(With apologies to Rogers and Hammerstein!)
There's a bright golden haze on the meadow,
There's a bright golden haze on the meadow,
The corn thistle fuzz is as high as an elephant's eye,
An' it looks like its climbin' clear up to the sky.
Chorus:
Oh what a beautiful morning afternoon
Oh what a beautiful day,
I've got a wonderful feeling,
Everything's going my way.
There is a beautiful meadow just five minutes from my doorstep - Moore's Meadow - a long gouge in the landscape, ringed round with a high ridge and laced with trails. A glacial kettle, this city park is home to wildlife and is the joy of walkers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers.
Recently, we spent a glorious late summer afternoon circling the meadow on a high ridge to the north and descending to the meadow floor to enjoy the warmth of the sun and the incredible scenery.
We live in bear country, though - black bears, mostly - and spring and fall are the best for bear spotting (or bear caution, depending on one's state of mind). We did spot some bear scat on the trail - enough for me to want to wait until winter to enjoy the park again.
Living in a small city has its drawbacks, but having this treasure so close goes a long way to make up for many of them. And the long path up from the meadow floor makes this a contender for the most scenic exercise equipment!
