All things must come to an end, and with the bittersweet end of the semester comes the end of this project!
My spot over time:
Although this place has changed over the phenological timeline, some things stay the same, like the smell of the nearby wastewater facility, random bits of trash, metal and brick and the ever present evidence of erosion. Ok, but it’s not all bad, this bank has plenty of things to celebrate, like the slow regrowth of ferns and grasses, the nearby sugar maples getting their leaves back, and reemerging creatures and song birds. Compared to the fall, there is more trash and debris washed up on the bank, most likely carried by the rising levels of water as the rainy season continues. You know what they say, April showers bring….. Vermont mud season???
Major landmarks
Admittedly, I almost forgot where my location was every single time. It’s located towards the end of the Winooski River walk, so it would take a minute, but once I saw the 2 giant sugar maples splitting the trail in half, I knew I made it. Plus, I always could identify my little riverbank by its composition of old mill bricks. So unique!
Nature and Culture
The riverwalk along the Winooski river is extremely intertwined with human culture and interaction. This trail gets a decent amount of foot traffic, as it provides a lovely gentle hike with a pretty view of the river. The riverwalk begins at Salmon Hole, which is located extremely close to industrial downtown Winooski. I hate to say that a good chunk of the human-nature interactions here are negative. There is a saddening amount of trash and pollution as a result of its proximity to the road and to multiple mills and wastewater facility plants. There are actually some people that have set up temporary camps along the trail and near my location, and I’m curious whether that has a negative effect on the environment or on hikers, but my experience was relatively unaffected (except in the first week I was yelled out from a disembodies voice and given a rather ominous warning)
Am I a Part of this Place?
I don’t think I would say I am a fundamental part of this place, honestly the vibe felt more like I was a frequent adventurer to this place. I got to know my own small location and the broader Salmon Hole area pretty well and I would say that this little bank will always be important to me and my education as an NR student. I have developed a relationship with this place, but I do not claim ownership or belonging over it.