One of the pleasures of life in Cheney, Washington, is taking a walk through the Eastern Washington University campus to a hilltop overlooking the rolling fields of wheat beyond. I have often thought that the university should create a trail through the fields -- what a superb hike that would allow, leading right from campus into the open country beyond. So I was hopeful when I saw some earth moving equipment "staged" above the parking lot on the edge of the fields.
I was cautiously optimistic when I hiked up to the hilltop late this afternoon. Could it be that we were actually building just the kind of trail which I had envisioned? There were no signs whatsoever at the construction site, indicating what was afoot. I walked down a path cleared by bull dozers through the fields, and here is what I saw. At first glance the trail seemed wider than needed for bicyclists, hikers, or joggers. But I walked on, hoping for the best.
I soon discovered, however, that the scale of this earth-scraping enterprise is far beyond anything needed for a simple trail, friendly to its natural setting. This work has more the feeling of a shopping mall parking lot or a freeway interchange.
And so I ask myself, what will we gain and what will we lose in this bold enterprise? And what is the meaning of all these machines in the garden of our lovely fields? Stay tuned....
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