Kip’s Comments - May 8, 2025

May 8

What Is Kip Doing in Freda Haffner’s Kettlehole?

Before I retired last year I made a personal goal to continue exploring areas in the Okoboji area that had become special to me over the years. I first found them while at Okoboji for an annual Emergency Management conference.

Today was my day to make the annual trek to the NW section of Iowa. I had four stops on my agenda, including a good exploration of the Freda Haffner Kettlehole State Preserve outside of Okoboji.

The Freda Haffner Kettlehole is a glacial depression surrounded by prairie. The Nature Conservancy purchased the property that is now a state preserve. During my many visits to the kettlehole I have, not once, had any others on the property with me. My hunch is the number of folks exploring the kettlehole is likely quite low, making it my kind of place!.

Imagine this… I was about two -thirds of the way down the kettlehold slope, lying on the ground (among the ticks and prairie grasses), photographing wildflowers. As I was on the ground I heard voices coming down the slope in my direction. I looked up to see three spiffy-dressed folks fast approaching. Then it hit me… I knew them. Son of a gun… my friends from the Iowa Flood Center were in the area and stopped by the kettlehole for a look. They were just as surprised to see it was me - a retired guy from Bremer County. What was Kip doing lying on the ground in Freda Haffner’s Kettlehole???

We laughed, caught up a bit on things, took some pictures, and went on with our days. I have lost track of the number of times I have laughed about the unexpected reunion of friends in the Freda Haffner Kettlehole. What are the chances!!!

You three were the highlight of my day. What fun!!!