Loblolly getaway

Natural beauty exists right here in Jay County.

I was scheduled to be on vacation in Michigan last month. That didn’t happen.

Frequent and recurring mechanical issues at The Commercial Review caused me to cancel my vacation.

The plan was for me to take a “stay-cation” — relax at­­ home, take my yellow lab Scooter on long walks at

area nature trails, etc. — so I would be around in the case that those mechanical issues popped up again. (They did.)

But in the one day the “stay-cation” lasted, Scooter and I headed up to Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve.

The rehabilitated swamp in northern Jay County is a great place for a long hike with plenty of nature to enjoy.

Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve, located about a half-mile north of Indiana 18 on county road 250 West, is full of natural beauty. Summer Trail, which runs for seventh tenths of a mile along the north side of Loblolly Creek before turning north and then northwest and backtracking toward the preserve’s parking area. Hikers can also branch off of Summer Trail on the east side of the marsh and head into a forested area via Woodland Trail, which also connects to Upland Trail.

A milkweed plant has pods that split to reveal the seeds that have a coma that allows them to be dispersed by the wind. Their flowers are known to attract flies, beetles, ants, bees, wasps and butterflies.

Trail One, the main trail through the grassy area east of county road 250 West. The native grasses were at least 7 feet tall as of mid-November. The area features native grasses, including switchgrass, big bluestem and indian grass, which provide food, shelter and a nesting habitat for birds and other animals. The grasses are burned occasionally to prevent woody vegetation from taking over. The grasses have deep roots that allow them to grow back quickly after a fire.

Loblolly Marsh, which is part of Limberlost Swamp, is being restored as part of an ongoing effort by Friends of the Limberlost, Indiana Department of Natural Resources and other groups. (The limberlost was originally about 13,000 acres before being drained in the late 19th century and early 20th century for farming, logging and oil drilling.)

From the parking area, there is a paved path (just under a tenth of a mile) to a bridge over Prairie Pothole Wetland. A crushed gravel trail continues for another 0.2 miles, crossing over Thornton ditch. There are additional grass service trails through a prairie area where hiking is allowed, creating about a 0.8-mile loop back to the parking area.

In total, the Loblolly features nearly 5 miles of hiking trails.