People here in Virginia just haven't got a clue about how blessed they are to be surrounded by woods. There are trees everywhere here. And what do they do with them? They tear them down! I can understand to a point, because really, if you want to build anything you have to tear some down since every square inch is covered in them. But sometimes I wonder what they think they will do when they are all gone, except for a few pockets here and there. There are still deer all over here - to say nothing of racoons, rabbits, possum, squirrels, chipmunks, snakes, frogs and crazy birds. Where on earth will they go?
These pictures are just some snapshots taken last month on the road leading to my neighborhood. I love this stretch - it is windy and heavily wooded and so alive. A new bunch of homes was added on one side, but I have been okay with that, since the rest has remained the same, but now there are currently two developments under way and a new one was begun this morning. Which is where this is all so (seemingly) randomly coming from. The same woods I went creeping through with my brother shortly after I moved into my house, the same woods that were so full of critters I could barely walk without hitting a web, are now being bulldozed to make room for a PUD. I was so upset when I drove past this morning I almost veered off the road. It really just breaks my heart.
And I know there is a war on. Or two. Or hundreds. And I know there are any number of crimes and tragedies happening on any given day. But maybe that is why this is is all the more important. Maybe because life is the way it is, I need the wild, innocent places. I hope people here realize what they are doing before it's too late. After all, you don't know what you got...
7 comments:
That is so true, Kristin. It's depressing to see that happening in such beautifully wooded areas. I have to watch that occur here in Oregon, as well. And why are we so affected by it? Development like that happened all the time in Utah. But I supposed I never was so shocked by it in Utah because I never neceessarily watched acres of trees be bulldozed. It was chunks of mountainside being ripped out. Still heartbreaking, though. Land is land is land, but when a tree stands upon it, it seems like it's already been staked and claimed. The tree is the inhabitant and so are all the wonderful little critters.
The people in Portland are pretty serious about protecting their green spaces, but on the outskirts, we still see countrysides turn into row houses every so often. But optimistically, Portland has turned one of its most run-down industrial areas into the poshest neighborhood in the city. The "Pearl District" is a fine example of smart economic (and earth-friendly) use of previously worthless city space.
(Hey - this is my "comment"? This is a whole chapter! Don't let me highjack your blog!)
Here is a more appropriate comment: Those photos are beautiful. What a shame that they may not always be there for you to enjoy. :(
No worries about the long comment - that's the whole point of this thing! I think what got me started on this again was reading something my friend Erin wrote on her blog about conservation (much more eloquently than I) - I already had been mulling over what she had said and had been having a particularly stressful week and then I drove by and just saw all this bare ground with piles of trees and it was like - WHAMMO! After I wrote that entry I wondered if it was too random, so there is the back story for you! But I am glad you liked the pictures - it really is so beautiful here.
I completely understand. Some of the most boat-rocking ideas happen when we get "random" thoughts. It's funny how in writing we organize it all, but in our heads it's just a jumble of emotion and ideas. Amazing that we can sort it all out for communication at all! You wrote beautifully and, obviously, inspired a bit of emotion from me as well. Thanks for sharing that. :)
Beautiful post, and very eloquent, you silly! I love the trees back east and in the midwest. It is so strange, coming from sagebrush country like we do, to see those thick stands of trees everywhere they haven't been leveled. And from what I have read, it used to be even more amazing.
You should read A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Then maybe you'll want to hike the AT with me someday. :)
Hey yous! Are you comin' to Utah this Christmas? Or what?
Hiya, Erin! Sadly, no - we are staying here this year. We aren't going home for a while. It is friggin' expensive now that we have to pay for Gabe's ticket as well. I wish we would all be there at the same time, though. That would make Christmas so much more fun.
Oh, and p.s. - I have been wanting to read that book for ages! I had forgotton about it. I will pick it up. And you already know I am game for that trek! Name the time, sister!
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