Women take walk on wild side
Rochelle Williams
Diversity Institute Fellow
03.29.04
Sixteen women walked reverently through the woods Thursday stopping often to squat and sniff the heady, sweet flowers and bend and stroke the supple, fleshy leaves during a spring wildflower hike at the Warner Park Nature Center.
A few said they came to take a long walk and enjoy the sunny, spring day. But most identified themselves as gardeners or nature lovers who came to learn.
They took copious notes as tour guide Deb Beazley identified many of the 400 wildflowers in the park, pausing only to recognize the woods' other inhabitants - bluebirds, butterflies, chickadees, wood-peckers, snakes.
Jane Bridgman, who has been coming to Warner Park programs for 30 years, said she came on the hike to discover new flowers to plant in her garden.
Her friend Elizabeth Queener described walking through the woods as a spiritual experience.
"From the plants and animals, to the soil and rocks, to the sky and water, each thing has a role," Queener said. "And nature reminds you of your role. It puts you in your place."
Warner Park will hold additional spring wildflower hikes on April 1 and April 3 from 9 a.m. — noon. The hikes are free, but pre-registration is required.