BortmasPhoto
Photo Documentary: 3 Creeks Metro Park - Visit 3
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.
- American Indian Proverb
The Last Visit
On my third and final visit to 3 Creeks there was much that needed to be wrapped up. I drove past Smith's Farm, famous for something, and arrived at the park fairly early.
The area between Alum Creek and Big Walnut was my goal. I parked in the Madison Mills area and crossed the bridge on Williams road. Dropping down in to the brush put me on the opposite shore of Alum Creek. I worked my way down the water line, occassionally using the other shore as a reference point from my last visit. At my first stop I admired the history written in stone.
The more modern writing on the wall was not far behind.
I began to think that Neptune himself had given up on our waterways; or was somewhere crying.
I moved on.
I passed the floating trees mentioned in Visit 2, as well as something a bit fishy. Only a bit.
I crossed under 270. The area opened up quite a bit, and I was presented with a harsh irony. Everywhere I looked there were plastic containers. These pots used to grow and nurture plant life were now just litter on the landscape. They came in all shapes and sizes, singles and stacks, stuck in trees and mud...hundreds of them.
I pushed past it all; the further I was from the highway the less of them I saw. Once inside, it didn't take long to find my first real bone. Something had taken up residence, and I was just getting started, so I left it alone.
I walked silently through the woods. Grasses and other ground cover were sprouting up everywhere. Their determination seemed effortless, and I realized that my chances of finding anything of interest would be consumed in no time. Winter was gone, life was returning. If I had done this next week, the story would be different.
I had arrived early in the hopes of finding more wildlife. There were many signs planted along my path, but for the most part the walk was extremely quiet.
When I did finally come across some geese, they must have thought it quiet, too. They didn't budge from their naps, and I tried my best not to disturb them.
Organic Net
I could see an important destination ahead, so I left the geese. In Visit 2 I mentioned an "Organic Net." I wasn't satisfied with the image I provided, as it didn't capture what my eye's could see. One of my intents on this trip was to provide a clearer picture of this tragedy. The following images will give you a definitive idea on just how much a problem this really is.
Of course I didn't listen.
And yes, that is a boat.
I could hear the plastic puckering and popping in the mid-day sun. I thought about the things trapped inside, and the pieces that had floated to the bottom. I crossed from one side to the other to take it all in. There was just so much of it; more than I expected.
Before leaving the area I walked around the tiny island I was now on. I thought about the impact, and what it all meant. The answer was presented to me with a brutal smack; It's the American Way, man.
Satisfied with the information I had collected, I crossed back over the interlocked timbers, gathered my things and turned my back to the mess. I was already at the confluence, and Big Walnut was just ahead.
Big Walnut
Big Walnut is definitely the widest of the three creeks. Its current is fast and strong, and has it' own distinct sound. The banks were nearly vertical, and there were very few places where the water was low enough to expose the bed beneath.
I stayed on the shoreline, looking down at the muddy waters and wondering what lived below the surface. I turned in towards the woods. The terrain was wavy; large ditches had been carved through, filled in and dug again. I made my way across and stumbled upon my first treasure. I'd seen the signs, but I never expected to find this!
Both jaw bones were found with a complete set of teeth. I explored the area for quite a while. Various other creatures made an appearance before I moved on. A raccoon skull...
something else...
these two sunbathers...
and more deer parts.
The power and destructive force of Big Walnut was clear. You could see it's effect on everything. I shot a few more pictures of the area before moving on. The following image is four photos stitched together.
Last Leg
I headed in the general direction of home. The day was on, and I was hungry. Very little else interested me. I cut through a marsh, and a patch of pine. An overgrown service road kept me off the highway. I walked too far, and had to follow a dry ditch back to Alum. Miles and months from when I first saw him, an old friend re-appeared, and I knew that I was on track again.
I was done, and this project was done. Drum roll, please...
To the residents of Columbus, Oh...This is your Metro Park, and these are your water ways. Feel free to continue as you are, or do something bold. The choice is yours.
Contact Me if you'd like.
-Craig