Community Chat

[Oznell]

Was thrilled to find out there is a Great Plains Trail, in the works since the early 90's,  that goes right up the spine of the continent.

Certain people and writers are mesmerized by the Great Plains.  In Canada, the parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba which share plains characteristics are known simply as the Prairies, and they have the same mystique for Canadians.

I'm one who's always been fascinated by them, and more so, when as a teenager my parents and I criss-crossed both the Great Plains and the Prairies.  I esp. loved Nebraska/ South Dakota, and Saskatchewan/Alberta.

This is a trite observation, but there is a certain feeling of being on a bouyant, ever-moving ocean, surveying the endless grasslands, valleys and buttes of the region.  Writers and novelists have always felt the sometimes bleak but beautiful poetry.

Two brilliant American novelists have captured some of this--

Willa Cather in her classics "O, Pioneers!",  "My Antonia",  "The Song of the Lark";  

Marilynne Robinson with her Pulitzer-winner, "Gilead".

On the Canadian side:

"As For Me and My House" by Sinclair Ross

"Who Has Seen the Wind" by W. O. Mitchell.

The trail is in ongoing development, but evidently most of it is currently accessible.  Some easements, etc. are being pursued where it follows private property.

Trail marker in Nebraska.

 

If interested in the trail itself, just search:  The Great Plains Trail Alliance

[spiderw]

The Great Plains Trail sounds fascinating and exciting.  I strongly support saving historical places, protecting pristine land and keeping our history alive.  Knowing the trail is a work in progress is positive and I hope it continues until the end for all to see and experience. Thank you for this uplifting information!!!!

[Sooner]

I travel through them to get grocries.  I live where I can basically see them, and growing up an old stagecoach route could be easily seen across some of our land.

It is a harsh way of life for people and animals on those plains.  To me, it just conjures up a hard hard life. 

[Oznell]

Yes, @Sooner ,  a number of people have ambiguous feelings for the region-- certainly the writers I mentioned did.  The long-reverberating, harsh after-effects of the Dust Bowl have to play no small part.  I'm glad things like the trail can be a reminder of the special beauty of Great Plains as well.

I enjoy your enthusiasm for history and geography intertwined, @spiderw .  I'm excited too, whether I ever get to hike one foot into it again or not...   This is a magnificent continent. 

[Boomernichols]

@Oznell Thanks for the post on this part of the world.  I am in north Mississippi and will never travel to this area so it is fascinating to see!

[Oznell]

Wow, @Boomernichols ,  I didn't know you hailed from north Mississippi.  That is another area I have been long interested in.  I have never forgotten the beautiful, fragrant pine forests we drove through.

Of course, I'm also endlessly fascinated by Oxford, chiefly for being the home of the late, great William Faulkner, and so influential in his work.  Never have been there.  No doubt you are well familiar with Oxford.  It sounds like such a wonderful place, with great bookstores, etc.!

[jonbon]

Interesting--I grew up on the northern Great Plains.

[Oznell]

@jonbon, that's neat.  And it was a guy on the fringe of the Northern Plains, in Minnesota, who conceived the whole idea for the Great Plains Trail in the early 90's.

[Cakers3]

@Oznell   Thank you for another interesting thread!  You come up with the best ones.

[Oznell]

Thanks @Cakers3 --  that's very kind of you!