Elkhorn Creek, The Intersection of Memories and Reality
Sinuous Lines, Elkhorn Creek
When I arrived at my campsite (literally 100 feet from this spot) at Elkhorn Creek in Kentucky in the late afternoon, I was immediately spellbound. The reflection of the clouds, the arching trees, and the meandering creek all drew me in. Since I only need water and electric, II was blessed to have about five campsites worth of shoreline to myself. This campground intelligently does not allow sewer in campsites abutting the creek. When I looked at the reflections, everything looked like a wonderland. As is almost always the case, upon closer inspection I realized things weren’t all that great.
The Intersection of Dreams and Reality
When I’d looked into the distance, I had mostly noticed the reflections of the healthy trees and cloud patterns. However, when I studied the water directly in front of me, I saw that pollution was rampant. This was no surprise due to all the grass and fields that cover the land in Kentucky. The rocky bottom of the creek was covered with algae, and the tree that was reflected mostly consisted of dead branches. The blue sky and clouds still bespoke a level of optimism, but this scene captured the intersection of my memories or dreams of what creeks should look like and what had come to pass.
Memories of a Simpler Life, Barn at Dusk, Elkhorn Creek
I decided to go for a walk and came upon this scene. In the preceding image, the current state of things predominated, but in this image the barn made me feel nostalgic for a simpler time even though the fields are likely contributing to the degradation of the creek. Perhaps it was the way dusk softens our outlook on things by blurring outlines and suffusing everything we see with a rosy glow.
Remains of the Day, Elkhorn Creek
As the sun got increasing lower in the sky, the most visibility was in the creek itself. When I focused on the reflections alone, I felt the water and trees move in the gentle breeze and the softness of the scene made the moment more fluid.
Collective Memories Reawakened on a Creek at Dusk, 19th Century Nocturne
The darker it got, the more the past seemed to come alive. I could imagine this was how it must have looked at dusk to the first people who discovered this creek.
Dying Branches Illuminated, Is the End Near?
Dying Branches Illuminated, Is the End Near?
But of course so much as changed since the first settlers. Even in out of the way places, acid rain and other pollutants have stressed trees and plants and caused them to become ill or even die. I felt something stir deep inside when I considered the denuded branches of this tree and the small break of blue sky behind the clouds. Death and hope remain balanced for now. The outcome is entirely unpredictable, just like the current situation in our country’s history.
Rope Swing on Elkhorn Creek
In the morning, I woke up and opened the curtain on the back window of my RV and saw this rope swing. I had noticed it the night before, but the water had looked too questionable to make it appealing. As the first light hit the branches on the far shore, it suddenly seemed magical and evoked memories of swinging into the middle of rivers or jumping off branches when I was a child. I was filled with so much joy. Then it struck me how important it is to preserve areas like this, so our children can have intimate encounters of nature and find solace in playing along the banks of creeks and rivers so they will hopefully grow up more balanced and interested in preserving the environment.