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Trail of the Month Program
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Hikers' Comments on Oumessourit Wetland Trail
Van Meter State Park

	Month Hiked	Comments from participants of the 2007 Trail of the Month Program
	October 2007	I hiked this trail after a storm and the view from the .25 loop was gorgeous with brilliant colors of a stormy sunset!
	October 2007	Was looking forward to doing this trail and it didn't let me down. I am amazed at how diversified Missouri is!
	September 2007	The trail is surprising. I never knew there were places like this in Missouri. Good place to visit during wetter times and bird migrations.
	September 2007	An interesting trail with lots of butterflies, bees and frogs. Sweet smells. Nice and easy to walk.
	September 2007	Lots of mosquitoes - wear insect repellent. We also hiked to the Old Fort in another area of the park. We liked the Old Fort trail much better, as the Native American history was fascinating. The visitor center was very interesting at this park.
	August 2007	This was the best trail by far this year. The whole family enjoyed watching what seemed like hundreds of frogs hop out of the grassy paths just ahead of where you stepped. This trail is a definite must do ... again and again.
	August 2007	Very different than the rest of the trails. Easy to hike and different scenery.
	August 2007	We saw hundreds and hundreds of butterflies. There were also lots of stripped frogs jumping in front of us on the trail. We found out the Oumessourit is the French spelling of O Missouri. This is the way the Indians use to spell it. It is interesting how they invented things from nothing and in a sense we still use today only have made it better.
	August 2007	Oumessourit is the French spelling for O Missouri. This is how the Indians spelled it. There were hundreds and hundreds of butterflies. There were also lots and lots of stripped frogs that were jumping along the trail in front of us. It is interesting the way the Indians lived.
	July 2007	My favorite so far -- would love to go back when there was actually water in the marsh areas. Great trail with tons of butterflies and frogs, mostly tree covered and some of the biggest trees I have ever seen. We also saw a rather large snake -- couldn't get out of the way fast enough! The cultural center was also worth the trip.
	June 2007	Another beautiful park. The trail was neat; very different from the rest. We liked the metal walkways out into the wetland area. It was neat.
	June 2007	There was lots of wildlife...deer, frogs, birds. The marsh was very interesting and had walk-outs where you could read more about that environment. Use bug spray!
	June 2007	We saw a deer jumping through the marsh. There were lots of frogs. The marshland was great to see. Take bug spray -- there were lots of bugs.
	June 2007	This trail was a nice trail to hike on a hot day. The trail is mostly shaded and the terrain was level, suitable for brisk walking. Make sure to wear mosquito repellent on this trail because of their abundance!
	June 2007	This is a great trail because on the course of its short span, it takes you through several different ecozones. Walking along the edge of the woodlands and out into the marsh, you are bound to see lots of great wildlife. On our hike, we saw two spectacular bald eagles, not to mention a variety of other plants and animals that caught our eye.
	June 2007	Disappointing except for metal "boardwalk." Van Meter State Park was nice and quiet.
	June 2007	A very peaceful state park! Be sure to look for the wildlife. There were several deer and muskrat. Bug spray a must- you are in the "wetlands." I loved the part of the trail that was suspended just over the marsh--you could get out into the marsh without walking in it.
	June 2007	This trail has a wide path for walking. Lots of wildlife to see in the marsh area. You will reach a fork in the trail. Go right and at the dead end you will find the clue but you must walk the boardwalk loop to walk over the marsh area. The boardwalk in made of metal with round holes. Not so friendly to pets. Lucky my dog was small enough to carry!
	May 2007	This trail gives you a chance to experience a walk out on the marsh land. It was hot and muggy; but the birds were singing and a gentle breeze was blowing. The park was beautiful!
	May 2007	A nicely groomed trail with a canopy of trees throughout much of the trail. Many of the trees rival the Missouri prize-winning trees in Big Oak Tree State Park.
	May 2007	Very easy hike. Walked in rain. Take the time to read the signs. This is a hike you should not miss. Also visit the information center about Missouri Indians from the area. An exciting thing about our trip--lost the keys to my car. Luckily I found them obviously since I am typing at home.
	May 2007	This was a very easy hike. I learned something about Missouri marshes I did not know before. Although this is a short hike, take your time and enjoy.
	May 2007	Bring a camera and binoculars; there is a large variety of wildlife to be seen.