C. Cleaves-Noland Trail

   I was really excited to go to the Noland Trail for class because I had never been before, but I was not really sure what to expect.  Dr. Redick read a passage from Annie Dillard's novel and set the tone for our class that day. Our mission is to examine various sites while utilizing all of our senses and to record our experience. We start off by looking over the James River and the view is honestly so beautiful.  The loud rushing of the rhythmic water is heard in the background as I get lost in the scenery.  Birds were fighting on the water, gnats swarmed wildly, and the consistent chirp of various bugs were the soundtrack of our visit. But still there is a certain kind of peace in the midst of the natural commotion.Next we examined the leaves of a steel magnolia tree and smelled its fruit.  Later we crossed the street and stood next to a humongous statue.  The sound of runners, cars, and conversation float softly in the air from the road behind us.  We examined shrubbery, trees, leaves etc. More than learning an assortment of facts about these different things, I really just enjoyed being outside and observing.  It's amazing what you can see when you really pay attention.It reminded me of when I was younger and my family and I would go for walks every night after dinner. I always felt so calm and peaceful on those nights.  It was like every part of the trail had an independent story that eventually overlapped.  There was a lot more going on than what you might first realize.  We discussed the age of certain trees, and how recently they died, and which berries were safe to eat and which were not!  As we walked along the path the trees loomed over us like giants.  Squirrels weaved across the trail trying to avoid our loud footsteps invading their turf. Shrubbery grew over the path and hidden stumps became our demise.  There was a small thicket of flowers, which most were dead.  A few remained, though, a bright gold color in a sea of green. So many other people were interacting with the trail as well, all with a different goal in mind.  There were serious runners that we made way for, and a sweet young family enjoying an early evening stroll.  I wondered if this was a normal routine for many of them or if this was a new journey for others.  After a while of traveling down the path we were sent on our own to discover and experience new things. I stayed next to the lake for a little bit and just stared aimlessly at the trees and the algae on the water, once again, lost in the scenery.  I found my way back down the path and stopped and sat at the base of a huge tree with a group of other students. I sat their and thought about the beginning of class and it turned out to be something more than what I was expecting.  I felt like I could stay out there for hours- no words are needed.  I jot down a few thoughts in my notebook and before you know it I see the rest of the class approaching and it's time to go.  I head back to my car and prepare to drive away.  Maybe next time I will get to hear the rest of those stories.

M Setness- Nolan Tail

September 27th, 2013

I show up to class at the Lion's Bridge this past Thursday in a Tommy Hilfiger mini, Cream Sweater, and Justin boots-- mentally writing the day's class off before is starts, I'm in a mindset of "hurry up and get this over with", because I have to go to my internship after class. I feel semi guilty before the class begins because I want to put the effort into the class yet I often feel lost and in another world. Class begins over the spill way into the James River. I'm immediately taken back by the water color sky as the sun runs west, I've always had a weak spot for aquatic settings. I take notes as Redick suggests and note the sound of rushing water as well as waves lapping at the shore. As small and "ugly" the bank of the James may be, I have the urge to go sit in the sand... Over the river a Blue Heron soars and glides to the rivers surface, I anticipate a stealth catch of a fish but it proceeds out of view. I try to "get into nature" but am distracted by "native war painting" Redick displays to our class. I look back down to the bank and it's shrubbery and notice a small bird perched on a flimsy limb snatching berries from surrounding bushes. Once again my "getting in touch with nature" is distracted by the sounds of a barking dog and passing cars. We move on to the Magnolia tree and I apply my Botany skills and notice the cutical present on the magnolia leaves, the tree smells green and reminds me of a Christmas Tree. The class progresses to the trail and I notice the start is not a dirt trail but crushed shells. I want to pick up a half broken one, but resist and look up instead. There's a Dogwood ahead and it makes me think of my grandma, back in Oregon she'd take us on hikes in the woods and identify different plants, expressing all of her botanist  knowledge. Through the branches I can see geese fly over the lake and hear their distinct calls echo off the water. As we progress down the trail we are regularly split as the Red Sea to let trail runners by, many of which display military paraphernalia. At the back of the group I miss a talk of a thorn bush and example, a classmate startles me by offering it towards me, it falls to the ground. I feel bad and pick it up only to be pricked by the tiny thorns covering the stem. The trail curves and a sad looking garden area is exposed from the trees. All the flowers seem to be dead. The trail snakes to a pond. As we walk I look up and the trees look as they all shoot straight up into infinity. Ivy and small vines snake and curl around the trunks up to the sky. One tree shades the path with large holey heart shaped leaves,  next to it are small spiney trees that tickle to the touch. Redick "releases" us much to my horror to explore on our own. Not bringing my bug spray and not wanting to ruin my outfit for my internship, I cautiously stray from the path to view the lake better and to snag a few picture for instagram. I head back down the trail, but try to notice the little things as I walk. I see bright purple berries attached to a green leafy bush, noticing the contrast of green to purple in the dimming light. I walk on and find star shaped leaves creating a canopy over my head. Once again at the statue the sunset amazes me. Do you every just sit and wonder how something in nature can look so beautiful? I walk back to the bank of the James, dropping my bag in the grass and walking straight to the sand. My heels slip under me as I continue to the very edge of the water. The bridge has twinkling lights along it in the evening light. I walk over to a down tree and perch myself on it to take in the view. Broken slabs of concrete surround me and I wonder how they got there. I climb over to the rocks and discover a colony of black crabs scattering into the rocks to hide from me. Deciding to leave them alone I walk back to my tree and notice two wave lines of green algae.  The light is fading and my ride should be coming to pick me up any minute. I turn one last time to look over the river and take in its serenity, I take a shore river picture (once again for instargam), grab my bag and head back to campus.