October 31, 2018

Favorites October 2018

Question: How lucky can I be to live near some of my favorite places on the planet?

.

Answer: Very lucky.

The trails of Phelps Park are magical spaces that should really be in a movie. Autumn is an especially beautiful time in these hills, I feel transported into another time and space. I very much expect to see hobbits and elves here, and of course I intermittently look over my shoulder for any orcs that may be lurking in the shadows, but mostly what I see are squirrels, bunnies, and deer.

This park is full of CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) stonework built during the Depression. Some updating and maintenance has happened but in general it’s amazing how well the nearly ninety-year-old work has held up, we’re lucky to live amongst this legacy that affected so many lives. More of these beautiful stone structures of the CCC can be found all over the country—-author, filmmaker, and songwriter Bill Jamerson keeps the history alive in his songs and presentations focusing on the work of the CCC in the Upper Midwest, check out his site and his shop.

May you have a good week of celebrating–Halloween, Dia de los Muertos, birthdays, and whatever other holiday you may keep!