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A Thanksgiving Poem? by Jan Nelson,? The Mountain Gardener<\/p>\nA Thanksgiving Poem? by Jan Nelson,? The Mountain Gardener<\/p>\n
Once upon a time when our area was under the sea
\nthere were no parks or trails or trees or gardens.
\nI’m thankful that our mountains rose from an ancient ocean
\nand we can now enjoy this beautiful place we call home.<\/p>\n
I’m thankful for the bigleaf maples with leaves as big as saucers
\nand for the giant redwoods that sprouted long ago
\nand the five-fingered ferns that grow lush
\nalong Fall Creek on the way to the old lime kilns.<\/p>\n
I’m thankful for the pond and western turtles who live at Quail Hollow
\nand for the unique sandhills, grasslands and redwoods
\nand for the western bluebirds and other creatures that call it home.<\/p>\n
I’m thankful for the dog park and soccer field at Skypark
\nwhere little kids and dogs both big and small have a place of their own
\nand for the picnic area and Fourth of July fireworks,
\nand the Art and Wine festival and Music in the Park on summer nights.<\/p>\n
I?m thankful also for all our parks from Garrahan, Junction, Highlands,
\nFall Creek, Henry Cowell and Felton Covered Bridge in San Lorenzo Valley,
\nto Lodato, Siltanen and MacDorsa parks in Scotts Valley.
\nEach place is unique and is each one of us.<\/p>\n
I’m thankful for Bonny Doon where I can see both sides of Ben Lomond Mountain
\nand for the Ecological Reserve with its fossilized marine animals and sharks teeth
\nthat are exposed in the mountain made of sand.<\/p>\n
I’m thankful for California’s oldest state park. Big Basin, with its waterfalls and lush canyons
\nand slopes covered with redwoods sorrel, violets, fragrant azaleas and mountain iris
\nand for the banana slugs, marbled murrelets and red-legged frogs who make it their home.<\/p>\n
I’m thankful for the whisper of the wind blowing across the water at Loch Lomond
\nand for the gentle whir of fishing reels along the bank,
\nthick with tan oaks, redwoods and madrone.<\/p>\n
And finally, I’m thankful for friends, family and neighbors
\nwho share the knowledge that in nature life continues.
\nLook around you and be thankful for the bounty, the restfulness,
\nand take time to enjoy these beautiful mountains that we call home.<\/p>\n
I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A Thanksgiving Poem? by Jan Nelson,? The Mountain Gardener Once upon a time when our area was under the sea there were no parks or trails or trees or gardens. I’m thankful that our mountains rose from an ancient ocean and we can now enjoy this beautiful place we call home. I’m thankful for the … Continue reading A Thanksgiving Poem for the Santa Cruz Mountains<\/span>