This is my quick sit-sketch of the area. I remember when I first came to this spot, it was hard to wiggle myself into the forest from the trail because of how dense it was. Even though it was so close to the trail it felt secluded. As winter rolled around and all the leafs cover went away, it lost its privacy and all the leaves filled the ground. I wasn’t there to see it when it was snowy but when I returned recently the leaves were starting to come back in. This wasn’t going to be enough for the spot to be secluded though because a decent amount of trees and shrubs near the trail edge had been cut down. Within the area, a lot of trees had seemingly fallen from storms while I had been gone.
I’ve become familiar with the little “cliffs” that surround my spot as well and the exact point I entered the first time visiting. The white oak closest to the cliffs is also very memorable because of its grand size and odd shapes.
The culture surrounding this area is unfortunately not very positive with the nature. It seems like trail maintenance requires trees bordering the trail to be cut down and up on the cliffs if noticed a bit of trash leftover gatherings.
I don’t consider myself as a part of the place. That is probably because I am someone who sees humans as separate from nature so my presence in the spot takes away from its purity. I enjoy visiting nature and being at my phenology spot as an observer of nature, but if I would never want be considered as a part of nature. To me, the area would be tainted by my inclusion.