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The breeches are white and sometimes tinged with pink, and are attached to the flower stalk at the crotch by a delicate flower stem. The leaves are frilly or fern-like and grow underneath the arching flower stalk. The leaves appear first; then fragrant flowers bloom in clusters, resembling pants hanging on a clothesline. Early bumblebees come for the nectar of the flowers and pollinate them. Dutchman's breeches have a mutualistic relationship with ants called myrmecochory. Ants distribute the seeds by taking them to their nests. The ants feed on a fleshy part of the seeds and the seeds germinate and sprout from the nests. Dutchman's breeches can be found in woodlands in western Iowa and throughout much of the Loess Hills. They are easily found in Waubonsie State Park and Hitchcock Nature Center, just to name two of the many places you can find this early blooming woodland wildflower.  Duncans Poultry started in 1987 when Matt Duncan was 13 and his brother Wade was 17. Matt had experience working at a feed store in Beebeetown. They tried raising chicks and had them processed at a facility in Nebraska, but did not think the processor did the best job. They then processed some of their grandparent's birds, and started doing more processing from there. Early on, processing was completed in a small calf shed, which was quickly outgrown.  Their primary customers early on were farmers. Many customers at first preferred only slaughtering and defeathering, and would do the butchering on their own. Eventually Duncans began selling chicks and feed, and doing more butchering. In the 1990s, a boom in acreage development significantly increased demand for chickens. Many people moved out to the country and wanted small flocks of a few birds to a few dozen birds. This demand increased even further in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic. Duncans thought it might be a temporary fad, but interest has yet to wane three years later.  Their processing is custom exempt, which means poultry processed here cannot be sold to restaurants, grocery stores, or other commercial. Producers can “pre-sell” birds, meaning producers must pick up their own birds after processing. In 2020 they finished a new processing facility that can be state or federally inspected. So far, however, most of their poultry processing is still done in the older facilities. The new facility is primarily being used for deer processing, though they plan to use the state-inspected facilities more in the future. The ‘official’ building brings additional regulations and requirements, including a state or federal inspector on site during inspections. This takes longer and producers need to pick up their birds the following day, versus the same day with custom-exempt processing. The benefits of the state-inspected processing include meat could be sold at commercial outlets across Iowa. If they chose to use a federal USDA inspector, meat could also be sold across state lines to Nebraska and other states through the CIS program. With the custom-exempt processing, Duncans can get through about 100 birds per hour. Each year they process 30,000 birds or more. They raise about 1,000 of their own birds each year, and their customers come from across Iowa, Nebraska, and other nearby states.  Processing facilities at Duncan's Poultry  Processing facilities at Duncan's Poultry  Processing facilities at Duncan's Poultry  In addition to processing, Duncans sell a lot of chicks, feed, vegetable seeds, honey, and other farm supplies. Their nest boxes are becoming increasingly popular. They also have a level of knowledge of these products that most big-box store staff do not.    If you’re interested in raising poultry, contact Duncans! Even if you’re not, check out their farm store and museum with historic artifacts relating to poultry and farming. Store hours are 8am-2pm Monday thru Friday and 8am-Noon Saturdays. Check out their website and Facebook page to learn more.  Museum building at Duncan's.  Inside Duncan's museum  Trail at Littlefield Recreation Area
Littlefield Recreation Area is Audubon County Conservation Board's largest and most popular park. It began in 1965 with 40 acres of timber and 20 acres that were developed into a recreational area. In 1975 and 1976 the park's sized increase by 385 acres due to the Troublesome Creek Watershed Project. Two dams were built along Troublesome Creek forming the lake that is used for recreational purposes and flood control. There are roughly 3 miles of maintained hiking trails. The park road is also a great spot to walk or ride a bike. The timber area provides an excellent area to view and photograph wildlife & wildflowers. These trails are available for use as cross country ski trails in the winter. Littlefield Park is located six miles east of Exira on County Road F58, just a few miles north of Interstate 80. It is approximately an hour from Des Moines and an hour and a half from Omaha, Nebraska.  Click to open a larger version in a new window
The trail is hard surface making it great for biking, walking, running, and rollerblading. Most of the trail is asphalt with a few miles in the middle made out of concrete. The T-Bone Trail is a former railroad right of way; purchased with the help of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. It is named for the T-Bone event that originated in the 1950s in Audubon when the farmers all loaded up their cattle on to a train and rode with them to market in Chicago.  T-Bone Trail
Audubon's old old county home was built in 1890 for indigent persons of the county. In the 1970s the ACHS acquired the house (and other buildings) to create a museum. The facility is collectively called Nathaniel Hamlin Park. Early members of the historical society created a wonderful museum that tells the story of settlement of the area from 1850 to the present. The 2-story brick home has its original floor plan and 1800 sq.ft. of display space including: large kitchen & pantry, Victorian parlor, and bedrooms. Other room displays: quilt & sewing, military, children's play room, schools, churches, collections (beauty shop), hats & clothing, and the "Audubon" Room -- a collection of birds and animals.The park includes: one room schoolhouse, barns and antique farm machinery. That's not all -- the 10-acre park has live elk & windmill displays, and many picnic tables. Come and spend the day!  (photo by Nathanial Hamlin Park & Museum) Hiking the Byways is a regular series by Golden Hills RC&D that features publicly accessible lands open to hiking on the three scenic byways in western Iowa that Golden Hills RC&D coordinates: Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, and Western Skies Scenic Byway. Each blog post covers hiking areas in one county on one of the aforementioned byways. For questions about hiking on the byways, contact Seth Brooks (seth.brooks@goldenhillsrcd.org).
 Hiking is an excellent way to stay fit and active, not only for humans but also for our furry friends. FitPaws named April as National Canine Fitness Month to bring awareness to canine obesity and remind everyone to keep their dog active and fit. Western Iowa has great hiking opportunities, and many of them are dog-friendly. However, there are several things a responsible dog owner should know and do before hitting the trail with their pooch.
Boning up on training is another useful preparation before hitting the trails. Having a well behaved and well trained doggo will make the hike better for everyone: you, your dog, other hikers, other dogs on the trail, and wildlife. Your dog should be under voice control and know basic commands like sit, down, leave it, and others. If you hike with your dog off-leash--if it is allowed where you are hiking--reliable recall is absolutely imperative to protect your dog, other dogs, other hikers, and wildlife. Your dog should immediately return to you when instructed; if not, don't hike off-leash! When you begin to plan where you are going hiking, get to know trail regulations and trail etiquette. First and foremost, make sure dogs are allowed where you plan to visit. If it isn't clear on the park's website, call to confirm. If would be awful to arrive at the trailhead only to learn that dogs are not allowed. Don't assume every hiker will like your dog. Don't approach other dogs before asking the owner first. In a nutshell, be a B.A.R.K Ranger:
 The importance of keeping your dog on a leash cannot be understated. Hiking off-leash is a wonderful pleasure if your dog is under voice control, has reliable recall, and off-leash hiking is allowed. Watching your dog frolic freely in nature is any dog owner's dream. However, consider the following as reasons to leash your dog:
One final topic before we recommend dog-friendly hikes: plan your dog's needs while on the trail. A six-foot leash is the first thing you'll need; consider a hands-free option if you like to take pictures while hiking. Updated vaccinations, identification (name tag with contact information, and possibly an imbedded microchip), and flea and tick repellent are also integral to your dog's hiking safety. It also helpful to know how to remove a tick from your dog, as early removal helps reduce the chance of a secondary illness. A bath or grooming session post-hike will allow you to check for invaders as well as burrs, foxtails, and other debris caught in your dog’s fur. While a first aid kit should be part of everyone's ten essentials, consider a specific kit for your pet. Keeping your dog hydrated is vital, so bring a collapsible bowl and a water bottle specifically for your dog. A supply of waste bags will help you leave no trace, while food and treats will keep your dog's energy up. Finally, consider a coat for wet or cold weather; if it's hunting season, ensure your dog's safety with an article of blaze orange clothing.  Now, let's finally get to the good stuff. What are the best dog-friendly hikes in western Iowa? Well, if you've read this far, you'll know the answer: it depends on your dog! Some dogs are active and can hike for miles, while other dogs will tire out after a short jaunt. There are numerous parks, trails, and areas in western Iowa that welcome hikers with dogs--check out our Hiking the Byways series for a detailed list that includes which parks, refuges, etc., are dog-friendly. Below is a selection of great places to hike with your dog in western Iowa. Stone State Park: The trails in the southern part of the park are multi-use, including equestrian riders, so it might be best to stick to the northern trails to avoid any uncomfortable interactions with horses and dogs. The drawback, however, is that you must walk on park roads in order to connect most of the northern trails, so be cautious when walking on park roads. Bacon Creek Park: Bacon Creek Park not only has three miles of trails, it also has a large off-leash dog area for your furry friends to run and play with other doggos.
Old Town Conservation Area: Hunting is allowed at Old Town, so if you go hiking in the fall or winter, make sure that you and your dog are wearing bright orange. It's also crucial to keep your dog leashed during hunting season for its protection and out of respect for hunters. There eight miles of trails at Old Town allow hikers to create hikes of varying lengths.
West Oak Forest: No amenities, so pack sufficiently. West Oak Forest is quiet and tranquil, so you and your pup will have a great time hiking the mowed grass trails. Check for ticks after you've hiked.
Waubonsie State Park: The equestrian trails are great to hike, however, stick to Sunset Ridge and the other trails south of the highway in the state park, as dogs can spook horses. There are plenty of trails around the park office to get your dog proper exercise and enjoy wonderful views of the Missouri River Valley from Sunset Ridge.
If you'd like to see these little flowers with blue, purple, and sometimes nearly white petals, head to Harrison, Monona, Woodbury, and Plymouth counties on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. Brent's Trail and the Pisgah unit of the Loess Hills State Forest are great places to find pasque flowers. Their range also includes Shelby County on the Western Skies Scenic Byway and all counties on the Glacial Trail Scenic Byway (O'Brien, Cherokee, Buena Vista, Clay). 
 3 Bee Farms started with beekeeping in 1993, selling honey at farmers markets. Over time, they have expanded to a wide variety of vegetables and more. They currently have about 10 acres of crop production, which include Asparagus to Zucchini and everything in between. In addition to fresh produce, they sell live plants such as succulents, bedding plants, and flower & vegetable starts. They also have jams, jellies, and dressings made with some of their products. They may be known best for their hydroponic tomatoes. Their largest crops in terms of acres are pumpkins and gourds, including many unique varieties of colors and textures. They have more than 10 varieties of apples in the orchard. Kohlrabi and golden beets are some of their more popular crops, as well as onions, rhubarb, asparagus, and zuchinni. They even have a small herb garden. You can find a full listing of all 3 Bee products at https://www.3beefarms.com/products In the fall, the farm is popular for family-friendly activities like a corn maze, pumpkin patch, outdoor games, and food. Their honey-glazed snack mix is especially popular, and they have apple pies in the fall. These activities are from the Tuesday after Labor Day through Halloween. Each year they try to add new activities and amenities. Customers come from across southwest Iowa, Nebraska, and beyond. You can find 3 Bee Farms products at several farmers markets in southwest Iowa: Monday in Creston, Tuesday in Anita and Treynor, Wednesday in Avoca, and Thursday & Saturday in Council Bluffs. The greenhouse is open 10-5 Monday-Saturday and 1-5 Sunday in April and May. Details can be found at https://www.3beefarms.com/events  inside a greenhouse at 3 Bee Farms.  inside a greenhouse at 3 Bee Farms.  Farm Store at 3 Bee Farms  Farm Store at 3 Bee Farms  Dressings, jams, and other products at the 3 Bee Farms store  Crop fields yet to be planted in early spring.  Garlic at 3 Bee Farms  Chickens at 3 Bee Farms  Livestock at 3 Bee Farms  Hydroponic tomato production facilities at 3 Bee Farms  Brent's Trail near Murray Hill Scenic Overlook (© 2016 Kenneth West)
 Perhaps the best hiking on the byway is near Little Sioux, Pisgah, and Mondamin
The trail is named after longtime state forester Brent Olson. It's a partnership between Harrison County Conservation Board and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Other partners and supporters include Friends of the Loess Hills State Forest and Preparation Canyon State Park, Loess Hills Missouri River Region, Golden Hills RC&D, and Loess Hills Alliance. Murray Hill Scenic Overlook and Gleason-Hubel Wildlife Area are on the Fountainbleu byway loop. There are services in Pisgah.
Gleason-Hubel Wildlife Area is an excellent bird watching location for migrating woodland species. It is part of the Loess Hills Bird Conservation Area designated by the Iowa DNR. The wildlife area is located on the Fountainbleu byway loop one mile southeast of Little Sioux on Larpenteur Memorial Road.  Gleason-Hubel Wildlife Area (photo by Lance Brisbois)
Brent's Trail traverses the length of the unit, while there are several miles of additional trails that can be accessed via different parking areas and trailheads. There are no restrooms or reliable sources of water in the Little Sioux unit. There are services in Pisgah. The unit is bordered by the Fountainbleu byway loop.
There are several parking areas to provide access to the various parcels that make up the Pisgah Unit. Some recommended trailheads include the following (refer to the map): 118th Ln; Easton Trl west of 110th St; and the three farthest east on 145th St.  LHSF Pisgah Unit (photo by Paul Dietsch on All Trails)
The south trailhead leads to a trail that climbs the dramatic razor ridge that rises above the intersection of IA-183 and IA-127. Hiking the southern loop totals approximately 4.5 miles. The north trailhead also climbs steeply up to the ridge that runs parallel with IA-183. You can make a 3.5-mile loop back to the north trailhead. If you hike both the north and south loops, the total mileage will be around 10 miles.
Located seven miles north of Missouri Valley off Loess Hills Trail (L20), the wildlife area is not directly on the byway but is a short drive from the main route. Access to Sawmill Hollow Wildlife Area is on a Level B dirt road.  Sawmill Hollow Wildlife Area (photo by Harrison CCB)
The Old Town Conservation Area is located off Lima Trail about 3 miles southeast of the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway and Missouri Valley. There are two parking areas that provide access to the trails.  Old Town Conservation Area (photo by Lance Brisbois)
There are 6 miles of hiking trails with Smart Trail interpretive signs using QR (quick response) codes allow users to learn about the Loess Hills and Iowa's natural resources. The Willow Lake Recreation Area is also an excellent location for bird watching, especially migrating songbirds and waterfowl. Willow Lake Recreation Area is not located on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway but is a short drive from the main route near Logan or the Orchard Ridge loop from Pisgah. It is located 6 miles northwest of Woodbine on F20L (Easton Trail).  Willow Lake Recreation Area (photo by Harrison CCB)
Schaben Park is not located on the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway but is a short drive from the main route or the Orchard Ridge loop. It is located 2 miles off Highway 30, between Woodbine and Dunlap on 141st Lane (gravel road).  Schaben Park (photo by Amy Cramer on All Trails)
The official Iowa Welcome Center provides tourism information and assistance to travelers. The Iowa Products Store offers food, beverage, clothing, crafts, and a wide variety of souvenirs. Stretch your legs on the 1-mile trail and learn about the Loess Hills. The 0.41-mile Concrete Trail is accessible to wheelchairs. There are many stairs along the 0.34-mile Limestone Trail Hiking the Byways is a regular series by Golden Hills RC&D that features publicly accessible lands open to hiking on the three scenic byways in western Iowa that Golden Hills RC&D coordinates: Glacial Trail Scenic Byway, Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, and Western Skies Scenic Byway. Each blog post covers hiking areas in one county on one of the aforementioned byways. For questions about hiking on the byways, contact Seth Brooks (seth.brooks@goldenhillsrcd.org).
Dog owners should be courteous and responsible when visiting off-leash dog parks. Most parks require all dogs to be licensed and current on vaccinations. As a result, puppies younger than four months are not allowed in dog parks, as they have not yet received their full dose of shots. Dog waste bags are provided at some parks, but always bring your own just in case bags aren't provided or the supply has been used by other dog owners. Be kind and pick up after your pet.
Below is a list of off-leash dog parks in western Iowa. If we missed any parks, please contact us (info@goldenhillsrcd.org) and we will update the list. It's prudent to contact the park's manager, usually the city parks and recreation department, to inquire about specific rules and regulations.
The parking lots and sidewalks were updated in 2022. Come admire the entryway with chainsaw carved dog likenesses carved by known artist Jeff Coss of Bear Grove Chainsaw Carvings! More carvings coming in 2023!
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