Monday, Nov. 7: The hardwood trees have lost more leaves since I’ve been here last, and the air smells colder- less of decomposing leaves, and sharper. The sunlight isn’t as warm, but the ferns are still thriving. I come here to escape anxiety and life, and so far my friends the ferns are doing a good job of helping me out. Adding on- I want to express how grateful I am for this spot for somehow supporting me even when I felt alone. Nature is always there for us, if we can access it, and it’s a good friend if you know how to be one back.
Saturday, Dec. 10: The hardwood trees are barren, but the duff is still mostly pine needles. The fallen deciduous leaves have all started decomposing, but the needles remain. Much of the understory is dead or dying, but the intermediate wood ferns are still living their best lives. Rotting wood is brittle to the touch, and there’s frost on the leaves on the ground. There’s some catchweed bedstraw that’s pretty young in the area, which is strange because that plant usually starts growing in early spring- maybe because it’s been such a warm winter so far it’s coming up early. The mushrooms are entirely gone from the area, though- they know what’s up. I heard a blue jay call a few times, and saw a squirrel run up a tree, but other than that wildlife was really nowhere to be heard or found. I’ve seen a couple squirrel nests, but those have been there since summer.
What I enjoy most about my spot is how it allows me to just exist. College life (and life in general) is stressful, and coming to my spot represents the opposite of that stress- it allows me to really observe what’s going on around me, and helps me ground myself in nature. These woods are similar to the woods near my house, and so it reminds me a bit of home when I go to Centennial. I also love the creative opportunities that Centennial Woods gives me. Whenever I go there I bring a sketchbook- there’s always something cool to draw or observe. Oftentimes I take pictures just so I can draw them later.