BortmasPhoto
Photo Documentary: 3 Creeks Metro Park - Visit 1
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.
- American Indian Proverb
The First Time
If you really just need to get away from the noise and culture of the city, Columbus has an impresssive list of Metro Parks from which to choose. I had visited quite a few on the list, and was feeling the need for a new adventure. Three Creeks had immense potential for exploration and discovery, and it was relatively close. I was surprised I hadn't heard of it sooner.
It was the end of February, and there was still snow on the ground, but it wasn't all that cold. I layered well, and laced my boots up tight. It was a nice day for a walk in the park.
After some missed turns and bad directions I arrived at the park a little after noon. I was greeted by a very loving stray cat that followed me across two soccer fields before giving up and chasing after someone else. I crossed a foot bridge and stepped off the paved path down to Alum Creek.
The water was shallow, which was great; it allowed me to really get into the creek bed and search for fossils. I am amazed at the historical record held in rock. Unfortunately, the first few things I found were not millions of years worth of history. These discarded bits of plastic would set the tone for my subsequent visits to Three Creeks.
First, the fallen soldier.
...and then, brightly colored weapons of mass destuction (WMDs).
I even glimpsed an endangered species! Some of you may remember it as film. I wondered whose memories were lost.
Eventually, I found what I was looking for. The specimens were diverse, each unique in character, and very high quality. I collected many types that I'd never come across before.
In my imagination, I even found one that looked like a happy whale.
I placed it in my bag and continued.
Natural and Un
I walked, stopped, crawled and searched. I stepped over nothing before looking to see where my foot was going. The tiny world below me was brought into focus; brief moments of clarity where things could be identified and appreciated, left or collected, looked upon with disdain. I was all alone in the woods, but never far enough away. A bird landed in the water behind me, breaking a long silence.
I have come to the conclusion that Pepsi truly is the choice of this generation. Outside of beer, I come across more bottles and cans from this soda producer than anyone else. To be honest, the rarity in which Coke makes an appearance is surprising. Perhaps Coke drinkers recycle.
I Don't Do Backtracking
I crossed Alum again, and headed back towards the car. The days were still short, and it was beginning to get dark already. The sun had managed to find a large cloud to hide behind, and the temperature was falling accordingly. I skirted a corn field, but found myself back at the water soon enough.
I followed a cold trail...
...that led me to this guy.
I kept moving.
The trees that grow along the banks of rivers and streams are something else. They fight the current, they fight rodents and pests, they fight erosion. They survive by building an awesome root system to keep them strong. Take a lesson from a tree.
The last thing I saw before I broke out on to a soccer field was an oddly placed gallon of milk. The seal was intact, a sell-by date 2 months past; a complete waste.
I'd barely entered in to this park. There was still so much more to see. I'd have to come back. Even though mine was the only car in the parking lot, I walked right past it. It was dark, and definitely time to get home.
At the time, I had no idea what I was getting into.
-Craig