Sesqui Saves the City

Wet Foot still has a difficult time saying "Sesquicentennial"...although now she just hams it up.  Sesqui was a park we had explored over and over again throughout the the years as it is relatively close to our house and offers a good deal of hiking.

Sesqui is the parkiest park of them all.  Sesquicentennial is what one imagines when the words "state park" are uttered.  Sesqui is a combination of cookouts with carcoaled hamburgers adn hotdogs, spirited children chasing and racing on, up and through playgrounds, and crowded waters filled with pedal boats and canoes.  the park welcomes families, hikers, bikers and campers.  Sesqui was built as a recreational outlet for the Columbia area by the Civilian Conservation Corps.  A memorial, a boathouse and picnic shelters mark the CCC's presence.

Sesqui reminds one of a favorite aunt, the kind with lots of great stuff and permissive spirit.  She is not glamorous but she is constant.  Sesqui openly offers adventure, exploration and fun.

We have hiked her sandy trails often.  It is a great place to explore even after the rain makes other trails muddy and impassable.  The sand drinks the puddles as they form.  We have attended programs here and broadened our knowledge.  Once during a program about snakes, one of the reptiles tried to strike Anchor through a glass aquarium.  Even though we knew we were safe, the power and force the reptile threw at the glass made us jump in fright.  We have picnicked and cooked out.  We have enjoyed family and strolled around the lake.  If Sesqui coiuld speak, we could sit with her reminesce about birthday celebrations and butterly discoveries, about first nights spend under stars and treasures found in hidden caches.  She would captivate us with stories of bikes and hikes.  She would proudly tell of awareness walks and rides.

Sesqui is historic in and of herself.  She does possess natural beauty but more than that she establishes herrself as a definative and integral part of the Columbia community.  She is a portal transferring her visitors from the hurly burly of stress laden traffic commutes to a land of respite- a place whre one can regain perspective, breathe deeply nad enjoy the sweet simple luxeries of family, conversation , exercise and nature. Sesqui is vital to the Columbia metropolis.  Sesqui centers Columbia.  She serves Columbia.  Sesquicentennial saves the city from itself.