Go to the Despain Trail which runs along the Utah Lake shoreline behind the camping grounds on Boat Harbor Drive. It's a flat, nature-bound, paved walkway perfect for a breezy bike ride. Plenty of cattle, bird-watching and small airplanes overhead. At the end of the trail is a rest area with a picnic bench--so bring a snack and some lemonade. And please do not forget to enjoy the scent of the Russian Olive trees as you pass by. Snifffffffffffff.
I am c jane, and I used to have the best dog in the whole world, Ralphy Dupont Kendrick (R.I.P).
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10 comments:
I remember those days on your blog! Wow. It seems so long ago...
poor poor ralphy...
i love you courtster. i loved your post on cjane enjoy it. it was so awesome. boy, you have a way with words.
Oh the smell of the great Russian Olive. What the beginning of summer is all about.
I didn't know that trail had a name. I haven't been out there since my single college days. I'll have to take my 3 boys out.
The Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) It is non native to the US. A scourge in Utah and other places. Stop to CHOP IT DOWN, remove all materials, burn the stump and cake it in herbicide! Do not bother to "SNIFF!"
The Russian olive, with its tendency to spread quickly, is a menace. It threatens native species. They are responsible for out competing a lot of native vegetation, interfering with natural plant succession and nutrient cycling and choking irrigation canals and marshlands in the western United States. This displacement of native plant species and critical wildlife habitats has undoubtedly affected native birds and other species. The heavy, dense shade of the Russian olive is also responsible for blocking out sunlight needed for other trees and plants in fields, open woodlands and forest edges. Overall, areas dominated by the Russian olive do not represent a high concentration of wildlife.
In Utah and New Mexico is its classified as a NOXIOUS WEED! Where in California, Wyoming, Nebraska and Wisconsin it is an INVASIVE WEED! Colorado is now very worried about its spread.
It is difficult to control and eradicate due to its ability proliferate, choke out native plants, biological controls have zero effect, pruning and cutting has zero effect.
GET RID OF RUSSIAN OLIVES!
We recently lost a "best" dog too. Argos was our second "best friend". He is now with our first "best friend", Cooper. I can picture them frolicing about, in the best of health, and getting to know your "bestie".
Best,
Bonnie
Uh, I just read "anonymous'" post. While I don't know if what is said is true, I want to say that I usually don't even bother to read "anonymous" comments. If one has something to say, I say "step forward and identify yourself--don't hide behind anonymity".
Best,
Bonnie
It is true they are non-native, grow like weeds and are a pain to get rid of. Still... I am highly influenced by my favorite sense "Smell". One waft can float me instantly to another place and time. It's magical!
I can't imagine a life without the blessed scent of the Russian Olive in it. It's my childhood at the lake, my summers at my Gran and Papa's, my many early morning walks around town with my mamma and hunting with my daddy.
Menace or no, I'll savor the memories that "weed" gives me.
How did you discover the name of the trail is Despain? I am a Despain decendant. I'm also your cousin Louis Pope's wife Krista's sister. Does she know it is called the Despain Trail? Fun facts that I don't know about Provo, thanks.
As anonymous said:
The Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) It is non native to the US. A scourge in Utah and other places. Stop to CHOP IT DOWN, remove all materials, burn the stump and cake it in herbicide! Do not bother to "SNIFF!"
I agree ... even if I don't sniff I will be sneezing and coughing and dying the rest of the day! I also will want to chop it down, burn it and remove any evidence of it ever being there!
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