Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Hey Red, Ce-dar River

Last weekend I tried to enjoy the good weather by taking a hike. I have a lot to do locally and gas seems to keep drivers (myself included) close to home, so I hiked 4 places around Lansing. Meridian Riverfront Park, Legg Park, MSU campus, and Fenner Nature Center. Two of these locations run along the Red Cedar River. Now, I've been in EL for about 12 years, and never have I seen the river as clean as it was last weekend. To my surprise, I could see feet deep into the water. Rocks, earth, there was even life, Fish, crawdaddys, etc. I'm not sure why I'm just noticing this, as I usually walk over the RCR each day for work. Perhaps its just that season, or the sun was just at the right angle...or maybe the clean up effort that was pitched a couple years ago, actually worked. If that's the case, we need to now keep it clean. No small task, when many people take things like clean water for granted. Especially with Michigan hurting for jobs, the clean river laws may become more laxed to encourage industrial work. Get out and enjoy while you can.

I remember when I first started here, the occasional drunk student would stumble into the river and drown...missing for days, because the water was so dirty. Parents can be assured, that if you kid takes a nose dive into the Red, they can rest easier knowing we can find the body faster.

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