Call It Progress

They

call

it

"progress"



as our local gravel roads are cleared, widened, straightened and prepared for blacktop to make driving a smoother trip. But I've wondered about this "progress" as I've watched the men and machines working... clearing the way during the past two weeks.

Today the crew worked farther north. I chose to drive by their now-quiet "progress" while en route into town on an errand.

I applauded their work taking down the bent-over pines – damaged in a spring ice storm years ago. Now more worries about when or upon whom they'll come crashing down.

But then I cringed at the loss of the roadside's wild plum trees and lilac bushes.

Whether the marsh marigolds – nestled in the roadside wetlands – survived the heavy machinery treads is a question only next spring will answer.

Driving up

the winding

foothills' road,

I saw other massive

pines dropped

and piled along the way

to make room

for the road's

realignment...

Here workers will shear down the hill and straighten the road – in hopes that icy conditions no longer will impair the school bus driver's ability to deliver students to their homes.

At this stage, the clearing for the new road was visible while the old road still cuts through the path.

I parked my car and hiked toward the road's new crest.

I noticed remnants of a brush pile from which white smoke had billowed in the sky.

Clearing the way

is a gigantic –

and devastating –

job...

As I reached the hilltop, I turned around.




Taking in

this

new

view,



I understood the wisdom of the road's designers. Not only will this new road be safer, but it will capture a beautiful vista –

one at which the twisting, old road only hinted.

In time, I envision biking with the boys or walking with Moose to this very spot to embrace the scenic pleasure. Ah, yes... Call It Progress.