only to eating) is all the walks that we take. I get out at least twice a day (and often three times) for a jaunt around the park or the neighborhood. And once in a while, we get in the car and go some place to walk. That's always fun!

 One of my favorite places to go is the Tippecanoe Battlefield, site of the Battle of Tippecanoe. (Click that for more information.) It's a huge park along Burnett Creek and there are immense old trees in it, some that were here at the time of the Battle in 1811. (They know that because, during a recent ice storm, limbs from some of the oldest trees came down. When the groundspeople tried to put those through the wood chipper, they had to stop because there were so many musket balls embedded in the wood!)

 Photo of Craig and me walking through the grounds of the battlefield.

Lynn's mother was an author and wrote seven books on the history of Tippecanoe county, including the Battle of Tippecanoe. She also was a founder of The Feast of the Hunters' Moon, a huge festival held here to celebrate 18th century life at Fort Ouiatenon. (You can click on "The Feast of the Hunters' Moon" and "Fort Ouiatenon" in the previous sentence and that will take you to links about them.)

As a result of her mom's contributions to preserving the local history, she was honored after she died with a tree planted on the battlefield in 2017. It's a burr oak and Lynn goes out every December and hangs a Christmas ornament on it in memory of her mother.

Lynn and me standing in front of the burr oak. There are two ornaments on the tree, a bird one from Lynn and a red striped ball from Lynn's sister, Leslie.

Me sniffing under one of the ginormous old trees as we walk. Craig is holding my leash.

There is a mass grave on the grounds that very few people know about. It is where the dead from both sides were buried together. Lynn showed me where it is and she got very quiet. She says she feels that she is standing on holy ground and always prays for those who are buried there.

Photo of me striding along the top of the ridge above Burnett Creek. 

So many good smells! (And Cocoa Puffs, too!) I will admit that I got a bit distracted by all those yummy smells (and tastes.)

Craig petting me as we figure out who is going to go in which direction and sort out the leash. I wasn't watching where I was going and got it wrapped around a tree. Oops! Lynn thought that that was funny.

Brrr! It's chilly today! But I am still ready to go walk, and Lynn and Craig have told me about other places that they want to take me - I can hardly wait! (I hope they have Cocoa Puffs!)

Sending big hugs, kisses, and wiggles!
Love,

Peppermint Patty