Sarah Goldsmith- Enviornmental Interaction on the Noland

     Although it has been a few weeks since the class excursion to the Noland Trail, I keep thinking of the spot on the trail where we have to climb a hill to look over Lake Maury. That particular day the Virginia clay sharply contrasted the gray sky and drew attention to the Virginia Pines sitting on top of the hill. They stood tall and served as a barrier: one to provide separation between the trail and the lake. The green of the pine made the normal green of the lake more similar to a dark blue. The pine trees held my attention and made me acutely aware of my position in space and time. I was present with the pine trees on the hill overlooking the lake.

    While I have ran that trail many times before, that particular day I was specifically drawn to this spot on the trail. I think it has to do with the particular wisdom that pine trees hold. While other deciduous trees shed their leaves and sleep every year, the pine tree stands tall and witnesses what the other trees can't stand to bear. My favorite song is called Old Pine by Ben Howard. The most beautiful line in the song is, "I've come to know that memories were the best things you ever had." I can't help wondering if the "You" in the song in the same as the "You" for me: the pine trees.