In searching for the human history of my location, I stumbled on some interesting points. My site is very much managed by humans. (Whoops) The grassy field that I found so appealing is managed to provide access to what I correctly diagnosed as a stormwater retention pond for the neighborhood above. In fact, the entire pond appears to be a by-product of the construction of 127 or “The Beltway”. This highway was constructed as long ago as the early 1940s. According to a Burlington Geographic map from 1937, there was no open water in the area. There is some vegetation, and the area is undeveloped. It was in this landscape in which the sea caves were first discovered. They must have made even less sense in a dry field. Following the construction of the Beltway, a pond appeared. This is due to the excavation of the land to race the roadbed out of the swampy valley there. Nowadays, this park is hidden away from the public eye. It is difficult to reach the caves unless the pond is frozen over, and even then, the noisy, bright highway is always visible and audible across the water.

Leaving this place without knowing when I’ll return made me slightly nostalgic. I will miss the memories of standing in the field, observing the passage of time as well as the midnight trek I made into the cave one night. I’m sure I will return to share this natural wonder with others, but I’m not sure when.