Longview, WA 48°F
by John Freeman
Regularly wandering the foot path at Lake Sacajawea lets me observe the passersby, some with their dog or two, or others with a coffee in their hand. Those of us who usually walk at a certain time of day either nod or wave, sometimes saying “Good Morning.” As the days grow shorter and a little colder, there seem to be fewer of us out.
The cold has me wearing gloves and a hat. Others, I notice, especially the women, don’t tend to wear any head gear. I guess it’s because they usually have more hair than us old guys. Walking counterclockwise, I always come to the planetary marker of Pluto first. These markers were placed along the west side of the Lake in 2001 under the auspices of FOG (Friends of Galileo), a local astronomy club. Every planet has its own marker. The first stone with the entire solar system “key” and dedication information is located at the south end of the lake near the YMCA. I fondly recall star parties hosted by the group to look at the moon, stars, and galaxies.
Runaway walkers
Then there are the runners, young and older. I am amazed at their stamina. Some are even running while pushing a one- or two-child jogging stroller and keeping a dog under control.
Speaking of dogs, I really appreciate the fact that all the owners I observe clean up after their dogs have done their “business.” I also observe that many dog owners must feel that their animal needs to roam free. After passing other dog walkers, some owners take their pet off leash. I wonder if they are letting their feelings of not wanting to be tethered themselves influence their actions. I marvel at the range of breeds seen. There are small pugs, bull dogs. collies, dachshunds, labs, poodles, and others breeds I don’t know.
Barren winter is an apt phrase for the lack of foliage around the lake now. The evergreens still are resplendent. The Monkey Puzzle tree on NE Nichols Boulevard is among the greenery with its lizard-like covered branches.
A larch tree I always watch, having lost its needles in a golden burst, is now showing a greening. I didn’t learn until I once was working on a crossword, looking for a five letter word meaning “a deciduous conifer,” that that is what a larch tree is. I think there is only one along the lake bank, located toward the north end of the lake on NE Nichols Blvd. I am also missing the fiery redness of the red maple at the Lake’s edge across from the entrance to R.A. Long High School.
This Spring I am looking forward to seeing the mountain ash tree next to Hemlock Street footbridge bear its red-orange berries again. When I was much younger, the trees along 20th Avenue in the 1200 and 1300 blocks were all mountain ash. The berries are food for cedar waxwings. The trees are all gone now except for one in Vandercook Park. They were removed probably because once the berries started to drop, the sidewalks were covered in a messy orange goo. Still, I miss them there. 
Very shortly, the rhododendron garden near Larch Street will come into bloom again, giving more varied color.
Longview’s underground army
I see that the moles are back in force with their dirt mounds poking up here and there. The occasional blue heron can be seen staring out at the water looking for something to eat. The little black and white buffleheads dipping below the surface and popping up again are fun to watch. Where there were two white geese, the one with clipped wings is gone and in its place is a very large grey goose. The City’s large information boards give picture and names of many animals, birds, and water fowl that may be seen at the Lake. I have seen most of them at one time or another.
Walkers at the lake so far this fall and winter have been very lucky. I am OK with walking in the rain, but not rain with wind. There have not been many days of heavy wind or rain, and no snow. I hope all who wend their way around the lake will take time to look at the trees and animals, as I do, adding a bit of zest to their winter musings.
Do you enjoy walking in the winter? Where is your favorite place to walk? What sorts of things do you notice, marvel at, or find disturbing along the way? Please share your comment in the space below
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John Freeman is a retired high school math teacher who says he is trying to live the good life "as depicted in CRR." He lives near Longview's Lake Sacajawea, where he walks most mornings. He supports community musical and stage porductions and enjoys travel and paying bridge.enjoys playing bridge.
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