Fenced In By The Past In Empire Village

When I walk my little plot of land in Empire, invariably I trip over a half buried, broken down fence.  Made of rough hewn tree limbs and barbed wire, it is pretty well camouflaged by a thick overgrowth of vegetation.

After swearing into the wind, I get up off the ground and remind myself why I don't remove this hazard:  Because it's my link to the history of this land and to the people who came before me.

The fence was most likely part of the orchard that covered these hills at the turn of the century.  Or a remnant of Norway Town, a settlement by the lakeshore of Norwegians who worked at the Empire Lumber Company mill during this period.

I like to contemplate that a century ago - someone - filled with hopes and dreams, proudly planted the fence to cordon off their little parcel of land.  And now this land, in the fullness of time and by favorable circumstance, has become my own.  Remarkable.  

I wonder if their hopes and dreams for the land were fulfilled.

Mine are still in progress.

See You Up North,

Chris


                    Visit A Leelanau Landmark:  Your Sleeping Bear Dunes
                    Headquarters and Visitors Center - command and control
                    for the surrounding 70 thousand acre national park.  Here
                    you can obtain park passes and trail guides, talk to rangers
                    and explore the kid-friendly museum and learning center.
                    Located on M-72, just west of M-22 in Empire Village.