So much has happened here at High Reaches since I finished writing “My Ozark Home” leaving the book more nostalgia than reality. As is often true with nostalgia, I miss the place as it used to be.
The Creek
When I was teaching, there was a big aquarium set up as a creek riffle. It had darters, broadhead minnows, crayfish, snails living in it. Those things do still try to live in the creek now, but it is a never ending challenge.
Floods have washed out the banks leaving cliffs along the edges. The small ones are about eighteen inches, but many are over two feet. Deep pools are now moved to other places .
Crossing the creek to the pastures and hills on the other side used to be easy. It is still possible to get across on foot. The tractor can not cross so the hay fields are growing up in brush.
The Bridge
There was no bridge across the creek when we moved here. We put one in using cement pillars and I-beams with planks across it. The goats, us, the tractor could all go across.
The bridge is still there – sort of. One end has been shifted and sunk. Careful placement of planks makes it possible to get across for the goats and us for now.
As the banks continue to wash away, the distance to what is left of the bridge gets greater. Another flood or two and the planks won’t reach anymore.
Old Landmarks
The pile of old stumps is almost gone. Many of the big trees, especially ones along the creek, have fallen.
Not all is gloom. The pawpaw trees are now tall. In a good year, the kitchen overflows with their fruit.
New plants have moved in to replace some that have disappeared. There are times I find even these in new places.
Still, as we have gotten old, the place has gotten old. I’m glad to have my book to remind me of the way the place used to be.