Photo by Bill Stokes
By Bill Stokes
Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper thinks he knows the west side of Madison where he has lived most of his life, until friend Donna tells him and Phyllis about a natural treasure in the form of the Oakwood Nature Preserve which turns out to be almost within sight from their Vista West digs.
The four-plus acres complete with natural pond and trails and a great variety of trees and flowers, many conveniently identified, is miraculous for its untouched natural state in the midst of the city’s relentless construction crane infestation.
With the Mineral Point Road traffic muffled by a line of trees, Phyllis and the keeper were blown away at finding themselves at the Preserve’s “Trillium Corner” where there were three species of trilliums in glorious blossom, plus many other wildflowers, some pointed out by volunteer Mary who knows of the unique ins and outs of the preserve’s unique character.
There was a time when being told of a rich fishing hole or a hot hunting spot would have excited the keeper, but learning about the Oakwood Preserve just over the hill has added a dimension to his and Phyllis’s lives.
Thank you, Donna!
Photo by Bill Stokes
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