But the sun shines, the breeze blows, the birds twitter. A car approaches down the soft path. The park's Visitor Service Assistant answers my questions and tells me Arnuk must be tethered. I apologize to the good dog and put the leash on her, then let her run ahead. Soon gravel appears on the path, and I know that we are headed in the right direction.
Long shadows start to fall.
Soon there is a playground for kids, with swings. Even our woods, with their sense of remoteness, play to the tune of suburbia. The uphills of Hacklebarney are just long enough to make me feel like I got some exercise, and the downhills are gentle on the knees. And I experienced a bit of history, too. The original office, maintenance shop, stone outhouses, some cement-anchored picnic tables, and trails were all put in by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's.