Clearing the Way
On Friday the 13th, I went on a killing spree. My victims were hapless tree saplings and other ground vegetation. Imagine a baseball bat with a 12 inch serrated blade on the end of it. A homerun swing easily wiping out several saplings at a time. Three hours of swinging that blade left countless victims in my wake, and was an environmentalist’s nightmare. But actually, it was for environmental gain that I engaged in such a killing spree. Voorhees Nature Preserve and its three mile trail along the Rappahannock River are intended to inspire a visitor’s appreciation for nature’s awe. Being located in an area of flourishing vegetation during its most thriving time of year, keeping the trail clear is a real challenge for me and my fellow volunteers. After today’s clearing, I was as exhausted and blistered as I had been in a long time, although it was a very satisfying discomfort. I just hope visitors over the next few days appreciate my ...