This is Standing Bear Lake, named for Chief Standing Bear. I walk the shorter path of 40 minutes as many mornings during the summer that I can and when I have time during the school year in the evenings. There is a longer path on the south side that I take when I can, it takes about an hour and 15 minutes to walk. During summer mornings, I often share this space with fishermen and women. This summer, I saw the same man sitting in the bed of his white pickup truck feeding birds and squirrels. I often wondered if he waited for me, expecting me everyday or what he thought on the days I wasn't there. We never even said hi to eachother.
Often in the evenings, I can hear and see miniature airplanes that some people fly around the lake. There is a spot on the southside where I believe people convene to fly their planes together.
As we look for a new house, I desperately want another place like this to be able to walk to and escape to.
Hi Jenny – All of your blog entries are good, but I think this one about Standing Bear Lake is my favorite. It really reminded me of how walking the same path in the same place – as the seasons change, as the weather changes, as things in your own life change – can be such a source of comfort and insight, as you can contemplate both the familiar and the new. I think you’re right, feeling “at home” somewhere happens when you can find a path to walk that is your own. I am looking for my path in Lincoln, and I wish you luck in finding yours as you look for a new house!
ReplyDeleteI also love the character you mention, the quiet man feeding the animals…like the anecdote you tell about taking the job at Burke, this bit of human interaction really shows your sense for detail and for telling the story in a place.
Hi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteYour walking path reminds me of my own walking path experiences—and the ways teachers lives, depending on summer vs. school year, affect our patterns. I’m intrigued by the ways this place changes depending on time of day, time of year, etc. It makes me want to analyze my own walking route in similar ways. This also reminds me of something Deep Mapping has helped me and my students do—think about the routes we “travel” each day and what we see/don’t see along the way.
I also loved you observations about your cornfield view. I miss seeing sunrises and sunsets in my hilly part of Omaha—so I’m very jealous! Plus I like the idea of views—from our different places. Another idea for my future deep mapping attempts with my students—thanks!
Are you the one who worked with Jenny Troester and Robert last year? It was so cool to see photographs of your experience on the NeWP website! Hope to meet you in person in the near future. ☺
Mary