Today I took a final, rainy walk into Centennial Woods to visit my spot one last time. Before I went down by the brook, I stopped by the American Beech I’ve been watching and it finally has some progress with its buds! When I finally went down to my spot, I didn’t notice any major changes since the beginning of the year. The same logs are over the brook, all the trees are standing, and there is no new growth. The barberry at the edge has leaves again, and the ferns are still bright green even though they have been pushed down by weeks of snow. Some weeds are starting to pop up at various locations throughout the site, and trees like the Norway maple, red maple, and yellow birch are beginning to bud. One difference I did notice was that the stream is flowing much faster and there is new debris in the water. I’ve become familiar with the eastern white pines at my site as well as the barberry that lines the path. Nature and culture intertwine on this path as it is a way for diverse groups of people to have access to my spot, as well as Centennial Woods as a whole. I would consider myself part of my place because I am so familiar with it now, and have seen it through a number of changes. I will miss seeing my spot over the summer, but I am sure that I will come back and visit in the fall.
