We looked forward to our first walk and picnic at Bonshaw this year. It is one of our favourite walking areas and we like to visit it at various times from spring through fall. We hadn’t been there since post tropical storm Fiona blew through late last September and we knew the area had been damaged, but we were not prepared for the devastation.
The playground area is deceptive. There is little visible damage around the open space and equipment in that area and one would think all is well at Bonshaw.
One has to look closely along the perimeter to notice tree stumps. Entry to the main trail breaks the illusion quickly however.
My husband and I were quiet for a long time as we walked the main trail, taking in the sight before us. An area which once had shade from the canopy even before the leaves come out, looked as it it had been clear cut. Words escaped us.
On both sides of the trail, it was the same, an occasional tree survived but most had not. Some trees now make lean-tos with the survivors, prevented from falling by the more stalwart individuals. Other trees took the root systems with them as they toppled, making pancakes of earth and roots which stand vertically now taller than we are.
People had worked hard to open these trails again, as trees across paths had been cut and left along the margins. It will be generations before this area returns to its former glory. Autumn certainly won’t be the same with the canopy destroyed as it is.
Update:
I am undergoing physiotherapy for my left arm and shoulder, injured when I fell off my bike. I am doing better this week but it is slow going. My husband suggested I have a new electric three wheeler however I am not ready to give up the two wheels yet. Now, I realize aging is a reverse of childhood when one is eager to go from three wheels to two. Reluctance is the dominant feeling these days though safety will win the day.
Finally this week, the leaves are almost out on the trees and blooms are out on the trails. Overhead, the blooms and blue sky remind us to enjoy what is!
40 comments:
The trees are beautiful even though some have fallen.
It is so sad to see the destruction.
Speaking of bikes, I won’t be able to ride mine until later in the summer. That’s too bad.
Sorry to see all that damage, but the pretty blossoms help it soften the blow.
Isn't it wonderful to have lovely weather again!
An electric three wheeler will be just fine for you; much safer. (I've never learnt to ride on a two wheel cycle).
There are still areas of destroyed woodland here in central NJ from Sandy about a decade ago. It's good habitat for woodland animals, but a bit sad for humans to see.
What damage there is.
I guess it's all part of the natural order (or disorder) of things. I'd certainly rather see trees that are storm damaged than acres of clear-cut or trees destroyed by imported diseases. I hope that arm and shoulder soon heals and you become mobile again on however many wheels it takes.
The devastation at Bonshaw is tough to see, Marie, but it will be interesting to keep an eye on the process of renewal. This is all part of an eternal cycle after all. Those downed trees will create wonderful habitat for many creatures, feathered and otherwise.
All that devastation is so sad. Sorry to hear that you are still suffering from that fall. We seem to heal slower as we get older.
Oh my goodness, what devastation and how sad. As you say it will take a lifetime for that beautiful walk to recover.
Here's hoping your therapy will bring you back to full health. 2 wheeler vs. 3 wheeler...as long as it gets you out in God's wonderful outdoors...what ever works.
Sue
So sad to see all that damage. Glad to hear you are healing, hopefully it won't take long and then you'll be riding once again.
Heartbreaking.
I hope that your physiotherapy does the trick - and quickly.
Thank you for another lovely outing, despite the sadness.
What a shame; Fiona did a lot of damage. It amazes, though, the resilience of the trees that are left and those that fell will eventually nurture those that remain.
The last photo is simply stunning!
Good luck with your PT.
That's devastating!
Nature can be cruel and destroy some beautiful areas. Yes, it will take a long time for recovery and it will be different.
That hurricane left quite a swath of damage behing,
don't know why my eyes got bit wet on your mention to move on three wheeler dear Marie .if you keep meditating it will make your focus stronger which will be great help in maintaining the balance my friend!
i hope and pray all goes well with your therapy and you recover speedily!
amen
damaged trails made me sad .tree take years to grow but storms uproot them in seconds .Nature is ruthless and there is no place for weak indeed
thank you so much for images of fall branches against sky ,Majestic!
hugs
storms can be so devastating especially when we have such intimate images of the area before the storm. this will be an adjustment, seeing the landscape in this way. i hope bonshaw replaces/replants some pretty trees and this walking path will be what it once was!!
Glorious skyward-looking photos on which to end but how sad about all the fallen trees. But Nature is good at renewing itself.
Sad to see all that damage. Hopefully it will get cleaned up and replaced by a new form of beauty.
I hope that the physiotherapy can solve soon the problems.
Unfortunately the problem at my shoulder is irreversible: I have a inverse prosthesis, I cannot anymore swim for long distances and no more gym at all.
Sad to see the damages but the nature will win again.
We had just been talking to friends about the possible damage we may be returning to. These images are a real eye opener as we have enjoyed numerous walks at Bonshaw.
Your final image fills one with hope. How wondrous is spring?
I hope the shoulder is soon 100%.
Prayers for your good healing,
and a new bike
I am so sorry to see and hear about all the damage. Hopefully the trees and the plants will recover and grow even stronger. Love the last two photos showing both seasons. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
-Soma
Marie, Such an amazing post. You said, “Words escaped us.” I feel the same way about writing this comment. The first thing that comes to my mind: the storm damage is a perfect example of the kinds of effects we can expect from climate change. If only we could get government leaders to see this, and accept it for what it is, we might (emphasis on “might”) start more serious actions to minimize the effect we humans are having on the environment. Regarding your recovery from your bicycle accident, I admire your determination to return to two wheeling. I think all of us out here in the blogosphere wish you the best. John
Never heard term or word "Bonshaw" I might work it in my short story I'm working on.
Coffee is on, and stay safe.
Hello,
It is sad to see the damage, all the trees down and leaning over.
I hope all goes well with your therapy. Take care, enjoy your day!
It will come back! I promise. We had a devastating ice storm in 1998 that took out 60% of the canopy in our bush, plus root tips, breaks, all of that. For the first year we just sawed and chipped to clear the trails. In the second year, the saplings took over, reaching for the sun in newly opened glades. Now you really have to look to see where the devastation was, and the bush is once again a glory in the fall.
Hang in there!
Such devastation is so hard to see, and I can imagine how it must have affected you both. It certainly makes past memories all the more precious, remembering the beauty that was (and that will come again in time). Hope your treatments go well and you are soon top-notch again :)
Oh so much damage with the trees. Best wishes for a good recovery too...and thank´s for your sweet comment on my blog!
Love from Titti
Beautiful photos but saddened by the destruction.
In March 2020 the tornados hit. Ripping so much apart. But a month later we had some straight line winds rip through, they did as much damage with trees as the tornado did.
Sad to see all the damaged trees.
Wishing you a speedy recovery from your injuries.
thinking of you...i hope the physiotherapy went well and that you are resting comfortably!!
Storms and catastrophes of all kinds wreak so much damage, Marie, reminding us of our own fragility. You didn't need to fall to be reminded! I'm so sorry (having been a fall victim myself). Please be kind to your body and allow it to heal, along with doing your exercises. Hopefully your dear island, and YOU, will be spared from anything more this severe year!
I sympathize with you on the loss of the trees and canopy on the trail. My husband and I have enjoyed walking in a nearby nature park for years, but a terrible set of storms destroyed over 1000 large old trees. Unfortunately, there is an ancient sand dune under the topsoil, so the roots just gave way. It has been closed for almost a year, and won't be safe to open until next year. We sure miss it!
I hope that your arm and shoulder will be better soon. I also don't like to talk about aging. We are still young at heart, aren't we?
It is sad to see when nature is destroyed.
Last summer the wind drove a forest fire from the neighboring country into our national park... the destroyed forest looks fertile.
It's good that nature can recover.
Greetings to you. I wish you a good rest.
Hug Viola
I am sure it was startling to see that in purpose, even though you probably knew it would be like that. Seeing is different.
Does it surprise you every time to find out it takes longer to heal/get over stuff as we age? And just simple hurts, hurt worse.
It is amazing how much therapy helps...
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