Why is The Trail Here?
This is what happens when I watch FB videos
Why is the trail here?
Nature enthusiasts: Because it winds around picturesque valleys, ambles through a valley following the river to the sparkling sea, whispers its way through an old growth forest carefully preserved, and tiptoes through a swamp still very much alive with ancient crocodiles.
Why is the trail here?
Environmental activists: Because we finally wrested the lands surrounding it from the multi-millionaire who owned it, and had let it become their own personal garbage dump. We replanted, restored, and re-stocked, all at great expense of time and money, and billed the stock holders for it.
Why is the trail here?
Truckers: Because this is where we were told to go and dump our loads.
Why is the trail here?
Millionaire: Well, others wanted it, so it must be valuable, so I outbid the tree huggers. Besides, that pocket valley was perfect for illegal dumping – saved me millions in disposal fees.
Why is the trail here?
Hiker: Because, back when this land was protected, this was an incredible trail to hike.
Why is the trail here?
Historian: Because this is where their ancestors trod, running the path as messengers, hunters, gatherers, and refugees. First fleeing, then venturing back to track game, then migrating on portions to follow the wild foods, then to defend their families, then to trade with other villages when they had settled the fighting, then to flee again from the people with guns. The trails were well established, and the best places to travel, so most of them were taken for roads. Those that weren’t, were still the best places to hike.
Why is the trail here?
Native: Shrug. We followed the deer.
Why is the trail here?
Deer: We were fleeing the wolves.
Why is the trail here?
Wolves: We wanted to know why the lynx was going this way.
Why is the trail here?
Lynx: There was this tree, see, and it had fallen after being there forever, and after a few years, it was perfect. I could walk over it and avoid the water, and when I touched it, I knew – and stopped long enough to sink my claws into the softened bark to get in a good, satisfying scratching. My claws were perfect, the sharpest they had ever been.
Why is the trail here?
Tree Whisper: Ask the squirrel.
Why is the trail here?
Squirrel: I buried a nut, and forgot where I put it.
About the Creator
Meredith Harmon
Mix equal parts anthropologist, biologist, geologist, and artisan, stir and heat in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, sprinkle with a heaping pile of odd life experiences. Half-baked.
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Comments (2)
Because it was & has continued to be the path of least resistance between where someone was & where they wanted to be.
Meredith! I love how you saw one path from a myriad of perspectives. I love hikes for this exact reason. You took it right down to the “root” 😆 And it was a lovely journey