I went searching for birding opportunities yesterday
afternoon and discovered this gem of a trail, lined with fungi and ferns,
literally minutes away from my home in Salemtowne. Spring Valley is managed by the Oregon Parks
and Recreation Department as an access point on the Willamette River Greenway. But
what caught my attention was this obscure trail that appears to be receiving attention
and improvements by the Salem Area Trail Alliance. The area is thick with a
variety of trees, oak, maple, ash and fir, and winds pleasantly through the
flora giving me the impression of being deep in the woods. In fact it brought
to mind a story I read years ago about “the near-by far-away”. This describes this trail perfectly; less
than six miles out Wallace Road from my home, yet far enough away to isolate me
from cars, roads, and houses and allow only the sights of nature to fill my experience.
The afternoon was quiet and birds where a little scarce, but a group of busy little
Golden-crowned Kinglets topped off my time here, and I’m sure I will be back.
Very nice!
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